The Worst BJJ Advice to give to Strong People

“Jiu Jitsu overcomes strength with technique” “Stop using so much strength, I can’t use my techniques!”

[@cesaralvesdemoraes3187]

Lol

[@isthi000ify]

🤣💯

[@jeff6133]

Based

[@detectivepenegrande]

more of a neck crank

[@jeffmoore4940]

Jiujitsu has to be the only place where, "you're strong!" is an insult.

[@badxradxandy]

Planet Fitness kind of is as well with their "lunk alarm"

[@jrtien]

Chinese culture seems to think that being muscular and strong somehow makes you dumb.

[@badboypiper]

Nope I take that as a compliment I’m a strong as shit and it doesn’t hurt that I have pretty decent techniques keeps me out of a lot of trouble with super high-level guys.💪🏼

[@jrtien]

@@badboypiper strength is an asset no matter what right?

[@Kev.in1997]

And things like "wow you feel heavier than you are" are a compliment :D

[@Dizzyjon]

I’m a 5’2 130 pound guy who’s been training since I was about 14 and I’m 23 now. I have heard this being told to many of the bigger dudes in my gym and as a kid I liked it cause it gave me more of a chance but as I got older I realized that I wanted to fight these strong guys when they’re not taking pity on me. As small as I am everyone is going to be bigger than me and maybe to an extent stronger than me. If I don’t learn to deal with someone’s strength in my own way I’ll never feel able to defend myself. Hindering the big guys hinders the small guys’ ability to learn how to deal with big guys cause it is possible. There isn’t a single person in my gym who I’m afraid of rolling with and likewise there isn’t a person in the gym who thinks I’m an easy target. Let others grow to grow yourself

[@claycoppinger2983]

Heck yeah. It’s best for us when our partners DO use all their strength. If my jiu jitu can’t deal with a strong guy… I want to know about it so I can make some adjustments!

[@ronronnie7175]

tiny human

[@ClipsFromMaine]

I’m 6’1” and get smashed buy little technically sound guys. And I’m only 170, but I sure as hell don’t hold back. Unless it’s literally a 90lbs newcomer.

[@Dizzyjon]

@@claycoppinger2983 exactly! 99% of the reason I’m there is to make sure I feel prepared just in case someone of any size threatens me. That won’t happen if The huge guys use half their strength

[@ClipsFromMaine]

@@ronronnie7175 why. Just why?

[@AndrewDotsonvideos]

"Match their strength, and then do jiu jitsu with them" was the advice I was given when rolling with smaller people and so far it's really helped me slow down and think while rolling. No one says how to do that exactly though. But now I think I have a bad habit of letting go of arm bars and other submissions when I think I'd need to use too much strength to break their grips.

[@peteypablo09]

Then learn ways to break grips that would work no matter their strength/size and use those methods no matter how big they are! I am a smaller guy and on the rare occasion I roll with someone smaller (usually women or teenagers) that’s what I do. I’m already used to using it on the big guys and I know it works, so I use that same technique with minimal strength on the ladies/kids and don’t have to worry that I’m muscling too much 🙂

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

Are bicep slicers allowed in BJJ? Something like that could be an example of what Petey suggested. But I get it...if you can just crank it out a bit and it works? I don't think that's an bad habit, either.

[@dylanhallahan4633]

lol worlds colide funny seing your comment. You should totally make a video about BJJ! I totally get where you're coming from. I wrestled in high school and was a lot bigger than pretty much everyone at my gym. I think I'm ok at tuning down my strength. Letting submissions go isn't the end of the world I think it will be easy to fix. My problem is that I can pretty reliably smash pass into arm triangle or keylock. I'm not sure if I should be working on refining what I'm good at or working on something I suck at like my bottom game.

[@cameronforbes2649]

I recognize that tendency. Sometimes smaller people are the biggest violaters of that rule about matching people's energy, but it's understandable when they are getting their ass kicked much more often by brutes. As others have said, bicep Slicers, Tarikoplata, and Barataplata are really good options when someone contracts their arms. You could also arm drag to the back off a lot of attacks. It's worth it in the end when people realize you are a martial ARTIST and not just strong. Being able to roll with anybody big or small, young or old, new or experienced is much better than being a one dimensional person (focused on MMA, Submission only grappling, etc).

[@MrCmon113]

That's not how movement works anyways. Your body automatically uses as much strength as it needs. It's not sth you do consciously. If you want to consciously control that you need to practice it.

[@dee1307]

I’m smaller and I’m a girl and I don’t have a problem with them using strength as long as it’s with technique and they are not rag dolling me. I think it’s fine to use strength as long as you don’t go too overboard on your opponent based on what they can take.

[@allyourbase888]

As a big guy who loves top game, I’ve often been accused of using strength when I’m using pressure. Apparently it bothered enough people that my concerned instructor, who is 70 lbs lighter, singled me out to roll. About half way through the round he shouts out to the class while laughing, “he’s using pressure not strength you guys!” I was embarrassed folks were complaining but happy my instructor set them straight and let me know I was on the right track. Breath is my guide for knowing if I’m over relying on physicality vs technique.

[@BlurpGooDiJabba]

lol "accused of using strength" strength is good.

[@MrCmon113]

There's no "pressure" without strength. If there was a 100kg sack of rice on top of you, you'd get out without problems.

[@soundofsamadhi5994]

I’m a 48 year old 155 pound grappler who spent the first six years of my Jiu Jitsu journey training with guys pushing 300 pounds. Something that struck me as I neared my purple belt was the difference between efficient use of strength, speed, etc. vs. unnecessary use of strength. One of my favorite training partners outweighed me by at least 100 pounds, but he only used enough strength / weight to challenge me, which included making my life uncomfortable at times. On the flip side, I had a training partner that I eventually had to avoid rolling with because he took every opportunity to expend every ounce of energy to the point of causing me minor injuries a couple of times. The key, I think, is understanding how to use the tools in your toolbox properly and safely. If I’m rolling with a big, strong person, I don’t begrudge them their attributes unless they use them in a way that puts me at risk or prevents me from getting anything out of the roll at all. Conversely, I hate it when big, strong training partners go WAY to easy on me. I don’t mind tapping to someone bigger than me, nor do I mind being faced with a challenge. Frankly, it’s a lot of fun if you have the right partner.

[@whateveritwasitis]

once you get comfortable with someone alot of this goes out the window, you want to push them nor is there any kind of ego ; its already been established whos stronger and quicker and you just work from there. i can say that 2 years on as a hobbyist i only got close once to a true partner. it hurts alot, seems everyone has one but me and i know it comes in leeps and bounds once you got a steady partner. our gym motto is "steal hardens steel" so it makes it even worse.

