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

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/26/2011 7:07am

Alright guys.

I'm tried closing in. All this time I've always been very far, just trading kicks and timing the front leg.

So now I tried closing in just to get comfortable with fighting in closer range, I ate a bunch of punches but I got some in.:fuckyea:

I guess I really am just uncomfortable with range and suck at the whole punching game.

I probably will eat more punches, but I'll defend what I can and try to stay in that range more. I'll just keep in mind not to emulate a zombie and ignore the punches.:Determined:

Thanks for the replies.

BTW, is it OK to catch some punches on the skull and forehead? I mean, I don't plan on making a habit out of it, it's just that I'm already covering my temple and jaw and I don't wanna cover my eyes.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 4/26/2011 9:22am

Taking shots on the forehead is OK as opposed to the jaw nose etc. but it isn't a great strategy as it can still upset your balance. To close distance safely practice following his retreating punches in. Or bob and weave forward. Once you make someone miss you can step in after the bob and be inside.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/26/2011 9:30am

Originally Posted by iopyud

Alright guys.

I'm tried closing in. All this time I've always been very far, just trading kicks and timing the front leg.

So now I tried closing in just to get comfortable with fighting in closer range, I ate a bunch of punches but I got some in.:fuckyea:

I guess I really am just uncomfortable with range and suck at the whole punching game.

I probably will eat more punches, but I'll defend what I can and try to stay in that range more. I'll just keep in mind not to emulate a zombie and ignore the punches.:Determined:

Thanks for the replies.

BTW, is it OK to catch some punches on the skull and forehead? I mean, I don't plan on making a habit out of it, it's just that I'm already covering my temple and jaw and I don't wanna cover my eyes.

I have a video for that too.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/28/2011 8:03am

Whiteshark, yeah, I experienced exactly what you just said last session.

Omega, if you have a video of how to properly cover that, I would find that extremely useful.

EDIT:

Oh yeah, I also need to know. The Mike Zambidis guy punches the body at long range and I try to do the same.

My head is almost always on the chest level or a little lower of my opponent. Whether I punch to the head or the body.

I also use cross to the body but the thing is, won't those techniques set me up for a knee?

I think I'm going too low thanks to my krotty reverse punch point sparring days.

EDIT: Or maybe I should let my back leg slide along so my stance would stop sinking.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 4/28/2011 10:24am

Originally Posted by iopyud

I think I'm going too low thanks to my krotty reverse punch point sparring days.

EDIT: Or maybe I should let my back leg slide along so my stance would stop sinking.

Oh dear god. If this is even a consideration you need to practice nothing but footwork for at least a month.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/29/2011 7:56am

I'm sorry can you please elaborate? It was an honest question and I'm really lacking in footwork and I'm currently trying to deal with range and poor footwork.

This is what I was basically doing:

I guess what I should be asking is how to move while punching.

EDIT:

Got some references to try out in the gym tomorrow.
Gonna concentrate on footwork and drills then.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 4/29/2011 8:44am

To be more clear there is no MAYBE about this: "Or maybe I should let my back leg slide along so my stance would stop sinking."

You absolutely need to be able to slide forward and cover distance the only time your rear foot needs to plant is when you are landing your strike. Not when you are starting it. When you are landing it.

**iopyud** · Posted On: 4/29/2011 9:11am

Oh, I'm already doing that.
You scared me for a minute there.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/29/2011 9:41am

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

Oh dear god. If this is even a consideration you need to practice nothing but footwork for at least a month.

I must concur.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 4/29/2011 10:15am

Originally Posted by iopyud

Oh, I'm already doing that.
You scared me for a minute there.

No you aren't. You wouldn't have these complaints if you had good boxing style footwork. You would be able to move in and out of range at the right times and you would know the difference between your range and their range and you'd know where those ranges are.

Being shorter than your opponents is an obvious disadvantage. Having better more mobile footwork than your opponent is an obvious advantage. You already have one of those things now go get the other.