Jiu-Jutsu advice for big guys

[Andrew Maxwell]

i have really big thighs, but they are solid muscle (i carry my fat in my face and belly). What stretches do you recommend to help me with that triangle?

Here's a few stretches that may help;
1) Butterfly stretches, pulling your ankles in as deep as you can and pressing down on your knees. 2) Work half lotus if you can't pull double lotus. 3) While seated pull one ankle up to the center of tour chest while extending the other leg out strait in fromt of you.

Remember that your knees aren't very flexable, you can work them a little bit but most flexability for jitz is in the hips so focus on stretching out your hips, this will also help you gain some control and dexterity over your legs making triangles easier to slap on someone.

Also, work on your angle of attack and body positioning. When you have bigger thighs, and are in the guard trying to work triangles or rubber guard, it's easier sometimes if you get your body at a different angle. By pushing off of their hip, with your foot, and getting your body at an angle slightly diaginal to theirs and/or getting up onto one hip slightly instead of being centered on your ass, you can create some extra space between your thighs to work with.

[Stageman]

Butterfly stretches, pulling your ankles in as deep as you can and pressing down on your knees. Work half lotus if you can't pull double lotus. While seated pull one ankle up to the center of tour chest while extending the other leg out strait in fromt of you. Remember that your knees aren't very flexable, you can work them a little bit but most flexability for jitz is in the hips so focus on stretching out your hips, this will also help you gain some control and dexterity over your legs making triangles easier to slap on someone.

i'll work on it. Thank you.

[Andrew Maxwell]

i'll work on it. Thank you.

Also, work on your angle of attack and body positioning. When you have bigger thighs, and are in the guard trying to work triangles or rubber guard, it's easier sometimes if you get your body at a different angle. By pushing off of their hip, with your foot, and getting your body at an angle slightly diaginal to theirs and/or getting up onto one hip slightly instead of being centered on your ass, you can create some extra space between your thighs to work with.

[J Grooms]

I'm not a big guy, but if you're rolling nogi, then get on top and be heavy! Use your weight to your advantage.

[David Rosado]

Greaaaaat advice on this thread.

As far as triangles on bigger guys I've found that adjusting the angle helps. Have your partner just be a dummy for a few minutes and try angles until you find your fit.

I'm not a big guy, but if you're rolling nogi, then get on top and be heavy! Use your weight to your advantage.

Yeah no doubt. But you can't guarantee you'll be on top every time. Gotta work that guard game. That's what makes a guy like Josh Barnett so dangerous. And Big Nog. IMO what big guys should REALLY practice is sweeps/reversals. You do NOT wanna be underneath a strong heavy wrestler. Get crazy good at sweeps so you can get on top. That what i really wanna become good at.

[Brian Morency]

Straight Armbar

[Stageman]

Here's a few stretches that may help;
1) Butterfly stretches, pulling your ankles in as deep as you can and pressing down on your knees. 2) Work half lotus if you can't pull double lotus. 3) While seated pull one ankle up to the center of tour chest while extending the other leg out strait in fromt of you.
.

How long should I try to hold each stretch?

[Ash "Lottery" Woods]

to be honest i'm a big guy myself and i can't get past setting up the spider web and hitting the arm crushes and triangles

[Taylor Culbertson]

Twister side control and all of the options from there work good for bigger guys. If you can get to the truck there's several options too. How big are you if you don't mind me asking?

8inches

[Andrew Maxwell]

How long should I try to hold each stretch?

Honestly, for as long as you can. Anytime you find yourself sitting watching tv or just hanging out start stretching. I'll typically hold a stretch for 20 to 30 min while watching something on tv.