[@MrCmon113]

Personally I just choose a submission in my head and then use the weaker person as a dummy.

[@themusclewizard]

Oh, man. As an elite powerlifter who is also on the cusp of blackbelt- I have dealt with these crappy "compliments" forever. I used to get really bothered by it. But at this point my response to "wow, you're really strong!" if usually something like "thanks, you could be too if you worked at it". I don't ask super flexible guys not to use their flexibility on me. Strength is a SKILL that takes a lot of effort to develop. If anything, hey, you're welcome that you have to train to deal with my strength. So when it happens in a tournament or real life, you have prepared some. Guys like big Rich at your school, guys like me- we are out there.

[@ChrisSlowens]

AMEN!! 220 lbs former collegiate wrestler here and I get this constantly from blue and white belts. The funny part is, I have a rare and incurable autoimmune disorder that literally destroys every muscle in my body... so, ironically, many of the people complaining are actually stronger than me... I just know how to use leverage from the 10+ years of grappling experience they're completely discounting lol

[@Arcadianx98]

But you still have 220 pounds to work with lol.

[@ChrisSlowens]

@@Arcadianx98 ok lol... I get the same shit from the 200+ lbs guys too. I'll be down to 180 soon. Can't wait to stop hearing the excuses lol

[@leonidasnm161]

Do you have Stephen Hawkins’ ALS bro? Hopefully not

[@ChrisSlowens]

@@leonidasnm161 thankfully, no. It's incurable but manageable with meds. Basically I'm on immunosuppressants so my body can heal itself faster than my immune system can destroy it.

[@Ynotbjj]

I definitely been understanding a lot more with the “using strength” I’m the biggest guy in my gym by about 30-40lbs in my case my coach told me to slow down and utilize my pressure and strength in the right way I’m lucky to the point that I haven’t been told this but I know of people who have.

[@simonmasson-dupras3946]

Just be aware of your extra strenght and extrra weight over other (smaller people) I got hurt once by someone passing my side and he was going for the inverted triangle The thing is that he had one knee on my ribcage instead of my belly Short story .. i got hurt for a month And i tapped before he was able to get the inverted triangle from side. Control

[@jerrylashway4597]

I was a 270lb power lifting purple belt (now I'm a 215lb black belt) in my 50s. I used to get the cries of it's just because you're big. To the point it stunted my development because I over compensated. At brown belt 2 stripes I really had to work on my pressure again! Great video Chewy!!

[@Azurelightning05]

This goes VERY VERY under reported. telling someone to intentionally go lighter on someone makes them develop really bad habits that will need to be unlearned later.

[@1jakedizzle]

I always go lighter than I can and it makes the people I’m rolling with look better and me worse!

[@connoisseurofcookies2047]

To me it's a matter of being selective with rolling partners. Although I don't really refuse rolling with anyone I tend to only deliberately match up with either a) Guys my size or bigger or b) partners with whom I already have rapport. I'm strong for my size (260kg deadlift @86kg bw) so bigger partners don't really think they have to go easy on me.

[@vaughnordakowski8774]

P

[@jackjack4412]

@@Azurelightning05 what habits can this form? I don't understand how technique would suffer from using less weight pressure and strength.

[@BloodOneEight]

I'm generally bigger than most people at my gym. (6'3 230lbs) I've heard this sentiment before and I must admit its conditioned me to go a little softer sometimes; and even give some positions to smaller opponents. I sometimes feel like if I use my strength too much people might start to think I'm a bit of a "rough" roll and avoid me. But I also feel like I give things up I should not be giving up sometimes.

[@Jamoni1]

Give them enough pressure and dominate long enough that they know what's possible. It's fine to do catch and release as long as they understand what's happening.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

@@Jamoni1 well said

[@hugomcdinosaur5273]

Feel the same here. I had people flat out refuse to roll with me (that I never met before) because "they didn't wanna go heavy". On the other hand I had smaller people complaining I was holding back too much. It's a balancing act, you need control to train with beginners and smaller people, but you need to use your pressure game with more experienced folks.

[@brennanschultz9645]

Same here. I learn more from the bigger guys at my gym because I don't have to second guess if I'm going "too hard" on them

[@icenic_wolf]

I just try to use the minimum amount of strength to make a technique work every time. I'm not sure if it's because I'm lazy, nice, want to avoid injuring other people, or that I just want to make sure that my technique is as good as possible, but that's the compromise that I use (with the caveat that if it's possible to injure someone if I overcome their strength with mine, that I'll usually try to find some other way instead of removing their arm from their shoulder socket).

[@honestabe4027]

This has been my favorite video bro. I've been told so many times. It's ridiculous. I took it to heart and actively tried not to use strength at all but after some years doing this now I just bull through people and let it be.

[@No_ElMinja]

My guard was passed during a drill because my partner said "hi five" and I instinctively put my hand up. He did not win for strength or technique...but through shear chad like strategy. I still think about that.

[@zvazz2842]

lmaoo

[@jed2481]

My coach gave me the nickname Powerman... As he says I am 'Using my strength all the time. He never really defined it as much but did say that I need to rely on technique more. That when we are exhausted is the best time to roll... Now, after a knee injury which needs surgery, I am only rolling lightly and with a high degree of caution. Now I have no choice but to deal with my 'strength issue' in accordance to what he as actually meaning. Thanks Chewy, you da man. This adds to my understanding of what it means to use strength with a different take on it and concept explication.

[@mikegawlik7784]

Yep told a while ago. I just figured out how much to use when needed. And what I found was my timing improved by being more relaxed in strength because the technique improved

[@SamuraiKidMusic]

39 year old 140 pound purple belt here. When sparring outside of hard competition sparring, I advocate for doing it in such a way that both partners improve. If I'm too strong and smashing someone during a 5-minute roll, I'll pump the brakes here and there so that they can work a bit of technique. During those types of rolls I'll also spend more time on new techniques.

[@simaosalad]

I'm a light guy, 135 pounds and I totally agree with your point of view. As a beginner I'd get frustrated if some big guy just benchpressed me out of side control, but in the long run it made me better. Big guys are the main reason light guys get so technical at jiu jitsu!

