I need some advices because I'm too short and light... :(

[Patrick]

Welcome to KF, Gabrielle. Enjoyed reading the replies on this thread. Good contributions, everyone!

Patrick

[Evil Dave]

I had a female sensei when I came up that was about 5'4" and she really enjoyed letting the taller males know when they over reached themselves. Usually with a side kick into the arm pit. Did I mention she was quick and could get inside!

You are a green belt and are still learning, follow the advice given so far and why not try a few competitions? Not to become a 'fighter' {for lack of a better word}, but to see other fighting styles and female fighters in your grade level.

[JusticeZero]

recently read a post elsewhere by a woman who complained that her teachers often wanted her stances to be "shoulder-width" at her feet, and this made her unstable because she has narrow shoulders and wide hips. So she made her stances hip-width, a little wider, and that helped her a lot. I wrote a thing recently about how widening stances is better for people who dont have a lot of body mass to throw around, and how the wide stances let people move around fast. Play with footwork and timing and let us know how it goes.

[Evil Dave]

JusticeZero makes a good point, as a heavy lifting and olympic lifting coach I run across this argument on a weekly basis. My so and so instructor/coach said feet shoulder width / do not go below your knees, etc. etc. etc. Each body is different not only in size, but also in physiological history {past injuries and/or life experiences}. As instructor/coaches we must look at each person as individuals and make our instructions fit each individuals body and talents. This is the 'art' of teaching.

[sensei8]

JusticeZero makes a good point, as a heavy lifting and olympic lifting coach I run across this argument on a weekly basis. My so and so instructor/coach said feet shoulder width / do not go below your knees, etc. etc. etc. Each body is different not only in size, but also in physiological history {past injuries and/or life experiences}. As instructor/coaches we must look at each person as individuals and make our instructions fit each individuals body and talents. This is the 'art' of teaching.

Solid post!!

[SA Karate]

You have an advantage. They do not want to fight you, but you should want to fight them. Your size is actually an advantage sine you can move lower. Practice moving long steps in and out. The women around the world are some of the sharpest karate,a there are. Some Japanese women are like lightning, short yet dynamic. Do not think because you are a girl that is a problem, embrace who and where you are an overcome the negative ideas. As we get older, speed or timing? Think about that... Timing of course. Then shortest distance between two points? Straight line right...ok but how about a shorter line. Use the fist in front to launch the attack. Also go low, hard to defend against if executed properly. Another secret is tactics, how can you gain advantage during kumite? Each person must develop their own, one of mine has been to place right foot in front with right fist, since most training is designed for right handed, of which 8 out of 9 people are right handed, learn to switch, this way the opponent is not used to training this way, you get a slight advantage IF this is how you train. One student I had was a girl of 10, frustrated many times, but with the same strategy above and an attitude of perseverance and dismissing doubt, the girl thing, smaller, etc. and her understanding she IS a warrior, soon she was walloping the older boys, she became the warrior she had in her. You have an inner warrior. Bring it out and accomplish the goal. Kata is a very very good way to get your explosiveness to develop. Turn on the axis, quick and tight and you guessed it low. As a taller man, I must try to be smaller in my moves, by lowering center of gravity, guess what, you already have the advantage. Best of luck to you. Train train train. Kata kata kata.

[cheesefrysamurai]

Talk to your sensei. Let him know about your concerns. Those blackbelts should be trying to make you into a fighting machine, not intimidating you

[barrypardue]

Go at them with all you have then they will take you seriously

[infinitehand]

Ha! I have the same problem except I'm 26 and male! Can you imagine! My teacher would say your problem is your light, so you have to learn to take a blow, and use experience and treachery. Experience will come, so focus on the treachery!