How to fight/spar if you're really small?

Question

I've taken ATA style Taekwondo for the past... seven years. I was trained in Olympic style sparring for a year or so because my master wanted to form a team, which never happened. However, sparring was never my forte, and I'm not that great at at it. Which I would like to change. I'm only 4 feet 10 3/4 inches, and 103 lbs. I'd like advice on how I should fight/spar since I'm on the small side. As far as I know, I have no advantage at a distance because of my reach, and I've been told to stay close to whoever's my opponent. Thank you for any ideas you might have.

Answer 1

All the answers you have are good ........as far as sparring goes which like most TKD practioners you have confused with actual fighting

Your question should be in 2 parts '

For your size what is best for sparring

For your size what is best for self defense/real fighting.

For your size in a real fight you have a big weight and reach and probably strength disadvantage .Hit fast hit hard preferably somewhere vital or disabling then run .

Answer 2

Don't do the take the first hit... All it has to be is a lucky/well placed hit and you're down.

Now, as some have already mentioned you can get in and get out, but there-in lies the rub. They are most likely always going to be bigger than you and that means that you will have to travel twice the distance EVERY time. If the sparring match lasts long you will tire quicker and they will have that advantage over you. Instead what you need to try and do is...

If they bait you with a hand or leg sieze it and move in (cautious of the other extremities) and attack. if you up-root them with the siezed limb even better for you to attack. Up-root and change angle as you move in. Attack a lower limb then move in for the kill. Move around in angular directions to the sides NEVER back and forth! Also DO NOT disengage until you are finished with them. Either you accomplish your technique or they counter, if you're still alive... FLOOD them with flurried attacks, constantly moving. One advantage you HAVE is being short. You can easily widen your stance drop below an incoming strike and nail them. If your in and down, strike the legs, then move up into the armpit and finally to the throat or head. You could even do one of those hook kicks right between their arms and nail 'em in the face!

Try looking at some of that, I'm certain it will help you out. I myself am only 6' but have been at a Dojo with guys ranging from 6'4" 300lbs (atheletes) to people of your stature. Everybody's fighting style is different for their personalities and size, if you don't fear your "disadvantages" you will learn to make them your advantages and you will win!

Answer 3

Your strategy have to base on mobility and speed. Make sure your kick is faster than anyone in your class, if not train it. Make sure you move faster than anyone in your class, if not train it.

When in fight, put pressure on them as if you are going to move in, once they are under pressure, they will throw the first kick, once they miss they first kick move in and counter kick and land heaps of fast combo and stay close.

IT would be must easier if you use both hands and legs to stay close, or if you do a hand style like wing chun or southern praying mantis, you can keep on hitting them while your legs move in and in to stay close with your opponent.

Answer 4

First off, be aggressive; get in and get out. Use the style of the bird. 2 steps forward 1 step back. Keep pushing. Use a combo of kicks and punches including jump kicks, spinning kicks and jump spinning kicks. Practice your back-fist. Get it fast so that you can get in quickly.  Practice with ridge hands. Use them as strikes and don't wheel them around like a wind-mill. Practice combining basic boxing techniques and karate hand and kicking technique. All this and a dedication to the martial arts will take your Kumite to new levels.

Answer 5

I would not recommend Tae Kwon Do. I don't like an art that makes feet the primary focus of fighting, especially when they have face kicks or other wild, impractical maneuvers.

Tell your "master" to take a hike and find a school that focuses on street defense.

This may be of help: http://www.urlpire.com/?DWSJS

Answer 6

I now do Wing Chun and BJJ. But I started out at Taekwondo and reached my first dan Black Belt at 16, I am now 18. I share your problem at 5 foot 6 and 60 Kg. Getting in close is fine but do NOT stay there because bigger people are usually stronger and you will get pounded. You are much better off getting in,  then getting straight back out. But show a little aggression, utilizing combos consisting of no less than three strikes. You wont get far with single techniques. But in the end it comes with experience, the only way to beat size and strength is with skill.

It's an advantage to be short, because it forces you to raise the bar :)

Answer 7

Nathaniel Bland had a very good answer, but I would like to answer it.

I am also a girl (2nd degree black belt) who is fairly short, and sparring is not my forte. My advice, coupled with Nathaniel Bland's: Take the first hit, and go get 'em. Simple as that. If you can stand to lose the first point, you can easily gain several more using the techniques Bland suggested; also by staying close to your opponent. You can get in by losing that one point.

Happy sparring!