height or lack thereof

[lssanjose]

thanks for the insightful advice everyone. Gave me some things to think about as far as my height consideration goes

[da_mill]

@ fighitng shaq. ohhhh my gooooood lol

[ap Oweyn]

The big issue with height difference is closing the range. A taller fighter might be more at home at the longer range. The shorter fighter might be more at home at the shorter range. Each has to work to keep themselves at their strongest range.

Here's where height can be a bit of a disadvantage: A taller fighter basically begins at his strongest range. (Assuming everyone sees the fight coming, that is.) Whereas a shorter fighter has to quite literally get through the taller guy's best range in order to reach his own best range.

Good news is this: If a taller guy's best range is longer, and the shorter guy closes, the taller guy is going to be forced to do one of two things: 1) Fight at a range other than his ideal or 2) backpedal.

Now, I keep saying if because there's no guarantee that height will determine fighting strategy. It's perfectly conceivable that there are tall guys that really like hooks and uppercuts. And short guys that really like jabs and crosses. And when it comes time to box (for example), they'll be fighting at the same preferred range. And both might have to leave their element or simply trade shots.

Likewise, if a tall guy grapples well and a short guy kicks well, it's still going to be the tall guy looking to close range and the short guy looking to maintain it.

All that said, a short guy can have an advantage. He's just got to get himself to the places where that advantage exists. If a short boxer closes on a tall, lanky boxer, the short guy has tools at a range that the tall guy has potentially run out.

Tyson regularly fought people taller than him and one. Even in an arena where the techniques are relatively limited and weight classes apply. Now imagine Tyson (in his prime) in the ring with a really good (and taller) kicker. Do we necessarily put all our money on the kicker?


Stuart B.

[lssanjose]

thanks a bunch guys. really helping me here

[Smith Adams]

I hear people say it is easier to fight a taller opponent.. I believe that is true if the taller opponent is only a couple of inches.. However when the oppponent is much taller it becomes a problem..

Think about your average school... survey the hieght of the students, mostt schools I have trained at the majority of the people there are around 5'9". I am 6'5" so all the people I am sparring with are around the 5'9" I am gaining greater experince when sparring that size opponent becuase all of mt opponents are about the same size. They are at a disadvantage because there is only one of me to get a feel for.

However in the street the average person that is 6'5" is not in the schools training a lot of these people are over confident because of thier size....

When sparring as a taller opponent I can see more... when the opponent is at a safe distance and is ready to attack he first has to move where he can reach me.. as he moves I attack stopping the opponent...... when he can kick I can punch and kick .. when he can punch and kick I can punch and kick Clinch Knee elbow ... when he gets to that point I try and take the clinch and try and drop him to the ground ....... but I try to stand if I go to the ground I loose alot of my advantage...

If I were smaller I would train in Thai and BJJ.......Funny i am taller and training in the same thing...

As a smaller opponent you are better on the ground


Remember there is a reason for weight classes....

As far as how to stand up with a taller opponent try to get inside his hands... and ask someone else.. When I spar someone my own size I try and get in thier hands...

Do not assume that a taller opponent is slower.. I have fast hands for a tall guy with longer motions you can also generate more power... the power range of a strike can also be grreater as well...


Everybody is different and I would be lying if I said that I have not been knocked on my ass by shorter opponents....

Get stronger ........

[ap Oweyn]

Nice post.

Size matters. It changes things. Affects tactics. But it's not a deal breaker. Lighter people (Royce Gracie) beat heavier people (Dan Severn). Shorter people (Tyson) beat taller people (pretty much any other heavyweight). It's all possible. The trick is the same as the trick has always been. To train for it.

[moromoro]

to train for it

probably the best and only advice you should listen too.........

stop talking start training!

and train hard..............


peace

terry

[mr. bond]

the shihan i'm training under right now is short. and well, fat. (just being blunt there.)

i've seen him demonstrate with all his senior students who are trying in earnest, and he takes them out with ease. heck, he's not even limited with striking. i saw him sparring a much taller guy, the guy went for a punch, and shihan was off to the side delivering an embarrassing open hand slap on the guy's cheek.

i wouldn't worry about your height too too much. i agree that range will be a factor in an expected fight, but with practice, you can close the distance.

peace, and get in to a good dojo soon.

