tall vs short

[boyo1991]

SHORT!!!

[NY_Karatedork]

Well I'm short (5'3) and tall people have a advantage but I think we are mixing up some things, short people are anything from 5'0-5'5 and if you think of it they aren't really all that short and if a fight with bare hands they could do some damage but some can move quickly under a person who is top heavy. I've wrestled with my friends and it's kinda even, I do a lot of finger bending and also I get my hands near sensative places like the neck plus I've got a friend who is 6'4-6'5 and while we were wrestling I delivered a series of strong kicks to the back of his knee and he said that they really hurt.

[Chuilli, Kyo Sah Nim]

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

and also, the better fighter will come out on top so it does depend on skill level and fighting ability.

in tang soo,

k.chuilli

[repz]

I was told, tall people make better strikers. Just look at boxing an how important reach is. But shorter people have an advantage on the ground, smaller limbs make smaller targets, longer limps make longer targets, a quick leg lock is easy on someone who has longer reach.

But its always based on skill, im not tall at all, an i dropped tall guys fast in sparring.

[Kante]

This question is to general, and asking such a question in my opinion shows lack of knowledge.

You should know enough to realize that in the end, your speed/strength and skills as well as your mental state can't be challenged by merely someone's height.

If that was the case then why are there so many martial arts legends who are short.

The only person to even think of such a thing has to have no experience in martial arts.

[USCMAAI]

Tall/short doesnt matter. Skill,Heart, and the ability to act is what matters. Bruce Lee was short, but his speed, realative strength, skill (including his intelligence) and above all heart is what made him such a great fighter. The old saying "it aint the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog" is really true.

[Montana]

Both a taller person and shorter person have advantages in a fight. It's how you use those advantages is what mak3es the difference. For instance, I'm 6'6" tall and 240 lbs, so my best advantage is reach and raw power. Basically, I hit and kick with a lot of force behind it, so my aim is to nail a person at a distance first before he can get into his own range.

As for a shorter person having an advantage in close? Generally I'd say yes, but a lot depends on the skill of each person. I'm comfortable in close, or on the ground. A shorter persons best advantage is quickness and in certain circumstances, leverage (such as in judo throws).