Benefits of being short when sparring?

The way for a short fighter to beat a taller fighter in TKD style is to stay very close the whole time, so that they cannot fully extend their kicks. Because TKD doesn't use clinches, knees, elbows, and other such close range techniques, taller opponents have a difficult time once a shorter fighter gets inside of their range.

You need to stay aggressive the whole time. Most of the time in sparring I see a lot of back and forth, sort of like people are taking turns attacking one another. A tall fighter can get away with that, because he can strike you, then get out of your range before you can counter. When shorter than your opponent, you need to constantly be in their face, so they cannot employ this tactic. The most important thing you can do is go over strategy with your instructor to see what he would have you do, since no two fighters are alike.

If it were me, here is the strategies I would employ:

1. Start the match with a hopping (push off front, rear leg kick) front kick (try to cover a good 5-7 feet distance), followed by your favorite combo to get you inside and work them.

2. Focus on lots of powerful punching (for the sake of scoring, don't just flurry, but show clear powerful punching) as well as using the inside out crescent kick.

3. Build 4 close range combos to switch between frequently. For example:

a. Use front hand to pull down their guard, reverse punch, then rear leg roundhouse kick

b. Go to closed stance (your LF forward, their LF forward), Front foot Roundhouse kick as high as you can go, pull the foot back, and side kick with same foot to their floating ribs (just under their left elbow). Double punch.

c. Go to open stance (your RF forward, their LF forward), bring guard up high, to get them to do midsection roundhouse, counter with turning back kick their midsection

d. Front leg roundhouse midsection x2 (get their guard used to dropping), then front leg double roundhouse (mid then high).

4. Hit hard! Kick them through their guard, so they are afraid of your attacks. This will keep them on the run.

5. While they are retreating, watch out for the counter. Keep using your hopping techniques to cover distance. Remember your advancing technique covers more ground than their retreating technique. If they move into you instead, go torso to torso with them, and catch them on the way out (lot of great techniques to use here)

6. Tire them out, and catch them when their hands start to drop.

7. Don't shy away from head shots, Remember, most taller opponents don't guard face alot because they don't think they need to.

You can duck a lot faster :) Lol really though, act confident, move quickly, dodge, and be flexible. I could kick over my head when I was in karate and it helped reach the heads of taller opponents (I was 5'2"). Also, I sparred against a short little 4.5' girl once and lost because she could move a lot faster than me.

the best thing for you is when doge there kick then that's when your counter attack the other guy its like this, your small so your like a military plane your don't stay in one spot you will always need to move and your opponent that's bigger is like a battle ship they might be slow but be careful when he try to throw a bomb at you and take you out (the person is kicking) that's why your plane you should fast then once your ready you attack your opponent, as soon he puts his foot down you make the move

There isn't many advantages to being shorter and having shorter reach.. I guess the only advantage would be that you could move inside of their reach and throw punching combos and short leg kicks

u r faster do to a lower center of gravity, and ur opponent wont see what ur going to be throwing at them. also if ur can generate enough power ur attacks can be very exposive

think of it like this youre smaller so you are more agile and faster. get close so you make hard for himto hit or backup to out of range. wear him out bigger they are funnier they fall