[@toasteddanish4883]

I'm 6'3, 270 pounds and I just started BJJ about 2 months ago to try to lose weight and get in better shape. This was great to hear, since I get scared I'm using too much strength on smaller people. People at my gym have actually told me I should use more of my strength, so I haven't had the problem you were talking about, but I'm still trying to learn the right balance of when to apply certain amounts of strength, and I get worried I'm overdoing it sometimes. Also, congrats on 300k!

[@azirmaozao627]

dude, I can relate. I'm 6'3 and 280lbs. I'm 18 months in and i still find myself holding back on my pressure. My training partners constantly coaching me to not hold back. It's definitely a mental block that's hard to let go of when I have a 100lbs advantage even if I'm a white-belt and my training partner is purple or brown.

[@benjaminpeers7985]

@@azirmaozao627 that mental block is spot on!!! I know exactly what you mean my partners push me to put the pressure on but as soon as I roll with the next guy those mental blocks back up

[@paperfart3988]

Well you just don't want to be one of those people that learns a little bit and then relies on strength to get it done instead of continuing to sharpen technique. Strength or size are great advantages to have but once you're competing with guys your size you'll find out real quick if you've been relying on strength or not lol

[@chriscrew4478]

Same, I'm a month in and have no clue where its appropriate to use strength or not. But erroring on the side of caution doesn't bother me too much.

[@Christopher_Boyd]

"You only won because you're stronger." Yep, and when I get told that I now just shrug and say "Get better then." It takes time to get stronger just like it takes time to get good at techniques. My strength is part of my technique. I'm not going to strop strength traing just so I spend extra time doing techniques. Thx again for the video. Always good insight.

[@OutdoorAllfather]

6'7" currently 250lbs here and only about 9 month into my jiu jitsu journey. In my gym I've never been scolded for being to strong or heavy. I'd say I'm a hyper aware person, I try not to crush someone if they are smaller or it's no fun for anyone. The only thing I have been told from my Professor is "technique only" but only when I get paired up with a 120lb person and quite honestly he hasn't said it in more than a few months because I think he knows I won't crush a smaller person anyhow. Now, for the guys my size in my gym, they are going to get every ounce of pressure I can muster cause they are doing the same 🤣. Great topic Chewy!

[@calebschaaf1555]

My wife and I had very different takes on this. When we roll together, I often think that (in order not to be a jerk and a good roll) I have to give up moves or positions when I make a technical mistake, even if I could muscle through. Her take is that there are technical answers to everything, and so she'd prefer that I do muscle through the mistake. It gives her new problems to solve.

[@brianc277]

Being a strong 5'9" 160 pounder, I appreciated when a really good 135 pound pro fighter on the smaller side of 135 didn't tell me I only could hold him down since I was strong but pointed out I gave him an energy he needed to be prepared for in his fights for when he fought technically inferior but substantially stronger guys. On the flip side, I appreciated the bigger stronger technically inferior guys because in them making me look bad technically they highlighted I wasn't as good as I thought I was in some positions; my ego wanted to blame them being a big strong spaz for making me look bad but the logical part of me reminded myself it just meant I wasn't good enough to reliably beat technically inferior bigger guys yet.

[@bigkurz]

i'm 6'4 225 lbs and nobody has told me not to use my strength yet. I've been training for 3 months and I have adopted the philosophy to just try and match the strength of my opponent. it allows me to practice my techniques like guard retention and passing on and weaker opponents, and then naturally i have to use much more strength against my larger and stronger training opponents. I have had people tell me i'm a great training partner already so i think it's a good philosophy.

[@adhdmed]

When I started BJJ I weighed 90kg/ 198,416 pounds of pure muscle because I used to lift weights but then all my sparring partners said I only win because Im stronger, then I stopped lifting and only did cardio to cut my weight for the next 2 years but then I was prone to injury. I switched gyms where a far better coach explained to me the importance of strength training and encouraged me to lift weights again. I'm now on a mission to getting my strength back. If people don't want to loose to strong people,then they should get stronger themselves.

[@trenbear4469]

I'm actually happy when they give me a back handed compliment, especially if it comes from tall guys who don't lift weights. I'm pretty tall and used to be pretty skinny, but at the moment I have years of compound lifts and weight Gainer shakes under my belt. I was not born big and strong.

[@trenbear4469]

And it did not come easy to me

[@frasierdog]

What about your shake-weight training?

[@H1mantes]

I get this a lot, as I'm sure a lot of stronger people do. I think it often translates to "stop being stronger than me when I try to use strength against you". It speaks volumes about their own technical deficits.

[@mraBJJ33]

I dont like to use all my strength when I roll with women or smaller guys, especially when they're less experienced on top of the size difference. But demonizing a big grappler for using their size is kind of silly, not every person can play rubber guard and do all the flexible techniques that the smaller guys can pull off.

[@badboypiper]

😂😂 I like that I don’t like to use all my strength with women😂 I don’t use any of my strength with any women on the mats just technique👍🏼🙏🏼 it just sounded funny the way you put it👊🏼

[@MrCmon113]

@@badboypiper That's meaningless nonsense. There is no technique without strength. Strength defines what's an effective technique and what isn't.

[@badboypiper]

@@MrCmon113 Not sure what you mean?

[@drjasonhughes]

I’m one of the lighter guys in my gym and I’ve always relied on speed and technique… The way I’ve started to look at rolling with way bigger & stronger guys is it’s encouraging me to also get stronger. Hopefully my technique will encourage the bigger & stronger guys to get more technical. Encourage growth, don’t deny your positives!

[@Blainerowe3]

Wonderful perspective and video. Encouraging directing their strength more efficiently is far better than demonizing it! Also, Professor. Square the bottom of that beard. ❤️

[@azirmaozao627]

whenever I roll with a higher belt who is also strong, they use their strength and their skill.

[@alexisschmeler3152]

I’m 6ft5 an weigh around 240 pounds, and I’m training for 1 1/2 years. In the first six months I trained with a high level blue belt and I always got beaten( as expected) . He went on to stop consistently training bjj for a year, in that time I was training 4 time’s a week up until now. We rolled last week and I tapped him 3 times in a 5 min roll to witch he replied ,, Have you gotten bigger and stronger” witch I replied “yes” then he told me that was the reason I beat him

[@mattlewallen1832]

I'm 6'3" 260. Nah bro you put in the work👊.

