I'm short and do MT, need advice on range/punching

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/22/2011 9:49am

I'd like to chime in but this conversation is all over place. Let me know if we you if you got what you want.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 1:04am

No man, it's OK.

I need all and any help/advice I can get and I appreciate the time you you guys are giving me.

My coach told me to study angling for now, so I will try to move around some more instead of just standing in front.

Blocking/parry, yeah I need to work on raising my guard and shelling up.
I could get some counters in but they're not very consistent.

Now, the combinations that start with kicks are weird.

I do low kick-jab-cross, low kick-cross, sometimes cross to the body and then lunging left hook.

The thing is, some people don't feel threatened by my punches and not defend, after being kicked they cross my face if I try to punch the stomach.

If they blocked, no problem, I can get my combos in but more often than not, they just cross my face after the kick.

I can't tell what I'm doing wrong.
Am I predictable, am I slow (doubt it), or maybe my guard is just down (they're on my cheek, should I go higher?).

Here's some I've been trying:

EDIT: OK, maybe I've been doing it a liiiittle slow.

**Neo Sigma** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 6:51am

Am I predictable

Probably. One of the guys in my gym freaking LOVES inside leg kick-cross, and he's very good at it, but he does it so often that people are starting to time it and counter.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 7:08am

I can't really tell why people are so good at crossing my face in the middle of my combinations.

It's either I suck or they don't care about blocking.

I'm gonna have to STFU and spar and see what happens.
For now, I'll try angling and moving around some more because I already have the set ups/combinations.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 8:37am

Not specific to your needs but I think these might help:

If you look at these videos you'll notice a small motif. I think this might help you in moving to the side.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 9:15am

Looks similar to angling to the right with a slip.

I haven't drilled the slip stuff to actually be able to use it but I'll try some head movements when I'm angling.

EDIT: I am soooooo trying that knee down thing when someone catches my leg.

**StanLeeUMA** · Posted On: 4/24/2011 8:18am

If you are shorter and are attempting to close the distance against a taller opponent you have a few choices.

If you approach your opponent while he is inbalance you will get hit as you step into his range.
What you need to to is work on drawing out your opponents attacks by staying on the outside edge of his range and getting him to commit to a kick. Be elusive. When he commits to a kick slip just out of range for a moment and then close the gap as your opponent attempts to regain his balance. Move close enough that you can punch(throwing hooks and uppercuts) but too close for your taller opponent to get extension.(In MT you may be vulnerable to elbows and knees at this range depending on the ruleset you fight under.)

Most taller opponents won't want to fight at this range and will attempt to move back and create space in order to use their reach advantage. This gives you the chance to use your kicks at they retreat.

You should also really work on head movement in order to minimize getting hit while crossing into the pocket where you can punch and they can't.

If you watch a good technical fighter like Machida fight, youll see him control the distance in a smiliar manner.

Hope that helps you. Good luck

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/24/2011 9:50am

You're basically telling me to move in after he kicks me?

Hmm.

**StanLeeUMA** · Posted On: 4/24/2011 10:11am

No. I'm telling you to bait him into trying to kick you and then closing the distance while he is off balance. You can't close the distance if he is standing there waiting for you.

Move to the outside edge of his kicking range, where he might be able to reach you, slip out of the way as he kicks and then move in at the opportune moment as he tries to regain his balance.

**dwkfym** · Posted On: 4/24/2011 5:30pm

There are so many ways to close the distance. And you CAN close the distance if he is standing there waiting for you. Just set up the move with some feints or jabs.

Jamming the kick is one of the many ways to do it. But before you get good with any of this, you have to refine your sense of range as I've said, and then doors will start opening up for you.