Getting in on a taller opponent

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 1:35pm

I'm not very tall so my opponent usually has a reach advantage on me. Frequently when I spar I have trouble getting close enough to my opponent- too often when I try to close the distance I end up eating a jab without making much progress. Clearly a big part of my problem is that I need to work my foot work. If you've been in this situation what strategies have worked for you? I'm asking this in the context of boxing, but I'd be interested in hearing from kick boxers as well. Any ideas would be appreciated.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 1:38pm

if I'm against someone significantly taller than me, I stay low to offset the reach of their jab and weave my way in.

**Ryno** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:11pm

Search function. Topic covered recently.

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:30pm

Originally Posted by Ryno

Search function. Topic covered recently.

My search didn't come up with anything, can you post the link? I've been thinking about this all day because this is the reason I got owned sparring last night. The guy I was working with had my number, but if I'd had a better game plan it would have gone a long way.

**Feryk** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:38pm

Originally Posted by Kidspatula

if I'm against someone significantly taller than me, I stay low to offset the reach of their jab and weave my way in.

She's right. As a taller guy, this is how short people get inside on me.

**warnerj5000** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:52pm

This is probably a stupid way to do it, but I've had some success just covering up and walking forward, eating punches til i get close enough to swing back.

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:53pm

Keep punching. You're not going to be able to out jab so don't bother trying. The classic moves would be right hook up top or straight to the body just under the heart.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 2:59pm

Originally Posted by warnerj5000

This is probably a stupid way to do it, but I've had some success just covering up and walking forward, eating punches til i get close enough to swing back.

That's one way to do it, and it'll work on most schlubs I reckon, but a good counter fighter or someone with good footwork will tear you up before you get inside.

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 3:13pm

Originally Posted by warnerj5000

This is probably a stupid way to do it, but I've had some success just covering up and walking forward, eating punches til i get close enough to swing back.

This is exactly what was getting me in trouble; it was like Kid S. said, his footwork was too good for me to just over-power him like that. When I took the defensive I didn't have a problem but when I went on the offensive he was able to land a lot of shots while keeping his distance. Once I calmed down and stopped being recklessly aggresive I started to be able to slip his jabs (I'm fairly new to boxing so this is something I'm just starting to be able to do) but I ran out of time before I could take advantage of it. My coach suggested that I might have been able to get in an over-hand right when I did that.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 8/16/2006 3:19pm

Try to work more on cutting off the ring. Force them into to the corners. Try working more movement drills with a partner where you cut off their movement.