Sparring/Grappling with Bigger Opponents--Some Tips for the "Little" Guys

Yesterday I took a pretty hard head butt to my left ear while grappling. So what happened? Can anyone say cauliflower ear? My left ear has been messed up for years, but now it's worse. It hurts like hell and I'm forced to wear headgear while sparring--which I don't really like. I guess I'll have to deal with it though for a couple of weeks so I can give my ear some time to "heal."

In any martial arts school, particular in North America or Europe, you're going to get some really big guys who enroll and want to learn how to fight. If you're a decent instructor, you'll make it a point to spar with all of your students--small or big. As I'm beginning to teach again, I'm noticing a lot of different people joining who have various training backgrounds and body types. As one of the 140 pounders out there, most people are bigger, heavier, and stronger than I am. So, I thought I'd give some pointers to the other featherweights who have to spar with bigger guys often.

First, face it. Strength and size does really matter. As a "small" guy, we can be a placed in a very disadvantageous situation. If we are talking about grappling, you are likely going to play guard and will have to deal with a lot of pressure and strength. In terms of weight and strength, we're already at a disadvantage. When it comes to striking, you will clearly be at a disadvantage as well. Your sparring partner will have a reach advantage and they will hit much harder.

Don't think a heavier sparring partner will understand that they outweigh you, are stronger, or have longer reach. Don't expect them to take it easy on you. For most people, it comes natural to use all of their physical attributes when sparring. As a result, it's important to get good position/distance, use your speed, and use your brain! (You have to be wiser than your sparring partner.)

Here are some grappling tips that might help you (in no particular order):

1. Although this doesn't apply in every situation, it seems to hold true for most situations when a smaller guys is sparring a bigger partner. If you have to play guard, try using your butter fly guard or open guard more (e.g. x-guard). You're in better position to keep your opponents weight off of you and are more mobile. If you are sparring against a heavier and stronger person who is technical, it can be difficult to mount an attack from closed guard because they may be able to control your hips better. Likewise, you will have to deal with more of the weight because you won't have a leg in between your bodies and there will be much less space for you to move.

2. This should be common knowledge--try and get the person's back. You have a much better chance of finishing your opponent because you will not have to worry about them mounting a serious attack on you. You will have more time to focus on your offensive techniques without have to worry as much about your opponents strength, size, etc.

3. Use arm drags. They may or may not work. But they don't require a lot of strength, and if executed properly, you have a great chance of getting the person's back or even turning them over.

4. Use guillotines. When you're sparring a person who has good core strength and powerful arms and legs, it can be hard to hold them down in many positions and secure a tight armlock or even a footlock. However, if you can secure a good hold around a person's neck, you have a much better chance of submitting them.

Now for some striking tips:

1. Keep your guard up! It's obvious that a bigger opponent will be able to land some heavy blows, so make sure you have your arms up in position to block.

2. Understand how to control the distance between you and your opponent. This requires good footwork and angling. Respect your opponents strength and reach.

3. Work on your counter striking. Bigger opponents often get over confident when fighting smaller guys. They may throw their techniques without setting them up in combinations and you can possibly capitalize on this. If you counter and land a good strike, you have a great window to enter in and land a solid combination.

4. Stick and move. Once you land a good combo, get out (unless you know you've hurt them and put them on the defensive). You don't want to be in your opponent's range when he recovers.

5. Work on your timing and power. When opportunities to attack arise, you will have to be ready for them. So make sure you can time your moves properly. Likewise, develop power behind your strikes so when you have the chance to hit, you can land solid combinations. You don't want to waste your strikes by throwing weak punches or kicks.

There are countless tips and ways to approach sparring/grappling/fighting against a bigger opponent. However, I find that these tips work well for me and I hope they help you too.

Tags: sparring, fighting, grappling, taller, bigger, opponent, tips, techniques