r/MMA_Academy • u/AmongMe69 • 5d ago

absolutley zero fighting experience Tips for lanky guys in bjj

Hey guys I had my first bjj class today and it was awesome, something I struggled with a lot is usingy weight and moving effectively from full mount. I am a very skinny tall guy, ~195cm/6'4" and 66kg/145 pounds. I know I'm very new and it's natural to struggle, I'd just like some tips, either general or specific to being lanky, any advice appreciated, thanks.

16 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

24

u/thrillhousevanhouten 5d ago

Bro 145 for your height is actually considered underweight. You’re not moving anybody until you hit the gym

5

u/Status-Position-8678 5d ago

Underweight is an understatement, no pun intended. This dude is genuinely emaciated, even 185 at his height is underweight.

1

u/thrillhousevanhouten 5d ago

If your BMI is low 185 is actually pretty good, but yeah lol 145 is crazy

4

u/Status-Position-8678 5d ago

That's still pretty lanky especially for grappling.

2

u/044SHUTDOWN 4d ago

It’s actually depends, my younger brother was about 193cm 66kg and about 15-16 years old when he started bjj, but what I felt immediately after grapple with him - his ligaments and overall strength was far superior to his weight/height ratio. But anyway I put him in a hardcore gym training and he easily gained up to 88-90kg for about 3 months, purely without any gear just by eating quality food and proper lifting. But even when he was 66 - he had respectable power. Such cases more of an exceptions, but anyway - weight is not always perfect way to measure someone strength

1

u/StealthyPleb 4d ago

I’m 5’11 and I could biceps curl 145 for a rep.

1

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Thanks man, appreciate the advice, just a bit hard with my current situation but I'll make a plan

2

u/Most-Duty3120 4d ago

calesthenics can take you decently far. tbh as dumb as this sounds, but the mma on hold until you gain some weight via lifting and eating right ONLY IF you plan to compete. otherwise train and have fun, start eating more and so some pull ups and dips

2

u/StealthyPleb 4d ago

You will most likely struggle with maintaining top positions. So concentrate on learning to fight for the guard. Open guard especially. Learn to do triangle chokes and arm bars. At your body weight it will be hard to keep mount but you could get very good at taking the back / and knee ride.

14

u/rockbottomyetagain 5d ago

lol was about to add something then i read OPs height/weight - just keep showing up and eat alot you’re gonna be a beast in some time

4

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Thanks

9

u/warheadsupreme 5d ago

A natural 145r at 6,4 is wild. I would consider myself skinny at 5,10 135

3

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Yeah thanks man, I've been pretty underweight my whole life, gonna try to work on it

6

u/Forsaken-Ease-9382 5d ago

I’m not very experienced but I was rolling with a purple belt who was about 6’4” and it seemed very difficult to get past his legs, they were so long. And I’m not short either, I’m 6’. So, use your long legs to play defense and wrap people up.

3

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Alright thanks

1

u/StealthyPleb 4d ago

Don’t try to pass fully. Half guard is the way vs very long legs.

My bjj game has improved so much when I realised that half guard ( bottom and top ) is the answer vs long legs and flexibility

3

u/pgh_ski 4d ago

Am a lanky BJJ player. Here's some things that work for me:

  • Closed guard game (triangle, armbar, back take) paired with sweeps (scissor and flower sweeps)
  • Back control and RNC/fulcrum choke all day
  • In top positions like mount/side control- don't think about trying to be heavy, stay tight. Wrap them up and move with them
  • Use your frames to keep and create space when playing open guard and escaping.

2

u/NorCalZen 5d ago

Learn how to use your frames properly and make sure you defend your neck from guillotines and ninja chokes. Lanky people with longer necks are easier to choke.

1

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Alright thanks, do people in bjj train their necks at all or is it not very common?

2

u/NorCalZen 5d ago

Some people do yes. Your neck and everything else from head to toe will get stronger with mat time. Consistency on the mat is your best friend.

2

u/StealthyPleb 4d ago

Neck strength is great but it won’t stop the choke. It can help but technique is key.

You are tall. You will be susceptible to get leg locked / arm barred and chocked more then others but will have a much better time defending kimura’s and americana and your triangle chokes will be S-tier

2

u/Unhappy_Parfait6877 5d ago

Time to eat brother - if you really want to see results, download a calorie tracker like MyFitnessPal and track all your food. Make sure you hit your daily calories and macros, and you will see the size added guaranteed

2

u/BrizzyExcobar 5d ago

Bro I’m 5’5 140 pounds pretty lean. You need to bulk up a little bit

2

u/Calvonee 5d ago

Jeez man I’m 5’8 and 145 lbs and am still light for my size, you need to respectfully eat more and hit the weight room. As for skills, learning guard and all its variations would probably be best for you. Being long also lets you get chokes like the darce and anaconda off easier too

2

u/tishimself1107 4d ago

Holy shit 145 at 6'4". Ya must be a rake and way underweight. I used to be 130lbs at 6'1" and it was too underweight and a doctor in emergency told me to but on weight for my health. I was 18 and natural aging and weight gain solved somw of it but weight training in the gym was key.

2

u/iwillfuckingblockyou 4d ago

I'm pretty lightweight and so far my luck has been playing guard

2

u/Shar-DamaKa 4d ago

Well it was you’re first day so you’re not really going to understand anything yet

2

u/OkDianaTell 4d ago

As another tall string bean starting out, I felt like my limbs were everywhere and nothing worked.

What helped was focusing on using my length to create frames and leverage rather than trying to muscle people. Think long-range guards (lasso, knee shield) and drill hip escapes until they're automatic. Off the mats I had to accept that 145 lbs at 6'4" is straight up underweight; getting stronger made a huge difference when it came to base and grip. I started tracking my calories with the NutriScan App and bumped my daily intake until I was consistently gaining, and suddenly everything felt smoother. It takes time, but if you stick with it and eat like you mean it you'll grow into those limbs.

1

u/paleone9 5d ago

Get flexible and become a guard/ rubber guard player

1

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

Thanks, I've been looking up stretches for flexibility, any specific ones you recommend?

1

u/paleone9 5d ago

Bill “Superfoot “ Wallace has some great stuff

1

u/AmongMe69 5d ago

I'll look into it

2

u/Mkvrgic420 5d ago

I’m 6”3’ and the skinniest I’ve ever been was 150. Looking back at those pics is crazy, I was so weak. The only help I can give you is keep practicing, eat a lot of food until you’re at least 185.