[@marcusgardner9300]

yeah thats just his ego talking man, you put in the time and passed him up

[@thebizness5596]

He’s hating because you levelled up

[@chadd3299]

Something else people don’t talk about regarding this…even though we’re told not to use our strength, the smaller guys always give us 150%. Im 6ft 255lbs with a decade of competitive powerlifting under my belt. Even though I go into a round relaxed and with the mindset to not overcompensate with strength, 90% of my training partners always rev their engines up with me. I get EVERYONE’S 150% effort like they feel the need to overcompensate against me despite them knowing I’m usually a big softie. So I developed poor habits from both ends. Anyone under 200lbs turns into Napoleon the second we bump hands-irrespective of how calm And casual I am. Im sure other big guys have experienced that as well.

[@t-roy13]

I’m 5’7” around 160. I’m usually one of the smaller men in the gym. Does it suck going up against bigger, stronger opponents? Yes it can, especially when they have amazing technique. It’s a necessary part of the process. It also challenged me to up my strength and conditioning game.

[@beckymorris3200]

I’m an average sized female. At the end of the day, I’m training for self defense. An attacker isn’t going to back off of me and not use his strength. I appreciate my bigger, stronger training partners keeping my and my techniques honest. As long as they’re not intentionally injuring me, let’s roll!

[@cesaralvesdemoraes3187]

Unintentional injury is bad too

[@beckymorris3200]

@@cesaralvesdemoraes3187 You’re absolutely right, however if you have a gym culture that doesn’t support going hard with little regard to technique and hulking out of submissions, then it’s possible to train both hard and smart, which results in decreasing the frequency of those unintentional injuries.

[@peteypablo09]

As a woman, are you insulted when guys go too easy?

[@beckymorris3200]

@@peteypablo09 It depends on the context. I just want a place on the mat that’s respected, the same way I respect my training partners. If he goes easy because he thinks I have nothing to offer as a training partner, yes, I would be insulted, but if there are other circumstances, like an injury, or something similar, then no.

[@MrCmon113]

@@cesaralvesdemoraes3187 Injuries don't happen due to people using strength. They happen when people move fast.

[@Xailow]

I'm 6'1" and currently 250. My game is all messed up right now because I've been working on using as little strength as possible while rolling with smaller (90% of my) training partners. I've been working on using my strength and weight when I need it but it's a long road to unlearn bad habits

[@armymikeymike]

I am with you 100% man. Literally the same situation. I am not as big, but still. samesies.

[@bobdownie.2806]

Ignore that shit and apply your strength as much as possible, but also use good technique. Good technique just amplifies your strength, that’s pretty much all it is.

[@Sam-tg6ee]

@@armymikeymike samesies? 😐

[@httohot]

@@bobdownie.2806 yeah so you learn bad habits on top of the foundation of bad habits...... How can you know youre using the technique right if youre using all your strength.....? wihtout a properly sized partner using strength will build more bad habits than not using all your strength

[@alek9411]

I have the same problem man, I try not to muscle my way out of bad situations. The problem being, if I get into a bad situation with someone my size or bigger, the muscle memory is there and it is hard to break. Same thing with always rolling at 50-60% during training. Then you enter a competition and you get stomped because you have never really gone full speed.

[@michaelcontreras4053]

Hey brotha I’m on the bigger side of my gym. I’m 6’ 270lbs and I can say I’ve never heard anyone say that to me in jiu jitsu but I have been told that when I was wrestling. Either way it doesn’t matter, we all have something that we were gifted and for me it’s my size and strength. Thanks for the video brotha and keep up the great work!

[@tstdalicious]

As I progress in my Big Jitsu journey (207 lbs, been training on and off for about 12 years) I have found that I need to use my strength when I need to use it. I use my strength to help manage my aging gas tank (I’m 37 years old rolling with early 20 year old monsters). The use of applied pressure no matter the position, has been key in my skills development.

[@jamesthera]

Complaining about someone's strength is the biggest cop out. People work hard on their strength. There's no reason why their hard work is less than another version of hard work.

[@adambradshaw403]

Chewey, thank you for keeping it classy and playful. Team first ! I'm a white belt with but 1 meager stripe to my name but I'm hooked. I have been told repeatedly that I'm strong and at 200 lbs and after years of crossfit, I'm glad it's true ! I don't want to inappropriately use my strength and hurt anyone BUT I also really don't like triangles and arm bars. I have noticed that the people who tell me not to use my strength completely take advantage of my decreased usage of it to plow me into various submissions. Also, when I have applied my strength to gain side control and nearly submit others I have experienced what Jocko calls 'death match level 9' whereby the friendly nonchalant higher belt turns feral on me for my insolence. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I've learned to roll with the people who believe that iron sharpens iron. They let me use my game and they use theirs, we leave emotion out of it and high five and talk after. I'm rambling. You're awesome. I bought a shirt. Thank you !

[@warrenroberts1912]

WOW glad you said this and bringing it up. I’m a ex college wrestler and fitness model. IDedicated my teens and early 20s to building my strength and physique. Now im 31yrs old 5.11 225 solid. as a white belt I came into the gym and a few of the of the upper belts that I rolled with kept telling me not to use my strength….I’m like uuuhhhhhh idk how all I know is pressure, strength and explosion lol. Definitely over the past few weeks stopped listening to them. Strength IS my technique!! Now we’ve got some bigger guys and weightlifters in the gym and it’s so much fun going with them because we don’t feel bad beating up on the smaller people with our strength. Strength is never a weakness “except in bjj” lol

[@VinceKBand]

You hit the nail on the head!!! I’ve been saying this for Bout 4 years now of my 9 years of training. Nobody asks the smaller guy to be less fast, or the flexible guy to be less flexible, or the guy with D1 wrestling to not use such a strong base. We only tell Big Strong guys to not use strength or size. However, if this were a world championship fight, nobody would be mad at the guy throwing up a fast armbar and breaking the grips using strength to win the gold. Nobody. I have had countless guys get mad that i’m just using size and strength. And then I end up rolling like a dead fish cause you don’t wanna offer too much resistance. Its ok for them to feel good about their roll, but not the bugger guy. I am all against powering through everything. But you can have power and technique. They are not enemies of each other. I’ve had people tell me that stupid “you only beat me cause you’re big” line and i simply respond that if they would like I could stop holding back and show them what I could actually do. There needs to be a neutral area where everybody brings their skills to the table and we are able to train with all of them. Not just “you do less so I can feel better about my Platypus Guard”

[@brennanschultz9645]

I'm a two month white belt 245 lbs and lift weights religiously. Most of the people at my gym are smaller than me. I always hear to "match strength with your training partner" right before time gets put up for sparring. The coach also always finishes with saying that you don't owe an explanation to anyone you don't want to roll with (which is very true). I've heard from people after class that they really like rolling with me because they can't use their strength as a crutch because I am stronger than them. That being said, when I roll I focus on not gassing out and conserving strength for only when I need it and just chilling tf out because I use more oxygen to feed my muscles than smaller training partners. This video and all of your others are awesome and I really appreciate the advice. Thank you 🙏

[@jiwnn8705]

I have heard it for years. I am 5’7” and used to be pretty solid at 220 and now I’m 170 and lean and in good shape. Since I’ve lost the weight I’ve found myself getting tossed to the side by taller/heavier people and saying the things that used to get said to me. I had to check myself and like you said in the video, just get better.

