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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the few combat styles that favor tall and short-height fighters equally. Since all BJJ fighters train extensively and also follow an intense fitness routine, we know that these tall guys would be the epitome of strength as well.
Greater strength and size could provide some advantage but they are no alternative to a razor-sharp skill set. The pioneers of BJJ – members of the Gracie family – have given us enough proof about that.
The most significant fight that comes to my mind while writing this post is between BJJ legend Rolls Gracie and 5-time US Wrestling Champion Bob Anderson. Anderson was a tall and burly wrestler and found it difficult to believe that a lanky guy of small stature such as Gracie could be the invincible champion of Rio de Janeiro. The two engaged in a friendly fight that ended in Rolls Gracie easily dominating the much taller and stronger Bob Anderson.
Another miracle happened in 2015 at the stage of the Abu Dhabi World Pro semi-finals. The world witnessed Mackenzie Dern, who weighed around 115 pounds, defeating the gigantic Gabi Garcia who weighed in at more than 200 pounds.
These tales of implausible success should be enough inspiration to make you believe that your short height could be a weapon in your BJJ arsenal as long as you know how to use it well. With adequate training and execution of the right BJJ techniques, you can grapple and control the fighters twice your height.
BJJ Techniques to Submit Your Taller Opponents
Most athletes lose the bout before even entering the mats. They believe that their taller opponent is unbeatable and lose focus on things that they can control. If your opponent is greater in size, and strength, and matches your skill level then there is a possibility that he/she may overcome you. But if your BJJ skills are advanced then nothing can stop you from ruling the mats. Not even their height.
Almost all contests of BJJ end up in a submission technique. It is important to isolate the vulnerable body parts or “targets” to secure submissions. But to reach that point in-game, we need a strong strategy. The human body holds the majority of strength in the lower body. So the legs of short-height athletes would be stronger than the arms and upper body of taller athletes. Utilize this principle in your game strategy and base your attack on the upper body of your taller opponents. But if your opponent’s arms are the same size as your legs then don’t apply joint locks.
Another important feature to consider is that tall people can apply a greater force from above. Avoid all situations where you can get trapped beneath them. Hence, prevent them from attaining mount positions. Pulling taller opponents in a guard position is not a wise move either.
Alright enough with the don’ts, let’s discuss all the BJJ submission techniques for short fighters that can be used against taller opponents.
Use Rear Naked Choke in BJJ
The rear-naked choke is a ruthless BJJ submission that is applied from the back without using the gi. When applied correctly, the rear-naked chokes leave the opponents immobilized. They can reduce the flow of blood from the heart and also disrupt the oxygen supply to the brain. Whenever you find yourself against a taller opponent look for a way to strangle him/her from the back via a rear-naked choke.
Use Guillotine Choke In BJJ
Whether you are on the ground or in a standing position, you can overcome your opponent with a guillotine choke especially if your opponent decides on a takedown. The guillotine choke utilizes collar grips and can prevent the flow of oxygen to the lungs. This powerful chokehold can leave your opponent unconscious in less than ten seconds if applied correctly.
Use Triangle Choke In BJJ
There are multiple variations of the triangle choke. It can be executed from any BJJ position. Usually, the triangle choke is applied from the guard position. But pulling a guard is not feasible for short fighters. However, when applied from the back, it cannot be defended easily and gives an unparalleled advantage to short-height BJJ fighters.
Armbar Failed? Go Bow and Arrow
Most of the time an armbar fails against taller opponents. In that case, the skilled BJJ fighters transition to a powerful bow and arrow choke that utilizes a lapel or collar grip. Short BJJ fighters can set up the bow and arrow technique from the rear position if their armbar setup fails.
Fighting No-Gi Style? Use Heel Hooks
The strict rules of IBJJF forbid a BJJ fighter from applying heel hooks in the gi environment. However, in No-Gi style BJJ, heel hooks are legal and absolutely lethal. So, use this great submission technique to overpower and submit your taller opponent.
Extra BJJ Tips to Counter Extra Size & Strength of Your Opponent
Use Their Size to Your Advantage
Bigger and stronger athletes usually tire out easily. Your job is to keep up the attacks without breaks. Tire them out, sap their energy, and secure your submission technique to win the bout.
Guard Retention
Guard retention is a great method to slow down your opponent. Your opponent would have to obtain a certain angle to pass your guard. Now you might think that with your short legs you won’t stand a chance. The art of guard retention lies in keeping your opponent from making the angle that would help him/her to pass the guard. You can do this by facing your opponent at all times.
Use Gi Grips
Gi-BJJ provides an added advantage to shorter athletes. When confronting a taller opponent, apply gi grips – lapels, sleeves, pants – and counter their guard passes. With gi grips in place, you can apply different submission techniques to beat your opponent.
Back Attacks
Where top positions benefit taller BJJ fighters, the rear positions work best for short fighters. The submission techniques applied by short fighters from the top are overpowered but a submission technique applied from the back mount seldom goes wrong. Use this tip against a taller training partner the next time you are on the mats and see the magic work.
Leg Attacks
Practice leg attacks to keep your opponent’s body weight away from you. Once your opponent is entangled between your legs, he cannot use his strength and height against you and this should be enough opportunity for you to secure submissions.
Takeaway
Don’t be intimidated by the tall guys on the mats. A well-practiced strategy and well-developed BJJ skills can help you overpower them in any bout. If you consider all the BJJ techniques and tips discussed in this article and train accordingly then you can easily control your taller opponents.
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