Fighting techniques for someone who is short?

Question

is there any fighting skills i can learn for someone my size (5'4)?

Answer 1

Learn some ground techniques.

This way, you'll be able to fight someone who has good skills in stand-up and is very tall. Because height means nothing if you can mount them.

You should also definitely learn some stand-ups too though.

Answer 2

being shorter your more balanced this works well for using ju jitsu style moves, and using wrestling take downs

boxing and kick boxing are not strong because most people will be taller and have more of a reach

you need to level the playing field a little before you would start fighting so your both seeing each other eye to eye

Answer 3

Southern Shaolin styles are for short Chinese. Wing Chun was invented by a woman, Ng Mui, and chinese ladies are not tall usually.

Answer 4

kick shins, gouge eyes, punch the throat, fight dirty and smart.  You should also know several "small joint locks" being finger jams, pressure points etc. of coarse you should always be the one shooting for the take down and striking first.  

Because of your size disadvantage, your countering and reacting abilities are limited which is why you mush always be a step ahead of your opponent to make him react to you.  Use pure rage and unleash it, don't think things over too much because a larger opponent will definitely overwhelm you if you give him time to think things through.

Answer 5

Because your opponent will always outreach you, you have to eliminate that advantage immediately or lose the fight.  Try the "short style" kung fu - Wing Chun (i believe it's also referred to as "southern").  It concentrates on close in fighting techniques designed for shorter people precisely because the shorter, southern fighters were facing taller opponents from the northern parts of China.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Drop and hit them low to the groin and/or knees. Get inside in close and stay. As far as styles go, Wing Chun & Southern 5 animals kung fu are great for a shorter person.

Answer 7

learn boxing and wrestling, or MMA, and just forget about your height.  its not that big of a deal and worrying about it is more of an insecurity = hinderance than the height itself is a hinderance.

Answer 8

Krav Maga

Answer 9

Well as another in the "vertically challenged" club (5'6") and 140 lbs I would reccomend getting in up close and personal, don't allow a taller person to use those longer limbs.

I learned this lesson the hard way, I was wearing tactical gear when I got hit by a really good roundhouse that knocked me about 4 feet to my right, and even with the tac gear, made me do a "tooth check" with my tongue, I then got back into the game, crowded him and never feared a tall guy again.

Personally I would try an MMA, something with a lot of grappling, elbows, knees, striking and low kicking.  Your choice of an  art or system depends on your objective and what is offered in your area.

Do you want to  a sport or a combat art.   If you want to learn to defend youself in a variety of situations go with a combat art.  

Once you figure this out,  try a few places, see where you feel comfortable. The instructor should be able to help you develop your strengths, the fight that you are best at.  A good instructor is always watching each of his students, learns the students strengths and builds upon them while helping a student correct possible defects, without making you feel badly.

As a fellow short person I would steer clear of anything with high kicking, a high kick for a person with a 30" inseam is not a good strategy.  Look around, see what is available in your area, talk to instuctors about your needs, see what fits with you.  

Watch a couple of classes when you find a place you feel good about, see if they will give you a free trial, which is also a good way to see what fits you.

Good luck on the journey...

Answer 10

Guerilla Fighting...

throw a few punches then back up....

Combinations...step up to your target...punch him in the stomach for about 5-8 times...then continue in the position...while rotating your shoulder to punch on the chin...it works...

take downs...drop toe hold while they are swinging on you...(common wrestling move) but it really works in real life. When you subject is on the ground you can go for a head lock then throw some knees to the face and keep them in the grasp for some knees to the chest...

however i feel it is my duty to advise you this is just technique, you may not win the fight, but at least they saw that you are now a force to be reckoned with...

Answer 11

yes indeed  try the Smith and Wesson dojo

Answer 12

When I was in the boy's home I had to fight 24/7! the best tactic I use is grab them down low at the knees and slam them in to something, use your elbows when you can(they hurt bad!!!) and always try to knock out a tooth or break there nose not that it hurts but the shock of it is enough to stop them. Ps. the best thing to do is to get the **** in there and don't hesitate (give it all the rage you have in your mind!

Answer 13

Size shouldn't matter that much. I've seen world champion 5'3" guys defeat 6' tall guys.

Work on body shots. Short guys need to work on speed to get in and out. A lot of people under estimate shorter fighters. Trick is to be quick and frustrate bigger people.