Here are some things that I have learned from almost always BEING the bigger, stronger, opponent. It is a little long, but bear with me:
My fighting strategy was usually to let my opponent come to me (if I chase him my size becomes a disadvantage, as I am usually slower than him and tire more easily). Once they come in for a commited attack, I attack as well to close the distance and grab hold of them. I relied on the fact that I could do one and two step lunges much faster than my opponent would expect, and I have very long arms. I may usually take a punch or a strike on the way in, but one is almost never enough to stop me, unless they were hitting a vital area. Even then, if shook just shake off the pain and let rage and momentum carry me, I can still come out on top.
Body shots don't really bother me unless the person is hitting some kind of nerve or pressure point. Head shots worked better in that it put me more on the defensive.
I've heard a few people mentioning taking the opponent to the ground to neutralize his size and strength advantage. I don't know the theory behind this, but from my personal experience, this is usually a really bad idea. People seem to think that with some ground fighting training they can take out a bigger much easier. This is true ONLY if he has had virtually no ground training. The problem is that a larger, stronger person needs to learn MUCH MUCH less grappling to be able to completely neutralize a smaller person.
One of the things that got me interested in jujitsu was when I went to check out a class and a 120 lb female student asked to grapple with me. I probably outweighed her by about 150lbs, but because I had never been exposed to chokes, when she slapped one on I had no idea what to do and was tapped out easily. By the way, I thought it was great that she could do this, it let me know that there was something here to learn. However, after the instructor showed me how to tuck in my chin to keep from getting choked out, and how to curl my arm to counter arm locks as well as a few basic positions (which took a total of MAYBE 2 or 3 classes to learn) even he had an extremely hard time submitting me.
The two biggest advantages a smaller opponent had over me was his speed and endurance. Taking me to the ground (or should I say, allowing me to go to the ground :wink1: ) pretty much threw both of those advantages out of the window. On the ground his speed means almost nothing (unless he is a REALLY good grappler) and If I wind up on top, he is going to expend a ton more energy than me trying to gain position.
In multiple situations, when I thought my opponent was trying to take me down I wouldn't resist. Rather I would use my energy and weight to "help" him take me down (usually with greater speed and force than he was expecting or could handle) and focus on falling into a top position. From there I could rest while my opponent struggles. I could use whatever locks or strikes that I wanted to finish it.
So what do you think? I hope this helps you guys.
Jon
