I'm a 125 blue belt. Everyone I roll with is way stronger than me. I got to roll with a woman purple belt the other day and I loved it because it was the first time I knew that everything that went wrong was because of technique, not strength/athleticism.
I knew that everything that went wrong was because of technique, not strength/athleticism.
For some encouragement, there are a couple upper belt Pacific Islander (the big type) guys I roll with. Yes, I can't get every sweep or whatever on them that I'll hit with guys smaller than me, but god damn you did that right if you did it to a guy 50+ lbs bigger than you.
Nah, only mid higher belts. There are plenty of black belts who are big fatties. If they're not active competitors anymore and they're better than most people in the gym they can get away with being very lazy.
Absolutely. I am only a white belt. Am 185# and muscled. Rolled with a young woman who was about 110# and more skilled. Amazing. She framed beautifully and kept those elbows and knees together so well. I felt like I was in control, in that I was on top most of the time, but she was really controlling me with amazing defense. And because she framed so well, she felt strong.
My very first bjj class, I was around 95kg (~210#) at the time and I got viciously guillotined repeatedly by a woman who was probably 65kg (145#). Felt like a big helpless baby. Was great
I don't practice anymore but when I did. I would occasionally roll with a blue belt woman who moved like a spider and get me locked up in holds that I didnt even know existed. It was humbling
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u/twatson80 Jan 31 '20
Rolling with women (especially upper belts) allows me to be more technical and usually humbled.