[Davii]

Originally Posted by EternalRag3

It's pretty much like this no matter what athletic activity you do. There's a reason why 5'7, 130 pound guys aren't in the NFL. There's a reason why guys under 5'9 are rare in the NBA. There's a reason why the hardest servers in the ATP are well over 6'.

Size matters. But in my experience with sports, grappling has been the only time where I ever felt like I could hang with bigger people. The ground is the ultimate equalizer. Just have to work on your technique. The essence of jiujitsu isn't in your wins and losses record, it's - surprise, surprise - in your jiujitsu. So work at it, and just accept what you are.

Not to be bashing on YOU directly - I feel like this is a very american view on sports. When you look at it this way - soccer, tennis and even basketball in europe have NOTHING to do with your natural weight and height (maybe basketball to some degree).

Why do you think the US, with all of its super duper hotstars can't win the gold in basketball?

Anyways - let me relate this to bjj. I'm 135lbs 5'9. Probably a little light for my height - but bigger guys don't bother me. You have to adjust your game and play aggressive. It's really just a mindset. Yep, the ground is an equalizer to a great extend. If you just focus on technique, you'll be pulling off sweeps and simply amaze yourself.

Best thing to do - is ask them to S-train with you. That's really the best way to improve from what I've seen.

[Cardio King]

Think of it in perspective. You have been training BJJ for less than a year, and all of your training partners are heavy. What an excellent time to practise framing, shrimping, and escpaes! Also try to maintain top position alot. Not only is it hard to hold down a larger opponent, but the fact that you are on top will make breathing/training a bit easier.

[Jinzumkei]

Originally Posted by BJJ Padawan

It's not all about being a Blue Belt. If our instructor gave strips I would be happy. Then at least I would know where I stand in relation to progress to a blue belt. 8+ months would be at least be two strips. BTW, how many strips are there before promotion?

Who says you even deserve 2 stripe? Maybe your ground game is rubbish, i mean your attitude isn't the greatest. Why do you even need this type of validation? If you can feel yourself getting better maybe you should just be happy with that.

[Tasmanian Devil]

Originally Posted by Davii

Not to be bashing on YOU directly - I feel like this is a very american view on sports. When you look at it this way - soccer, tennis and even basketball in europe have NOTHING to do with your natural weight and height (maybe basketball to some degree).

Why do you think the US, with all of its super duper hotstars can't win the gold in basketball?

Anyways - let me relate this to bjj. I'm 135lbs 5'9. Probably a little light for my height - but bigger guys don't bother me. You have to adjust your game and play aggressive. It's really just a mindset. Yep, the ground is an equalizer to a great extend. If you just focus on technique, you'll be pulling off sweeps and simply amaze yourself.

Best thing to do - is ask them to S-train with you. That's really the best way to improve from what I've seen.

First, the "view" you are bashing is certainly correct with respect to the NFL.
Second, the U.S. has more gold medals in men's basketball than any other country by a mile so your statment that the U.S. can't win the gold in basketball is misguided. If you are referring to the 2004 olympics, I am pretty sure that not one player on the Argentina team was smaller than 6'4." So what point were you making? Finally, and actually relevant to this post, I do agree with you and most people posting here that jiujitsu is a great size equalizer. For proof look at Marcelo Garcia's record in the absolute division at ADCC.

[BJJ Padawan]

I don't know. Maybe I have lost sight of why I started BJJ in the first place.
I not asking to be a blue belt after 8 months. like I said, promotion was looking good for next fall.
My ground game is good agaist guys my size. I win almost all the time.
Yes, when I started taking on the big guys I tried to muscle them. technique works if your able to move. These guys are heavy. Compact car heavy. I can get them in kimoras and armbars. They just muscle out of them.
I think I'm going to take a break from BJJ. Maybe a month or two. I been going to BJJ classes four times a week for the first six months. Now down to three.

[FWTG]

I dont really get the "I want to know where I stand " thing. Its usually obvious where you stand just through how well you do in rolling and tournaments. Belt doesnt mean anything its all about how you perform on the mats.

[Sobral]

hmm maybe work on nasty arm bars from guard (im assuming they muscle you to your back)

Or get their backs and sink in a RNC and squeeze so hard you want their head to pop off.
Start getting angry and don't allow them to muscle you around, show them your not a push over.

[CrazyCossack]

Originally Posted by BJJ Padawan

I don't know. Maybe I have lost sight of why I started BJJ in the first place.
I not asking to be a blue belt after 8 months. like I said, promotion was looking good for next fall.
My ground game is good agaist guys my size. I win almost all the time.
Yes, when I started taking on the big guys I tried to muscle them. technique works if your able to move. These guys are heavy. Compact car heavy. I can get them in kimoras and armbars. They just muscle out of them.
I think I'm going to take a break from BJJ. Maybe a month or two. I been going to BJJ classes four times a week for the first six months. Now down to three.

You probably shouldn't take time off, for one your bitching about belts/bigger training partners, and you think 4 days a week is alot, your already cutting back.

You run the risk of going away for 2 months and never coming back.

Also the 8 months + next fall is sorta silly, at my school the fastest guy to get a blue belt was a year and a half, and he trained every single day for that year and a half, including christmas, birthdays, new years eve, etc....

He's a 145 pound purple belt now, and yes he has started training less times a week, probably done to 3, but your still expecting your belt way too fast.

I train 5 days a week on average and after 2 and a half years im still a whitebelt,

quit whining.

[ModernWarrior]

The only thing i can say is belts really dont matter. Its how your progressing as a competitor. Meaning in competitions, not only the gym. If you win competitions at your skill level then eventually you will get promoted. Learn as much as you and you always have to keep progressing, little by little. How far youve come as a competitor should mean more to you then your belt color.

[damit2hell]

I got my blue in 8-9 months, but i am rather big strong and athletic, but thats besides the point, everyone develops on their own tempo, just because someone took a few months and its going to take you much longer is no reason to quit, if anything its incentive to work harder, do your homework outside of class, watch videos etc