How do you develop power and leverage in groundfighting?

Question

Started judo, and I'm wondering is there a way to develop power and leverage when groundfighting especially when someone's (who is stronger and bigger) on top or have you in a choke hold.

It seems I'm just using localized muscle strength in these situations.

Stuff I learned in stand-up striking (like body alignment, keeping my center, using my legs and the ground for power) can be applied to throwing , but are useless in groundfighting.

Answer 1

Stay in Judo. Also train at a local college that has a Greco-Roman wrestling program.

You should also train in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu.

Find a good MMA gym/school and train there.

Answer 2

Power comes from being strong. Leverage comes from good positioning.

An example of power would be having a very strong bridge. Your bridge becomes strong from bridging a lot. So basically, just by grappling, you'll be using excercising the muscles that you'll need. Of course, there are additional excercises that you could do, but that's a separate topic.

A simple example of using leverage would be a scissor sweep. Good positioning allows you to easily support/manipulate your opponent's weight with your top leg, while the bottom leg gives you something to tip him over. Basically, proper positioning affords you the leverage that's necessary to pull off the move. If your positioning is bad (like, you're too far away from him, or his weight isnt on your top leg), then you don't have the leverage you need to make the technique work.

(In case you're not familiar with the terminology, here's a vid. http://submissions101.com/sweeps2.htm )

The way to develop leverage would be to improve your technique. The more technically sound your technique is (positioning, especially), the more leverage you can command.

And also keep in mind that there are other ways of escaping besides throwing somebody over you. There's also going back to guard and there's escaping to turtle. Either way, I'd suggest that you make frequent use of the elbow escape. Bridging first creates space, which will make it easier to get your elbow in. (Also, try to get your knee in too.)

If that all sounds like gibberrish to you, it could be the difference in terminology, or it could be that your sensei hasn't shown you this stuff yet. Either way, check out this site. http://submissions101.com/sweeps.htm  There are a bunch of escapes from kesa gatame, which is a pin you'll encounter a lot in Judo.

Also, ask your sensei and sempai about this as well. They'll be able to explain and demonstrate this to you far better than our typed words can.

Answer 3

Just stay in Judo, don't give up, and overtime you will gain strength and balance. A lot of the drills incorporated in judo, will help you to gain strength, flexibility and balance needed to progress with the art.

It sounds like you should focus on your bridge technique. Have your instructor or one of the senior students in your class show it to you.

As far as for fighting someone bigger and stronger, don't worry too much about it.

In fighting, there are weight classes. If a lightweight could easily beat a heavyweight, it would be a wonderful thing. However, if you take a good lightweight and a good heavyweight, usually the bigger and stronger man will win.

If you want to beat a bigger, stronger person, then I suggest you fight against them regularly. Use your technique and speed to compensate against their strength and size. Also, try using unorthodox strategies and techniques, i.e. like fighting in the southpaw stance.

All in all, it's just going to take time and practice. Hang in there, and good luck.

Answer 4

Everything you can do standing, you can do on the ground.