[ElDiablo69]

Here's the situation. I am currently training mixed martial arts, working majorly on boxing and wrestling while trying to add some submissions to my game. However, I'm very stocky for my height with short limbs and a long torso (think Sherk, cept a little taller an with a tree trunk in place of middle section). I've been having a hard time in BJJ because of a lack leg reach and all around flexibility, so I was wondering if I should either a. work on power submissions or b. just quit BJJ and learn some solid sub defense or c. try another grappling system altogether. Is it possible, with my body type, to adapt to BJJ when you are a stiff ball of muscle? Waiting for some advice before doing anything.

[stlnl2]

Monson, Sherk, Saulo, Wallid all have very familiar body types to that and seemed to have learned BJJ just fine.

[TalkShowOnMute]

No way man you are too much muscle for bjj.

Seriously though, stretch, and adapt your game to suit you. Everyone has a different game, I'm 6'1, 185lbs and super flexible, so my game is totally different than that of a stocky wrestler type, everyone has to adapt there is no uniform BJJ game.

If you are a stocky wreslter than work your escapes, make those your bread and butter, then work your top control and side control, and make those your shit too.

have a good understanding of all facets, but if you have stumpy limbs you gotta work with them, there are guys who have amazing BJJ with only one arm or no hand. The difference is that they have adapted and kept at it.

[Zankou]

Stumpy limbs work fine for top game, half guard, and butterfly guard.

[No Quarter]

Originally Posted by ElDiablo69

Here's the situation. I am currently training mixed martial arts, working majorly on boxing and wrestling while trying to add some submissions to my game. However, I'm very stocky for my height with short limbs and a long torso (think Sherk, cept a little taller an with a tree trunk in place of middle section). I've been having a hard time in BJJ because of a lack leg reach and all around flexibility, so I was wondering if I should either a. work on power submissions or b. just quit BJJ and learn some solid sub defense or c. try another grappling system altogether. Is it possible, with my body type, to adapt to BJJ when you are a stiff ball of muscle? Waiting for some advice before doing anything.

Yep..you sound like you are built similar to me. I am 5'5" with short arms and legs and a longer torso.

I find that some submissions in BJJ such as triangles impossible for me to execute successfully. I never use closed guard as my legs are usually too short to completely close around my opponents back. At 47, my flexibility is now an issue. I therefore practice and employ basic submissions like kimura's and prefer to use open and butterfly guards where I can quickly employ a variety of sweeps.

However, there are some advantages to being built like we are. Opponents will usually find it difficult to arm bar you, and catch you in any submissions involving the limbs. Also, Judo throws are easier to execute as we have a lower center of gravity and can quickly get under our opponent's base for hip throws.

BJJ is not my best game and for grappling I tend to rely more on what I have learned in wrestling and judo to get me by. You have to find what works for you and then perfect that with lot's of practice.

[D-Train]

One of our top guys has short limbs. He's just adapted most techniques to suit his game. Some techniques, he doesn't use at all. He, too, was a wrestler.

[UrbanSavage]

Originally Posted by Zankou

Stumpy limbs work fine for top game, half guard, and butterfly guard.

Yep. You'll probably be using your guard more for sweeps than submissions. Kimuras will also probably work a lot better than triangles and armbars from guard.

[Mikey Triangles]

my buddy Eric has that build and he's fucking sick.


work a lot of takedowns and overleg guard passes. develope a strong top game, and work mostly from half and butterfly guard on your back and look to sweep.

[ElDiablo69]

Thanks for your replies guys. I guess I'll stop trying to go for leg triangle chokes and work on butterfly, top and side. Stretching will only take you so far and besides, guys like monson really rely more on their strenght than their agility, using stuff like standing chokes, rear naked, neck cranks (sometimes illegal), anacondas, side chokes and what not. I can put on a decent kimura from the top, never from the bottom due to haivng no hip flexibility. Sounds like working on positioning and sweeps will be good.

[Chonbody]

You can always work submissions that are to your benefit. If you have speed on your side and decent cardio, you can shoot for submissions and will have that advantage. I've been doing jiu-jitsu for awhile and I didn't get into my groove till about a year later.

Just do it, man.