5 Ways the Little Guy Can Overcome the Bigger Guy (With BJJ)
When you’re the smaller person, the goal isn’t to “out-muscle” the bigger guy—it’s to out-position, out-angle, and outlast him. That’s exactly why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is such a game changer. Here are five practical ways the little guy can win.
1) Win with Position Before You Try to Finish
Smaller people don’t need more strength—they need better position. If you can get to dominant spots like mount, back control, or side control, the bigger guy’s power gets neutralized fast. Position makes the fight “unfair” in your favor.
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2) Use Leverage, Not Force
BJJ is built on leverage—frames, wedges, angles, and weight distribution. You’re not lifting the bigger person; you’re redirecting them. Think “crowbar,” not “bench press.” A smaller person who understands leverage can feel surprisingly strong.
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3) Control Distance with Frames and Guard
If the bigger guy gets chest-to-chest pressure on you, it’s rough. The little guy’s superpower is distance management—using frames, hooks, and guard to keep weight off you and force the opponent to work. When the big guy gets tired, the openings show up.
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4) Attack the Neck and Joints (High-Leverage Targets)
Bigger arms and shoulders don’t matter as much when you’re attacking the neck or isolating one limb against your whole body. Chokes and joint locks are built for this—clean mechanics beat size.
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5) Cardio + Calm = A Weapon
A bigger opponent often burns more energy—especially if they’re tense, angry, or trying to force everything. The smaller person can win by staying calm, technical, and efficient. BJJ teaches you how to breathe under pressure, survive bad spots, and turn defense into offense.
Adults can check out our link here https://jeweljj.com/classes/Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu.
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If you want to be the “little guy” who’s hard to hold down—and even harder to beat—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the fastest way to level the playing field.
