TKD - only for tall people?

[oddTKD]

I'm five-five and wasn't even that tall when i started training in TKD...It has its disadvantages (like the person you're sparring is almost always going to have longer legs than you) but it also has its advantages. It's definitely doable for short ppl.

[Englon]

I have never heard that, Funny, because most Koreans are not known for being tall and Shotokan and TKD are both very similar styles due to Japanese occupation of Korea at one time. I would say make the most of what you have. If you have long limbs, you have good reach, if you have short limbs stay close and develop speed.

[dllee]

I am only 5' 6" and have been training in a very traditional style of TKD for 4 years, my sensei is only 5' 5" and has won many sparing titles. TKD is for all sizes the advantage depends on your dedication, timing and distance.

[riddleback]

I'm between 5'6 and 5'7 been training in TKD for over 5 years now and just started doing Kuk Sool Won...TKD ROCKS

[White Warlock]

almost every excersise in tkd (be it tul or whatever) is designed as if you were fighting a person that is exactly as tall/small as you are yourself.

Hmm, from what i learned, much of tkd was actually derived from the Hwarang dismounting techniques used against mounted samurai.

[Zorba]

Hmm, from what i learned, much of tkd was actually derived from the Hwarang dismounting techniques used against mounted samurai.

 

Correct, the koreans were constantly invaded by horse mounted soldiers, hence the high kicking to dismount them.

[CloudDragon]

There's a kid in my school who is up to my elbows, (I'm 6'1") who was ripping up our VTS at max height with jumping round kicks and side kicks. What was cool is that he was able to use it in sparring later on in the class. TKD is for people of any height, the great thing about it is that it encourages you to use your natural strengths based on your own body type.

 

(BTW the "max height" on a VTS is about 6'2")

[mindsedgeblade]

What is a VTS?

 

I'm 6'2", and sparring someone of equal or lower rank (I'm a blue belt), my height and reach are a great advantage. But sparring a shorter person of higher rank is certainly difficult. They tend to make up the distance with speed, and usually close to where it may even be difficult for me to use my hands. It's very difficult to hit a 5' person when they're hammering you with hooks and uppercuts

[isshinryu5toforever]

The Korean heavy weight at the olympics was 6'2" I think. I know I'm short 5'8". I used to think that height was kind of a big thing in TKD especially olympic TKD. Then on Saturday I beat a guy who's about 6'4" 230ish. I'm 5'8" 185ish. So it proves that short and extremely quick with powerful strikes can beat big and lumbering.

[mattyj]

No its definitely not just for tall people...

 

being tall definitely would provide an advantage, esp with kicks. one freind that does tkd with me whos 6'5" has become incredibly proficient at fending people away with side checks... after the model of the 6'9 (eek) 2nd dan in our club who its just impossible to get within range of (he'll just start punching). you just have to be faster! im 5'11" (so just over average i guess) and me and my freind (whos one grade below me) have really good matches!