[@IBleedBolts]

I'm smaller and don't complain when the big dudes use their strength. However, I've noticed that their progress is much slower than those who focus more on technique because the weaker people have to. One of my teammates bench presses people off mount, but the rest of his game is hug and pray.

[@MrCmon113]

You can't effectively pretend to be weaker. You need a similarly strong training partner to find out about all of the small mistakes that could be screwing you over.

[@fab_beatz_87]

Thank you for this video. Experienced this a lot as a 300 pound powerlifter.

[@jaywowbilotto2599]

It’s blind rage because mostly the ones who aren’t as strong relies on technique

[@jasoncronin9145]

Needed this video chewy! I lift heavy to supplement my game and hate when people wanna criticize it. About a month ago an upper belt who also lifts complemented my on my form and strength in one sentence and I'm gonna ride that high as long as I can. I try not to smash lighter white belts but just because my strength makes a certain technique better for me doesn't make it not a valid technique.

[@mbealhighjump]

I’m 6’4” lean 210 LB former collegiate track and field athlete that’s been doing BJJ for a few months. I’m not the heaviest, but because of my athletic background I’m probably the 3rd strongest person in the studio. I’ve watched multiple videos about how to be a good training partner & decided I would only use full strength for grips, defense, & pressure. Offensively I only use 50-80% & I try to make sure sweeps are 90% leverage. It’s actually make me far more conscious while I’m rolling and rapidly improved my technical abilities.

[@haroldlee4037]

As a smaller guy, and an "upper belt," I find that the most common advice that I give lower belts is "Dude, you're a big guy. Use the earth to your advantage." The look of horror, then understanding is nearly universal... And, I have fairly often heard "Dude, you're too flexible." "I can't break your grips." "Wow, you're fast." "How are you breathing so easily?..."

[@joshprice7436]

Ah, Chewie. I love that you are saying this. I've had people get mad at me. I just respond with, "Well, it's just because I'm so bad at B.J.J.... I have to use strength..." Usually lightens the mood.😄

[@tigercrush2253]

I'm in the middle of the road. 6'2, 170, lean and athletic but not overly strong or weak. I train with mostly 200+ guys. I love it because when I get into a match, people in my weight class feel so small comparatively. But I'm experienced and sturdy enough that I don't worry overly much about injury. I think you're spot on that strong people need to be taught how to train in both roles. I know when I roll with the 95-pound woman in the room, that I need to dial back my pressure and my squeeze and focus more on flowing and taking positions and letting her fight out of subs so I can work on responding to those bad positions. When I roll with the 215 purple belt wrestler, I can turn it up and grind and force positions and physically resist on sweeps and stuff. Big dudes are often only taught one or the other, and it makes them problematic training partners for half of the room. It's on coaches to help them learn and grow in both roles.

[@DouglasCarter69]

Congrats on 300K Chewy!

[@johnterry2529]

I was taught by Saulo that a big man that uses only strength doesn’t truly know jiu jitsu. However, a big man that learned how to use technique and blend the strength in was unstoppable. I did not understand this for a long time. Saulo was right. At 6 ft tall and 260 lbs and after 28 years in jiu jitsu. I can roll lightly with the light weights and roll like a bear when required. You are correct in saying that it is on the instructor’s to teach the student how to direct their strength.

[@sway71]

Old martial artists talked about "skill and technique", which they defined as physical abilities (speed, strength, limb conditioning, cardio, etc.) and technical application of their martial art (strikes, takedowns, submissions, etc.). These are obviously complimentary, but the idea was to learn how to use both together, not give up your advantage. I'm constantly paired up against bigger, stronger, and faster opponents, which just means I have to focus really hard on my technique (and guess what? You can improve technique way faster)

[@claudiasaft]

I have to say that I'm a strong woman, started BJJ 6 months ago, and in the beginning I was using strength in the wrong times, and I was hurting myself A LOT. I remember asking feedback to the guys from the gym, and they said I was doing just fine, because they are use to using strength and my strength is still less then theirs. But I had the issue of hurting myself for months (neck, chest, back..) and it just changed with the help of a WOMAN instructor that has been training now with me and helping me to use my strength wisely, in the right time, and also to be more relaxed.. and only after this, the injuries went away. And to be honest, I just love to be strong haha I think everybody does. :) Thanks for the video!!

[@hugomcdinosaur5273]

The analogy with flexibility, cardio and such is a great point.

[@DaSoto21500]

My coach has told me similar but has never been backhanded about it. I’m about 200lbs and decently strong as I’ve been lifting for years. Rather than telling me “Don’t use your strength” my coach has always pointed out the idea of me “fighting” too hard, trying to power out of things rather than keeping calm and remembering what I know, it’s been a big help for maintaining my own energy when rolling and actually practicing technique rather than trying to music my way out of every situation, and the lessons have stuck with me even when rolling with similarly skilled classmates who aren’t as strong as me

[@FlyingBJJSHlT]

As a White Belt who has a wrestling background and a good athlete, and primate strong, I hate when people bitch that I’m owning them with wrestling and strength. I get a beating put on me good by say, a good Purple Belt one day, then I analyze what mistakes I made that led to the sequence of fuckery I experienced, then came back and faced the same guy, and was able to survive and get into dominant positions, and make it to the bell without “losing”. The experienced colored belt practitioner proceeds to bitch that I was stalling and using wrestling and strength. Uhhhh….. My job as a White Belt is to simply survive. Your job is to strangle me. I did my job, you didn’t do yours. What are you gonna do when I’m at Purple and you’re at Black and I’m taking it to another level and tapping you because I have offensive submissions to go with my wrestling and strength? The reality is, I don’t have an ego and most other people do. I know on the days that I’m the nail and my training partners are the hammer, I tried to come out of my comfort zone and tried a pure BJJ roll and the better BJJ guy caught me. I’m getting better. He’s doing his job. When I’m the hammer, it’s a whole different ball game. I hear the bitching and it makes me want to turn a BJJ roll into a full MMA bout and take it over to the cage.

