Beating the Reach

[marie curie]

Hey, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get past kicks and into an opponent when their leg is longer than yours and their arms are longer than yours by a bunch?

Every time I come in, my long-legged opponents kick, and I can't get through without either sacrificing my balance by blocking with a leg, or sacrificing both arms to defending.

My training has mostly been in a style of karate that doesn't stress kicks so much, and most of the people in my new style have done a lot more TKD thank me (I only did four months), so in addition to having the arm reach, they have and really know how to use the leg distance.

[Martial_Artist]

This may sound horribly simple, but if you want to be a longer reach you will have to control your opponent better. Try utilizing feigns. Get them to commit to a direction you won't be in and attack from another. You will also have to be faster. Work on building fast twitch muscles. If you are smaller try wearing them out. Don't let them hit you and move around until they tire out enough to become sloppy in teh execution of their technique and then take advantage of the opening.

You should ask your teacher, too. They can see what you're doing (I cannot and can only surmise and offer general advise) and help you improve closing the distance into your domain.

[Jiffy]

As long as their attack is travelling in a straight line, move to the outside. It then doesn't matter how long they're legs are. Move to the outside and block with either arm.

[shogeri]

Move in and away from the strike, whether its a leg or arm.

The above is based upon more aggressive in-fighting. If you want the more defensive situation, then step outside of the strike, guiding it away, and then counterstrike or sweep, etc.

Reading your opponent and becoming more proactive than reactive, is crucial in this instance.

Get there before they are half way through with their movement, whether it is a block or strike.

Good luck!

[marie curie]

As long as their attack is travelling in a straight line, move to the outside. It then doesn't matter how long they're legs are. Move to the outside and block with either arm.

I've been working on this, but as I try to move to an off-angle, my opponent adjusts to keep me to his front or side. If I do it when he is striking, it seems to work better, but I definately have to work on my speed to be very affective, because usually the kicks have a follow-up hand technique that he is all ready to use on me.

I've always worked in a lot of feints to get past....so my usual opponents aren't biting the bait so much anymore

Wearing them out is a good idea for a real fight I hadn't really thought of, because all of the people in my striking class have two hours of BJJ afterwords, so we all try to conserve energy.

Thanks! I'll try these out tomorrow at class!

[Jiffy]

Speed is a big factor in beating reach. The key to this is waiting as long as you can before defending. Also, don't forget, one of the best defences is offence. If you have the speed, beat them to it. If you don't have the speed, you'll really need to develop good blocks. Unfortunately, reach is a definate advantage (I'm also not very tall... 5'9"). Generally people with reach are tall so learn to be quick and learn to keep low. Also, practice Ashi Berai (foot sweep), it's an invaluable technique for sparring with taller people. Let me know how you go.

[atateen007]

Wait for them to start putting there leg down then kinda block it downward jump on top of them and punch... My special . Plus just get in close, they cant do much

[Martial_Artist]

There seems to be a promulgation of the thought that those with reach are * once you get within that range.

Who here believes this? Let's not assume that someone with reach only is proficient at fighting with that advantage and that once you close in you will naturally be superior because of your lack of reach. Who's to say your inside game is better only because you have shorter arms?

I'm 6'3" and have really good reach over just about everyone I fight/spar/train with. But, that doesn't mean that once they get close to me that my mind and body suddenly shut-off and I can't function properly. I assure you that my inside game is very, very good.

My point is, there seems to be a lot of advice about simply getting beyond the reach, but little suggestion about what to do once you get there. It seems to be assumed that once you break the barrier you've magically won.

I would work more on controlling your opponent better AND moving the distance into a range where YOU can attack effective, but definitely don't assume that simply getting close (i.e. beyond that long arm or leg) that you'll win easily.

[marie curie]

We worked some on this Monday because I asked my teacher to do it He paired me with someone 10 inches taller than me (I'm 5' 4'') and I worked my passing his leg while simultaniously defending for the punch/hand strike/etc. and attacking at subtle angles (that was a big problem of mine- the angle at witch i was comming in was way too big). Once I was in there I at least had a fighting chance (haha- a pun), whereas without getting in there I could only defend.---Wahoo!!!

I also found out that from a point closer than he could land a hard kick, I could still land a good kick on him.

And yes, then I had to deal with his inside fighting skills after I made it in, but as much as he doesn't stink at the short game, I stunk less and for a chick going up against a guy we lovingly call "frankenstien", stinking less was awesome.

Thanks for all the advice! More is welcome at any time!

[Jay]

Way of the intercepting fist- as soon as he moves intercept him using your fastest or longest weopon against his nearaest target