Sparring Strategies

Shorter Opponent

Shorter opponents are often aggressive to make up for their height. Those with slight builds may be very quick. Shorter opponents tend to rush in with a combination attack and then rush back out of range.

To fight a shorter opponent:

• Take advantage of your height and reach. Shorter opponents cannot effectively block kicks from taller and heavier persons; they have to evade, so use kicks to score where you think they will be, not where they are.
• It is easier for you to punch or kick a shorter opponent's head and more difficult for him or her to punch or kick your head so keep the opponent worrying about his or her head.
• It is more difficult for you to punch the opponent's body and easy for him or her to punch your body so use you longer kicks to keep the opponent at bay.
• Push your kicks through a smaller opponent's defense and knock him or her off balance, and then use a follow-up technique.
• The opponent may be quicker than you, so "man handle" them and keep them on the defensive.
• Keep smaller opponents away since they will try to get close and inside your reach. Punch or use push kicks to make room.
• Use headshots since they are easier against a shorter opponent.
• Punching to body is difficult since you must punch downward, so use kicks, especially the axe kick. 
• Use a lot of cut kicks and fakes. 

The basic strategy is to keep your distance. When opponent comes in, cut him or her off with a linear kick, move to the side, and attack. When you cut opponent off, he or she may not stop attacking so move out of the way and then attack with a round kick. When you side step, keep the range that is best for your counter. If you are quick enough, you can cut an opponent off with an axe, back kick, or a high roundhouse while jumping backward.