How Do I Roll with Bigger Opponents?

The Short Answer

Against bigger opponents, prioritize speed and angles over strength, focus on position before submission, master your escapes, and choose guards that create distance or control their posture.

The Reality Check

Let's be honest: size matters in grappling. A much larger, equally skilled opponent will be difficult to handle. But BJJ was designed to help smaller people deal with size, and these strategies genuinely work.

Fundamental Principles

Speed Over Strength

You can't match their power, so don't try. Move faster, transition quicker, hit techniques before they set their weight.

Position Before Submission

Against bigger people, establishing and maintaining good position is even more important. An armbar attempt that fails against someone much larger often ends with you getting smashed.

Patience

Don't panic under pressure. Wait for openings rather than fighting desperately.

Frames and Distance

Create barriers between you and their pressure. Good frames buy you time and space.

Best Guards Against Bigger Opponents

Closed Guard

When it's locked, their size advantage is somewhat neutralized. They can't pass while your legs are around them.

De La Riva / Collar Sleeve

These guards create distance and give you lever arms (their own legs) to manage their movement.

Lasso Guard

The lasso grip can control a larger person's arm effectively and set up sweeps.

Butterfly Guard

Hook their legs and use their forward pressure against them. Bigger people often fall forward too eagerly.

Avoid: Half Guard Bottom

Being flat in half guard under a much bigger person is miserable. If you play half guard, use knee shield to create space.

Passing Bigger Opponents

Speed Passes

Toreando, leg drag, and long-step passes work well. Get around their legs before their weight settles.

Don't Get Stuck

If a pass stalls against a bigger person, disengage and try again. Getting stuck in the middle = getting swept or reversed.

Use Their Aggression

If they're grabbing at you, redirect their energy into your passing movements.

Submissions That Work

Chokes Over Joint Locks

Bigger people can sometimes muscle out of armbars. Chokes don't care about strength - once it's sunk, it's sunk.

Attacks from Back Control

Getting the back eliminates most of their size advantage. Work toward back takes.

Guillotines

When they shoot or drive into you, the guillotine is available and effective.

Leg Locks

Leg attacks can level the playing field. Their bigger legs are still vulnerable to heel hooks and kneebars.

Survival Strategies

Master Side Control Escapes

You will get put in side control. Get very good at escaping it calmly.

Breathe Strategically

When they're on top, you need to manage your breathing under pressure. Don't hold your breath.

Choose Your Battles

Sometimes surviving is winning. Not every roll needs to be offensive.

Create Space Constantly

Never stop hip escaping, framing, and creating space. The moment you rest, their weight settles.

Mental Approach

It's Good Training

Rolling with bigger people makes you technically better. Appreciate the learning opportunity.

Adjust Expectations

You might not submit the 250lb blue belt as a 150lb white belt. Surviving and escaping are victories.

Don't Get Frustrated

Size advantages are part of reality. Techniques that work against smaller people require adjustment.

Ask Bigger Partners to Flow

Especially when there's a huge size difference, suggesting a lighter pace is completely acceptable.

Common Mistakes

Matching Force

Trying to bench press them off you. This exhausts you instantly.

Giving Up Position

Getting frustrated and abandoning good position to attack.

Avoiding Big Rolls

Training only with similar-sized partners limits your development.

Going Too Light

Not committing to techniques because you're intimidated. Commit fully to what you attempt.

The Long Game

As your technique improves, size matters less. Purple and brown belts regularly handle much larger beginners. Trust the process and keep training.