What Body Type Is Best For BJJ?

Do you have long legs, love closed guard and triangle chokes? Maybe you have shorter limbs and play using more Half Guard or X-Guard? Body type and limb length was never discussed in the earlier days of BJJ but it does have a big impact on the way you play the Jiu-Jitsu game. In MMA the tale of the Tape, height, weight and reach - Arm span are all factors that can give you an advantage. This holds true for BJJ but no one is talking about it. You might be playing a type of BJJ game that may not suit your body's proportions which may lead to unnecessary injury.
The dynamic nature of Jiu-Jitsu means we can all play the game no matter what shape or size we are but could you be more effective using a better tool for the job. This discussion questions whether or not just following your coaches advice because it worked for them is the right way to go. You need to take a closer look at your own body and find what works best for you.
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[@nycdapperdan]

Short, thick legs here. I wrote off triangle chokes early on because I sucked at it, and the body stereotype. Now after many reps and refinement, it's high percentage for me and one of my favorites 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Yeah you gotta adjust to make it work for you.

[@Noah-jy8wb]

ecto here, 5"11, added quite some muscle in my teens and early twenties, sitting at 165 lbs at 11% BF

[@monkpato]

I've been waiting for this discussion from you fellas!

[@monkpato]

As a 6'4" white belt it's great to know that, for example, the reason why the half guard that my 5'6" coach is showing me isn't working as well for me as for him isn't just because I'm doing it wrong. Although that's surely part of it.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Its funny that no one is talking about it, we hope this discussion helps you out.

[@pxbroccoli]

Awesome podcast! Gonna binch watch all episodes asap

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Thanks for your support!

[@julesacab6669]

Super interesting pod boys

[@Longarmshortarm]

So what strategy should a stock size guy with not very long limbs employ when passing a lanky guard? Seems hard to sprawl past their legs when Body locking, hard to high step because their feet can reach your hips. Anything other than Toreando and knee cut?

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Movement based passing- check out Durinho vs Leandro No Gi worlds - perfect example of low stance movement based passing.

[@Longarmshortarm]

@@bulletproofforbjj legend! Thank you.

[@Scorch1028]

The ectomorph (thin, endurance athlete physique) is obviously the most ideal body type for BJJ.

[@nathantheneanderthal]

I'm 5'8" with a 73" reach with short legs and a long torso. I'm a caveman

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Perfect grappling build!

[@Cormac1232]

"Just cross your big toes." LMFAO. Love from NYC

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Much love to the big apple!

[@travisn9003]

Anyone got tips on which takedown techniques those of us with tall, long, lanky frames should focus on? Please don't say pull guard lol

[@DCJiuJitsuGeelong]

funny thing JT the same dude that told me not to play DLR is the same dude that told you not to play X Guard ! we both did our own thing to advance our games

[@enforcersrugby896]

Positive or negative ‘ape index’ measurements….

[@dirtygeazer9266]

17:05

[@SoyMasol]

You know what they say about big feet…☺️ You can squat better 😉

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Big shoes... 😅

[@TrayCaddyyy]

My wife is 1 inch shorter than me but her ape index is -4 but I’m a +2 so my reach is 7 inches longer than hers 😂

[@alexrosario423]

Im average in every way. I dont have an advantage, I'm mediocre at everything 💀

[@LeadGRuaidri]

Damn, I thought I was unique with this thought. Well, feel comforted with the knowledge that I am, also, incredibly mid... at everything.

[@troy242621]

Another way to look at it is you're not handicapped by your body by trying anything.

[@alexrosario423]

@troy242621 feels more like I have the same baseline as everyone else, no strengths, no weaknesses. I think it's forcing me into a more methodical game where I have to learn to be decent at way more so that I have tools to deal with every body type. Takes way longer for me to develop a game as a consequence though