How To Fight Against A Taller Opponent?
Whether it is a professional combat sports match or a self-defence scenario, fighting against a taller opponent who also has a longer reach is challenging.
Still, with a few adaptations and a strategic approach, you can use this to your advantage to win a fight.
Since they have a high centre of gravity, the key is to attack them low using shots to the body or low kicks to disrupt their timing, balance and movement. Also, always be on the move and use angles and head movement to be off the centre line.
This is just a brief explanation of how you should fight against taller opponents. Be sure to read the rest of this article to learn more.
Stay Mobile
When facing a taller opponent, never stick in one place for more than a second. By staying flat-footed and standing in front, you are playing their game.
Tall people prefer to have their smaller targets directly in front. This enables them to use long-range strikes such as the jab or front kick to do damage, protect their range or set up more powerful combinations. So do not play their game.
Instead, try your best to make quick moves in all directions. Quickly fake to the right then move to the left, do your best to confuse them. Since their centre of gravity is high, tall people are not as mobile as you are so use this to your advantage.
Each time they try to follow you, they need to reset their position before launching an attack. This gives you the time to position yourself before them, and attack or set up the counters.
Keep moving and don’t become a stationary target. Taller opponents may try to keep you at bay with long-range strikes, so use lateral movement and constant feints to keep them guessing.
Stay low
Taller opponents have the advantage of long reach that enables them to land shots from a safe distance. However, this works as long as the target is at the same height level of their strike. In other words, they might have a hard time hitting a person who is much below their striking level simply because throwing punches in a downward motion is less natural.
The best example of this was Mike Tyson. Despite being a heavyweight, Tyson always fought under big height and reach disadvantage. His main tactic was to keep his stance as low as possible to make it harder for his opponents to find the target. Then, he would use head movement to further make himself a smaller target, and move in to close the distance without taking damage.
You should apply the same tactic. Use a wide stance, bend your knees a bit, duck your chin and keep your hands high. This way, you will be much harder to hit than by standing upright.
Attack low
When facing a taller opponent, you might have a hard time targeting the head. In most cases, the opponent is going to move out of the way before you reach them. If you can’t close the distance first, do not expect to land headshots. You are going to miss, lose balance and expose yourself to counterattacks.
Instead, attack the body and legs. Use hard low kicks to target the calf muscles or thigh. Tall people have long legs which are harder to defend and more exposed. Get the most out of this by repeatedly landing hard kicks to the same spot. Just two or three well-placed ones can compromise their movement and cause sharp pain.
The same stands for body shots. A hard punch or kick to the solar plexus or liver can instantly end a fight. First, the force can knock the win out of their lungs while a punch to the liver can shock their nervous system and drop them to the ground.
Thus, stay composed, calm, and prioritize your target. Do not chase a knockout blow to the head and look for other openings such as legs or body.
Use Footwork and Angles
Creating angles allows you to exploit the openings in your opponent’s defence by attacking from positions where you’re less expected and where your strikes or manoeuvres are more effective. This strategy is useful against taller opponents, as it helps mitigate their reach advantage.
An angle is created when you position yourself in such a way that you can hit your opponent, but your opponent has a hard time hitting you back effectively.
This often means being off to the side of your opponent rather than directly in front of them. Most fighters move back and forth in a straight line. By moving diagonally or sideways, you create angles that can confuse your opponent and open up opportunities to strike.
Sidestep is a common tactic. As your opponent attacks, step to the side (left or right) while pivoting on your foot. This movement not only helps you dodge the attack but also places you in a position to counter-strike.
The other one is pivoting, commonly used by boxers. Pivot on your front foot, turning your body and stepping out to create an angle on your opponent. This can be done as you throw a jab or a lead hook, allowing you to hit and “get off the line” of a direct counterattack.
Once you’ve created an angle, use combinations to maximize damage. Since you’re in an unexpected position, your opponent will have a harder time defending against a series of strikes.
Utilize Clinching and Grappling
Taller opponents may struggle in close quarters, so clinch up and work on grappling techniques such as takedowns, throws, and submissions.
The clinch is a grappling position where you’re close enough to your opponent to hold them, usually by wrapping your arms around their torso or neck. In this range, the taller opponent’s reach advantage is less relevant, and they might find it more difficult to use their height to generate power.
To get into a position, always set up your entries using feints with your strikes and sudden level chances to close the distance without getting hit. For example, throwing a jab or a low kick can distract your opponent as you move in to clinch.
Or you can wait for the opponent to throw a punch to duck under and level change for a takedown. MMA fighters often do this.
Once in the clinch, your goal is to control your opponent’s posture and balance. Use your head position, grip, and body weight to off-balance your opponent. Keep your head close to your opponent’s head or chest to control their movement and prevent them from creating space to strike.
Is Being Taller An Advantage in a Fight?
Being tall can offer certain advantages in a fight, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Generally, taller individuals have longer reach, which means they can strike their opponent from a safe distance without getting too close. This enables them to keep the opponent at bay and land strikes before the opponent can reach them.
Next, taller people may have better leverage in certain grappling situations, such as clinches or holds, allowing them to control their opponent’s movements more effectively.
Also, let’s not forget that being tall may appear more imposing and intimidating, which can sometimes deter potential attackers or give them a psychological advantage in a confrontation. But in the end, technique always prevails and there are countless examples.