[@monkikobytes]

I'm a 6'2" 290-300lbs blue belt and I was never told to NOT use my strength or weight because I wanted to be technical and fast and nimble for a big guy. This has helped me take people by surprise a couple of times because I'm faster or more nimble than they expected but this is at the cost of getting tired a lot faster as I'm doing this with a lot more weight. I've been told to use more weight and spurts of strength to secure positions and to wear out my partners so I can conserve energy and be able to roll more rounds. I do BJJ for the joy of learning and as a hobby so I just don't want anyone to get hurt by my weight. On the flip side, I believe not using strength or weight in a safe manner is a disservice to smaller and lighter people as they don't get to see if their techniques will work against someone bigger and/or stronger than them which is crucial for self-defense. When smaller people try to choke me, I try to use just enough strength to prevent the choke and ramp up if I am able to either delay or get out of the choke while working on my escape so they know that they may need to work on their choke or try something else against someone bigger and/or stronger than themselves in a true self-defense situation.

[@JP-bi1cl]

I'm new on my journey and don't have many skills. Strength is one of my main assets right now. I read on some forums and pages about not going too hard so I tried to reduce how much strength I used during rolling and I found it helped but then I moved cities and went to a new club with bigger, stronger guys than my last but I arrived with the same attitude of trying not to use strength. As these guys were bigger and stronger and I don't have the defensive skills yet, I ended up getting put in bad positions, regularly being mounted and submitted. Because I wasn't exerting much, I became passive both mentally and physically and kind of didn't care for the outcome and the outcome was usually me tapping out quickly. I didn't have the desire to win. But then I realised that these guys are using strength on me and they're not necessarily stronger than me so I've recently reintroduced it into my game and I'm enjoying rolling again and that fire in my belly is alive once more

[@John-qz2sy]

Im 235. Pretty solid. And I’m pretty strong compared to guys my size. Ive been tol to not use my strength, and didn’t understand why until lately. My coach basically said the same thing you did. So now im working to channel and project that energy and power.

[@tien8899]

As a little guy 5’2 130, I never cared. I love randori/rolling. I am collecting data and learning your patterns. Plus, if I were to cry about others using their strengths…it’s like people saying to me “you’re so fast” …what? Okay. I’ll stop using my speed.

[@Jaimerodriguez-tn7ek]

I am the big guy at the gym, never being told not to use strength, but i have learned to use it more efficiently, which help me to improve my technique, and to use my stamina property... i think we always have to seek the perfect technique to use perfectly the strength... at the beginning of my journey i used to get exhausted faster because use too much strength and less technique, but now I use more efficiently my energy and strength which have made me more confident with my game and resist the classes until the end

[@hausmeister3695]

Hello from germany :) im 5'8 and 133 lbs. My coach told me at the beginning, after he roll with me a couple of times, i should do less strengh and more tech. Maybe because i was gassing out very quickly. But im not a big and strong guy, so i try it and after a couple of months i can see a really big difference between me and the big, strong guys in the gym. i beat them because i understand better "how much/when" i have to use "strength" (im not strong...) and because i concentrate on understanding how to apply the tech. Liebe Grüße

[@badboypiper]

Chewy I’m 220 pounds 57 years old purple belt with pretty good technique but with a whole lot of strength helps me get out of a lot of bad situations with some high-level black belts❤

[@BM-of6dg]

I’m 6ft 225 pounds.. I’ve been training Ju Jitsu for 5 years.. when I first started, I was around 245 pounds.. I would always get told that I use my strength too much.. 5 years on I still get ah “you’re just too strong”.. there are times when you really need to turn it on and use your strength in unison with technique when you’re up against a more advanced or stronger opponent. Strength in my opinion is vital to your training and compliments the ‘gentle art’ … there is a difference between applied aggressive strength and strength that is applied with controlled force.. I agree with you CHEWY, advise on how to use your strength.. and when! Thanks for this , I can relate and took some good info from this. 👊🏾

[@Azurelightning05]

i felt this video. It was such an aggravating thing that i began taking it as a compliment. I also seek out the largest, strongest, best partners i can so that i do not have to deal with these excuses and can really go with someone where my strength will ultimately not matter.

[@ricardohenry1]

I’ve absolutely heard to not use my speed or cardio.. the only time it was ok was comp training. I was actually going to write you and ask about the duality.

[@mahmoudgadel-karim2897]

The fact that this video was released yesterday 23.05.2022 is insane to me. I was just speaking with my wife about this earlier this morning. I am 29, 299 lbs White Belt, and i have been doing BJJ for 5-6 months now. I have been doing Fighting Sports since i was 3 (Karate for 13 years, American Football for 4 years, Muay Thai for 4 years) and of course weighlifting since i was like 14-15 years old. I have literally lost count of the amount of times that people had backhandedly told me "oh you're JUST too Big/Strong/Thick/etc.." or "You're using your weight/strength too much" , in those 5-6 months I have been doing BJJ. It literally drives me up a wall, because i am not asking anyone to roll slower or tighter or less flexible or less smart with me. When I roll with an actually good, emphasis on the good, Purple, Brown & Black belts, they have absolutely no problem finding their ways around me and dealing with me and my weight and strength. And i know i am not a "spazy white belt", not just because i think so, but because thats what i have been also told by my instructors and class mates. Just yesterday (same date as this video was made), a more experienced 231 lbs white belt (4 stripes) was rolling with me for the 1st time and i could literally see his face darken as he couldnt move around me like he wanted, and after submitting him, he gave me the same comment all the lightweights give "you're just too big and strong man". Felt like bitting him on the forehead honestly 😂Seriously bro ? you're 230 lbs, why cant it be that i just did a good job this round ? The class continued with 2 Blue Belts and 1 Purple Belt refusing to roll with me because they were "resting" this round, but then proceeded to roll with someone else and 1-2 Blue Blets who just refused to make any eye contact with me when picking up partners and acted as if i didnt exist even though i was looking straight at them and waving (299 lbs in a blue gi fly on the wall apparently). I totally agree with everything you said in the video, especially about the part where we need to learn to us our weight for when we compete against other big bois. I am entering my first competion this coming Saturday 28.05.2022, and I honestly have no idea how it actually feels to have a big guy put me in a bad position + i realized, that like you said with your student, while i do have very good pressure from side control, my pressure sucks from mount, because i am always worried about the guy below when rolling which is further amplified by all those "back handed comments". I think moving forward ill just try my best to use my weight and strength appropriately and just have a "To hell with it" attitude for now. Thanks again, apologies for the extra long comment. Have a great day everyone.

