New to MT - Advice needed

[rvafighter]

I'm pretty new to MT (training since January) and recently started sparring with my class. Everyone is great and it's a very positive, friendly environment.

Only thing I noticed is that being 5'6 and a few inches shorter than everyone else, I'm having a lot of trouble getting in range for punches without eating a full combination first from the taller guys with a longer reach.

Any tips or tricks?

Thanks!

[Tim Mousel]

Hi,

Try using side to side head movement as you approach. Time it so you're following your opponents strike as you advance. Try to setup your advance with a fake. There is a lot more that can be done but that's a good start.

Tim

[the tick]

And go for the body instead of the head. Bodyblows are highly under appreciated by beginners. 2 or 3 strikes to the body and the last one to the head before you move out of your opponents reach again.

[frode]

Speaking as a tall person (6'3), I can vouch for this advice. I've had shorter fighters eat a few punches from me, but still remain slippery enough to get into close range with me.

My counter is to immediately go for a clinch, so watch out for that.

[rvafighter]

I am finding that body shots are reasonably easy for me to land. If anything I'm learning to keep my guard up at all times, or block and counter and go back to cover, repeat, etc....

One of the taller guys did clinch me pretty well once....although I found that it was difficult for him to get knees in if I continued to press forward, while I managed to get a few easy rib shots in quickly.

In 6 months I've learned a lot of combinations and better form, but starting sparring, its like starting all over again. Couldn't be more different from regular pad work.

Thanks again for the advice. I'll give it a try.

[IEATEDYOU]

Now I'm not an experienced fighter, not even a Muay Thai athlete.
But from what I've gathered is that people who Haven't really mastered their left hand (considering your not a southpaw) before they jump into sparring gets addicted to their right hand punches because it's the hand with more power and control, and forget all about their left hand.

Now since your under average in height I'd train my left hand to perfection.
Every fighter should do that, but since your shorter than most of the guys you'll meet in a match/sparring, your left hand will be very important considering it's the hand with the longest reach.

This isn't the only factor, of course you need some techniques, but having a good left arm only bring up sides.

Hope this helps, keep in mind I'm not a MT artist.
But I doubt this is only good for my Martial Art.

[RAB]

Everyone has given you good advice.

Be patient, evade and study their pattern. A guy with a shorter range should throw defensive punch, not intend to hit them but to block their punches. Give them the illusion you are fighting back but they are winning. Two reasons you want to do this 1) it's going to be easier for you to get inside if they are coming to you; 2) they are expend more energy than you. Then clinch because it is more difficult for a taller guy to breathe bent low. Just wear them out.