[JKDilla]

I deal with this every day. I am 5'00" 150-160 pounds, EVERYONE has height on me. Fighting shorter people who are "just" 5'5" gives me fits. Point blank, when you are shorter you have to work harder. The more the height disparity, the harder you'll have to work, regardless of opponent's skill level. Consider everyone you face will have at least 4+ inch advantage, and they won't have classical tall man attributes(lanky limbs, not compact, can't get lower than you, etc.) Now let's say this "average" size man has good skills, well now you REALLY have to work harder!

Generally you'll want to get inside, clinch, control, then attack(dirty boxing, knees, elbows, off-balancing, take-downs.)

If you're starting in stand-up range facing off against each other, you need to get good at getting angles. You're already at major reach dis-advantage, you need to do something to make it more even so you can close the distance and get inside. If you try and trade standing square you'll eat jabs, crosses and kicks all day. Trust me, it sucks and isn't fun.

By positioning yourself in better angles it'll give you a better shot of landing punches and kicks. Attack with combinations!! And you'll have to double your jab to close the distance. If you can get a knock-out fine, but usually you'll close distance behind those strikes. How do you do get better angles? Your punches and footwork need to be working in harmony. From a defensive stand-point don't just avoid or block. Add in footwork to put you in better angle. Slipping to the outside works well.

Besides making striking easier, getting a good angle will put you in a better position to shoot in for a take-down against someone with a great reach advantage.

When in close you need to constantly make sure you don't get your head stuffed. The height difference means it's easier for him to snap you down and finish with a knee to the head, or get the plumm and pull your face into a knee. Also be careful when your head is on the outside. It doesn't take much for him to raise his knees and catch you good. I've learned these lessons the hard way!

In the clinch, work to get control on the opponent's side. You'll give him less "tools" to work with, and you'll have an easier time off-balancing and attacking.

[Kaduceus]

hello there matey, i've been doing kick-boxing for about 4 months now and have a similar problem (slim build, not very tall), to counter this drawback i'm working at increasing hand speed as my speed and agility work more in my favour, i'm also thinking of the various ways in which to get on the inside of my opponent quickly where i'll be able to use uppercuts, hooks, elbows etc. Dunno if this is useful in any way, shape or form but i gave it a shot.

[Tom Yum]

This may seem silly but I see guys that post have a height of 5' 11 or so. Now how would a short guy like me 5' 2 or 3" [haven't measured lately] do in a fighting art [I took wu shu for three years but that was way in my pre teens]? I don't know it just seems that my height could be somewhat limiting. My arms are somewhat short, which leads to me to kick a lot as i can't seem to get any closer gah ! .

thanks ahead of time, if you have any questions for clarification don't hesitate to ask.

Les

Work on infighting, grappling and footwork.

Your footwork (and other factors) will determine how quick you can get inside while avoiding damage.

Style-wise? Look into boxing, muay thai, kenpo, judo etc. Lots of good infighting from these styles.

[bigred389]

Hehe, 3 year thread back from the grave...nice.

[Tai Chi Fighter]

Of course height matters. Do muscle mass and strength matter? I would hope that you say so. Anyone who says that size doesn't matter has been spending too much time watching Ninja movies.

As far as height goes, it matters as well. Someone tall has a reach advantage, but is suceptible to being off-balanced by a smaller adversary. His limbs will move slower because they have to travel further.

Someone as short as the original poster should lean towards grappling, as he won't even be able to reach the head (for striking) of someone who is slightly above average height. This translates to a considerable loss of power when striking the most important target on your opponent. He will be out-reached by his opponents, so getting in close enough that the long limbs are a liability should be his goal. Also, most very small people cannot generate sufficient power to KO a large opponent (not saying it can't be done, but if you're 5'2'' and 120 lbs, you won't be knocking many people out). If we're talking about self-defense, I would recommend: getting basic h2h skills, buying a gun, and training to use it. A blade could substitute in as well.

Strength yes, muscle mass no. To much muscle mass can slow you down. To gain muscle mass you lift weights, there are many ways to do this, but the main 2 being benchpress and curls. But When you lift weights you do it slow, so you are programming those muscles to move slow. Just my two cents.