[@AG-tm4gr]

Yesterday one of my professors gave me great advice about using my strength. I'm relatively new to BJJ and have been training for just under a month. We were working on transitioning from butterfly to side control and the advice I got was to conserve my strength and use technic instead for the particular drill we were doing so that I don't gas my self out. I found that after making the changes I was able to calm myself down and work much easier

[@GaryLiseo]

I’m about 170 and have been told I was strong or getting stronger as a compliment in the gym. Sometimes I’ve heard or said (about myself) to use more technique over strength, but I’ve also been told to use my strength to my advantage where it isn’t hindering someone else’s learning

[@BigBenMMA]

I get the "man you got the (what ever sub) cause ur so strong" all the time

[@jakobberbom3429]

I'm a fairly fresh white belt and when I started, my coach told me I use too much strength. Now I weigh about 62kg - not super strong, but stronger than my size let's show. However he did it in a way that made me more conscious of when I used strength. Thanks for making great videos!

[@ed1726]

I might be wrong but he's possibly talking about wasting strength. For example if I'm trying to pass guard and my opponent is just bench pressing me but without threatening to guard I'll just dead weight them and wait. Sooner or later their muscles will be toast, doesn't matter how strong or fit they are.

[@jakobberbom3429]

@@ed1726 exactly what I was trying to say :D

[@MrCmon113]

@@ed1726 Or they just use you as a supplemental barbell to sneak some strength training into their rolling.

[@andrewmontgomery5266]

In general, my approach to other people using strength was always “I’m not training to beat Strong people who are going easy on me” and my approach to smaller training partners is technical but gradual application of pressure

[@Waluwussy]

Question: how can I control my wrestling background in bjj in such a way that I can use it to my advantage without letting it entirely take over and lead me to do wrestling moves that don’t work? I’m a white belt that wrestled folkstyle for 5 years and while the athleticism carries over, I find myself doing wrestling moves while rolling and I get submitted. My coach says it’s just something I have to find on my own but I just don’t know how to take advantage of my background without letting it get me into bad situations. Any advice helps, thanks a lot.

[@OxUSAF]

Great question for a very accomplished wrestler at our gym who has a channel….Brandon Reed Wrestling & BJJ.

[@akasupaman]

I have the same issue

[@krisoliveira9756]

In my gym we were always taught that "BJJ is strength", not in a pure brutal way but intelligently applied, since ignoring or denying it is a huge mistake. So it became quite natural for me to advise herculean newcomers not to stop using strength, but to stop wasting it, in a sense that instead of burning your arms without results, use it to achieve a better position, control and so on. After some time they begin to understand this concept and give me hella trouble since im a short guy relying mostly on my agility, and tbh thats really cool, seeing someone learn how to use their atributes in an effective way shows the fluidity of BJJ.

[@jwillard911]

My old KungFu instructor use to say to think of your training partner as 500# of pure muscle, That way you thought of your movements instead of your muscle. There is always someone larger than you and if you are used to using your strength with small people you will try you use it with big people. The larger person has the advantage with the same skill. I learned so much that when I moved to BJJ 8yrs ago I was able to hit the floor moving. And because I'm lazy I became a target opportunist. I said thank you for what was given and left what was too much work, I'm an older and weaker fella too at 49. So being smart is key.

[@benjaminpeers7985]

I'm fresh back into martial arts 130kg strong but unfit, the gym I am at is nothing but encouraging, given my strength I hear from my coaches a little bit of refining on my technique and I will be unstoppable. Though I never want to put my weight on my rolling partners, to the point now I kind of imagine them about 10mm bigger than they are and stop myself "crushing" them. I worry that using my weight will leave me in short supply of willing partners or not allow me to refine my skills as my weight lets me get away with it. Though it's gotten to the point where by some of my partners they are coaching me how to apply my weight. Encouraging me to put it on them especially amongst the better guys (higher belts etc) which is the majority and just makes me feel like not only am I getting better but so are they by moving/escaping me Though some guys just don't want to roll actively refusing unless they are fresh. Or as for the first time I've ever heard of in my life someone actually just changed partners on my halfway through just grabbed someone else and started rolling with them halfway through a round. That was a pretty sucky moment. Not one I expected. I worry about two things, firstly if I take their advice, will I eventually end up with no partners who want to roll. And secondly if I don't when I finally compete with someone my size I won't know what to or how to properly apply the pressure. So what to do? How do I strike a balance and keep people wanting to roll while getting better myself?

[@kylebulldog2115]

Absolutely SPOT ON . As always man 🤜🤛🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💯💯💯💯💯...

[@benchmademanliness]

Yes, I’ve been told this many times. I just figure, I’ll use my advantages and you can use yours.

[@JavierTorres-be9sc]

I'm a 160 lb brown belt and I like rolling with big strong people, especially lower belts. If something doesn't work I don't think they need to be smaller, I think well that sucked, what adjustment can I make or what can I do instead. I agree with what you said Chewy, it's unfair to tell someone they can't ever use their attributes when everyone else does and that they should be taught when and how to use it so it's safe and efficient. The whole point of Jiu Jitsu is to be able to go against bigger, stronger, more athletic people and be ok. You don't want the first time you feel strength and size to be in a real fight.

[@PariahKamikaze]

wow, I like your outlook on it. You're right, we don't demonize great cardio, flexibility, speed, etc. only strength. Interesting.

[@lonejits]

Thanks to Chewjitsu for posting this. I've been training for 18 years and am 6'1" 220. When a training partner says I'm strong or heavy I usually laugh and ask if they are trying to say something about my technique. Sometimes I tell them about my time training with a technical dude who outweighed me by 100lbs. I would encourage any big dudes reading this to seek out reps with other big guys, especially if they are equal or more technical.

[@brandonpatterson1956]

I feel this. I am usually the heaviest person in class at around 240-250 but I'm not particularly strong compared to someone who lifts regularly; I'm just strong compared to someone who has a smaller frame and weights 50-100 lbs less than I do. I never wanted to be that guy who was big and accidentally dangerous but I think I have swung too far the other way. I have people tell me I need to be more active and explosive or I'm just going to keep getting worked by everyone but it is hard to find that balance.

