Sparring Short "V" Tall

[Looneyas]

Im am only 5ft 6 and at training we have 3 black belts that are all 6ft 3 plus

 

I am lucky I am a X Gymastic as i can easy kick them in the head from standing or jumping. but to be that close to kick that high is hard as hell.

 

Any advice in dealing with the tall MA as I love sparring them as they make me work for any hits i get on them, In the meantime they drill me all over the dojo because of there reach.

 

I am fast with both legs and hands but i seem to have problem reading there kicks.

 

I can read most people before they kick, could it be because i focus on my eye level not theres due to there height

 

Thanks Giys

[karatekid1975]

Concentrate on a lower target. Try to focus on their shoulders. Their shoulders WILL twitch before they kick. Or concentrate on their "center line." Soon as you see that "twitch," blast'em when they are off balance

[White_Tiger]

It is tough sparring tall people. As mentioned above...don't watch the eyes. Keep your stare around the upper chest area. Look to counter. Block their technique and backfist or punch off the block. Use strong blocks to throw them off balance a bit, and strike when they are off balance. Ask them after sparring how they would attack themselves. Everyone knows their weaknesses, and Black Belts are more than happy to talk to anyone who wants to listen to them

 

Good Luck!

[Looneyas]

yes agreed, Its the power they deliver in there kicks,

 

Trust me they love sparring me as im fast and they love that but i try to watch there shoulders as looking at there eye level my neck gets sore looking up.

 

but i will try to counter when they move but these guys are like monsters.

[The Saint]

Try to get inside and jam their kicks. Being taller I use the distance game all the time....When someone comes in I try to go defensively, I've met a lot of good short fighters that have awsome hand skills. Hand skills inside are usful for a shorter opponent. As for the head shots, try aiming for the soft part right below the rib cage. Good luck

[Looneyas]

Thank you

 

Nice to get a reply from the tall MA.

 

I do agree with you on hand speed on the taller MA when we are in close I have it all over them, as they cant keep up with my hand speed, But its getting there, I seem to have the problem in going in after they kick and they seem to get me on the double or triple combo. I will try to get in before they can excute there combos see what happens.

 

Thank Again

[The Evil Betty]

I am only 5'3'', and most times am the only female sparring or in class. :pony:

 

I'm not a great sparrer at all, but here's what I try to do (at least in class):

 

 

 

- Fake them out.

 

-I block with my feet A LOT. They're stronger than my arms, and I still can keep my hands up to punch and protect my torso.

 

- I have a short torso but long legs, so I like to stealthily close the distance when I can ( hopping kicks, scissor moves, etc).

 

- in class, I have to do a lot of shoving since everyone's bigger and stronger than me. I can't do high kicks or wheel kicks well, so sometimes I have to shove back, or use a jumping back kick or a push kick to get someone away from me. (especially my 6'1'' black belt husband!)

 

- Sometimes you can intimidate a taller opponent by using the power of your ki-hap ( yell). People don't always expect smaller (especially female) people to be fierce.

 

- Quickness definitely helps against slower, stronger tall people. So does energy - taller people can tire out more easily at times ( just look around when your class does jumping kick practice)

 

- Try to get the taller opponent boxed into a corner or against a wall.

[swooshfinn]

Ok.... I am about 6 2 and about 240 lbs... I find it difficult to spar the smaller females in my class, but I also found it difficult spar against people that were taller than I.

 

I found myself trying to conserve energy against smaller opponents by trying to remain in one spot or only shuffling around a smaller area.

 

But facing more athletic bigger guys than me was a challenge... I had a harder time with their longer arm span and leg span....

 

The best advice I can give to a bigger guy facing smaller opponents is to try and make yourself a smaller target, get into an almost crouch-like stance while keeping a lower center of gravity and try to use your longer arms and legs to score some hits.

 

As for the larger opponents... I am still at a lose on that one.

[monkeygirl]

ONLY 5'6"?? I'm 5'3" (according to the doctors...my mom insists that I'm 5'1"...probably because she's 5'2" )!

 

Being short and sparring taller people is difficult, but only if you let it be that way. Skill and strategy can win over size any day of the week! If you let them intimidate you, however, you won't be able to utilize your skills and strategies. Of course, if that taller person is more skilled and experienced than you are, you'll have some difficulties.

[ZR440]

Jeez, that it vertically challenged. I bet you don't change many light bulbs.