[@thaddiusalbert]

6'1 Powerlifter at 205, I can Deadlift 515lbs, I've been told almost at every single gym by several people not to use strength at all, and yea, it definitely hindered my ability, and recently I've been trying to learn when to use it and when not to, now I try to focus on being a Boa Constrictor, fast to wherever I need to go and strong, but then methodically slow steady squeeze when I get there

[@blevensbrad]

I was never asked to tone down my strength or don't be strong but it was suggested to me that I learn more Juijitsu while I was in class. I was bad to get to side control and camp out till the bell. My coach told me that as big as I am and knowing what little I know that I could make things difficult for most people and that I would be better if I started working on other aspects of the art. Ever since I have started 90% of rolls on my back so that I could work from where I am lacking. Being strong I still have to work balance and leverage to get a sweep. And when I roll with purple, brown,or black belts it's very obvious they understand those principles much better than I do.

[@LeTrioMen]

I think in my specific case i’ve always dealt with being heavier than most so in a way I’ve had to watch how much pressure I put on my people smaller than me when playing around as a kid. as an adult this translated to struggling with putting pressure on people in wrestling and jui jitsu over fear being too heavy on top until i realized it’s just what I need to do. I have a better understanding of my own body too and how to apply strength/weight properly

[@sampook974]

I keep getting ‘use your attributes!’ Meaning weight advantage but then hasn’t told me exactly how 😂 I always feel like I should try technical things on lighter people rather than flopping onto them and using too much pressure

[@kevinhom75]

If they're blue+ and you're a white belt, crush them but stay busy. If they're within 20 lbs of you, smash em if you're also a white belt. Proper pressure isn't something that you can learn in a youtube comment but general rule of thumb, squeeze them and keep your weight on top of them.

[@Arcadianx98]

I’ve stopped rolling with bigger guys simply from being injured too much from them.

[@youmang]

Judoka here and i love one of the principles. Max efficient use of strength. Be efficient with your power. That said i use constant pressure from top but rarely extend subs with full strength

[@mdavissq3d]

Im a 155-160lb brown belt and I've noticed over the years big dudes 200+ and how they roll based on belt and experience. Strong white belts to purple into brown can be out of control with weight distribution sometimes and that's where accidents happen (I got a broken pinky and a f'd up neck from this) Great thought Chewy on telling strong guys to use their strength in x whatever spot in whatever situation. But amazingly I've had the pleasure to roll with some big dudes at black belt and it feels almost effortless for them to sweep me and what not, sometimes they were moving so lightly like a light weight. But these same big black belts turn it on against big guys too. I guess with time and experience they really get that ability to gauge their training partners.

[@gilbertoquintero7978]

I have been told about my strength, to just preserve when I need to and to be just a little more technical and not to be gassed out.

[@CSPD3522]

Hey Chewy, question for ya. I’m a one stipe blue and was having one of those nights that felt good, like I was able to put things together. So I decided to try a new move as I was rolling with a newer white belt. I ended up causing a small bruise near his eye as I tightened the choke. I honestly feel like I owe him an apology because I also feel I didn’t use proper technique. I know injuries happen but I also think it was my fault. Just wondering what’s the proper course of action.

[@BJJ_Richie]

Dude lol I TOTALLY AGREE ! I’m 5’9 210 and pretty darn strong if I may say so , I’ve been told that constantly ! But sometimes you have to explode and I’ve really used it to my advantage in most cases , the bottom line is use our strength at the right time , we should always be in 1st to 3rd gear , but sometimes we need to open it up to 5th or 6th gear 💪💪💪

[@tomklundby6726]

I'm 6'3 275lbs. I'm currently a purple belt. When I 1st started I was encouraged to use strength and pressure in some positions and not in others. Currently I get told the same thing. There's definitely a time and place to use power and strength, just use it wisely.

[@raslolayton2152]

Interesting. I struggled with the same question for some time. I started BJJ life late (at 68...) I'm now 72 and a 4-stripe blue belt, and rolling with mid-20 ripped dudes is a challenge. On the other hand, I roll in Hong Kong and most times with smaller guys (say, 160lbs, 5'10") whereas I'm 198lbs. At first I thought it wrong of me to use my weight, but then - as Chewy so rightly points out - if they can use speed, flexibility, cardio, agility, then I can use weight. Seems a fair trade to me. But I think the key (for me at least) is that when I train then I focus on technique, focus on getting technically better. Doesn't matter (generally) when you're training whether you tap or the other guy taps, it's a learning process. In competition, however, that (again for me) is where you test yourself as a fighter...so I aim to smash 'em. Use every tool in the box. Weight is good; however weight with technique is better. That's my two penn'orth, for what it's worth (and probably worth...two pennies). Thanks, BTW, Chewy, your channel is solid gold.

[@markbuhler3348]

I’m 240 and 6’8 been told not to use my strength and felt bad for it. But at the same time my couch has been the one to tell me to use it more and when. Couldn’t agree more it’s to know when and where to use it.

[@kylebulldog2115]

5ft6 86kg jacked of muscle from ex bodybuilding, Turned wrestler for 2 years. Been doing jiu-jitsu around 4/5 months using my wrestling as attack and just surviving the rest, As I believe the whole white belt progress is Survive and try figure out your game. ( mainly survive lol ) Strength helps and abso fucking lutely i will be using it to survive, attack or win. AND I will happily roll with a 100/110kg man and I would HOPE he used every single bit of his strength and skill on me !!!. The jiu-jitsu journey and mindset.

[@nikoshelley9542]

My gym I go to has perfect way of dealing with this. Live drill the strong guys wear them out until str is not an option. I’m an ex power lifter strongest for my weight and in my training classes but my coaches live drill me knacker me out until I’m gasping then they get the lighter guys against me in turn start making me panic therefore using technique because my str is sapped giving the lighter guy options because I can’t explode or brute my way out. A year in and now I pace myself use str in certain positions being safe for both of us

[@andreimordovskoi9192]

Been on both ends of this now. I'm 6'2 195 and one of the stronger guys at my gym. But a little while back I rolled with a one purple belt that had maybe 20 lbs on me. But he blew my mind with how strong he was when he popped my kimura by simply extending his arm like I wasn't even there. Kind of put things in perspective for me. Also made me want to get stronger because kimura defense of just pretending it's not there looks as badass as shrugging off rear naked chokes. On another note, I think it makes sense to tell beginners to tone down their strength because they seldom do anything productive with it and gas out in 20 seconds from the tension. At least until they get some basic awareness on the mat. Speaking from personal experience.

[@Medreg1983]

How are you one of the stronger guys at your gym at 195. Must be a gym of small people

[@andreimordovskoi9192]

@@Medreg1983 I said stronger, not fatter.