Advice for shorter people on S.D.

[EKEZSTKZ]

Mr. Caracci what advice can you give to people who have a height disadvantage? Most people I come across try and intimidate me with their size. But I just look them in the eyes and stay alert. Not that I look for trouble but people seem to think that shorter people are easy victims. What's your thoughts on this subject.

 

[CJ Caracci]

My friend,
When I instruct a fighting school, my brothers and I make it a point to observe each person's individual characteristics. Not all techniques work the same for all people, but there are many advantages to each individual. Learning what works for you or not, is of course up to you, however you must find an instructor who is used to your type, and capable of supplying plenty of options. Without writing a book, let me assure you that you have great strength in being close to the ground and anyone who would underestimate this individual could be in very big trouble.
There are so many things that come to mind but really it is more appropriate to see you move instead of how tall you are. I am sorry but words are not enough to pass on to you what I would recommend. I would have to see you, in order to properly assess the best techniques for you.

 

[Ferret]

My experience is that a lot of shortarses have a real need to "prove" and seem more likely to WANT to fight

 

[colobbfan]

Hey Ferret,
LTNS!
I'm pretty much "respectful" to everyone unless they're being jerks then I dis 'em. I'm 6'1"" and pushing the bathroom scale's "upper limit".

When I saw this thread at 4AM my time I thought "what can I tell short people to look for in SOUTH DAKOTA"?! Mount Rushmore is great. Just stand in front of the crowd if you're taking pictures!! Sorry EKEZSTKZ, it's VERY early my apologies!
John

 

[The Magician]

Being 5' 3" and about 120lbs. I don't intimidate would be BGs much.
I am not however an "easy target" type. Or, at least, I try not to look too helpless. I have no advice, sorry.

 

[Evolute]

I think that being short can have some advantages, regarding how people behave toward you. I'm rather tall, and many people seem to be unnecessarily intimidated for no other reason than my height, despite the fact that I'm scrawny (and friendly!). Some people also seem to have an odd need to somehow "compete" against my height "advantage". Therefore, I think that a short person may be better able to defuse a situation before it turns combative. When it comes to an actual fight, I think that a lot of people will hold back against a short person. Apparently, a very tall opponent inspires more fear, and this leads people who are fighting someone tall to change their attitude from that of a minor skirmish to that of a serious threat. Then people are more likely to try to whack you with a chair or slash you with a broken bottle, instead of just punch you.

 

[95Bravo]

You're right EK, I've seen a couple of my shorter(5'4") friends get messed with by some 6' plus guys. I ended it once when I (5'8", 190 lbs) "volunteered" to take on the skinny 6+ footer. He backed down. One time another short friend "cold-cocked" a 6'+ dude and knocked him out! All I can say is some guys, short or tall, are very insecure and you may need to diffuse a situation before it gets crazy. Don't act cocky, be humurous, but be ready to "explode". Furthermore learn to punch hard so you can take him down with one punch since a bigger guy has a lot of advantages so make speed and power one of yours. A lot of these tall guys are used to bullying people so they usually don't expect to get racked. Tall, skinny types go down with foot sweeps but the tall, solid types are tough. Head punches and choke holds on these guys are your only chance since their thick bodies can take punches. Once again, surprise and speed are your only advantages. Niether of these types usually like to take someone close to their size (pain).

I don't mean to bag on tall guys (some of my best friends are tall...) but I've seen a few of these situations occur especially when there is alcohol involved. All this cancels itself if you have a "short man's complex".

 

[EKEZSTKZ]

Thank you to all who replied to my message. I too have had experiences with others who have the "BIG-little-man" syndrome. Thank goodness I don't have it!!! Why walk around with that when life is too short(no pun intended). Seems to me that there are people who need to prove something, but I really don't. Thanks again. I'll just have to try and deal with it as appropriately as possible. Well off to the mall to purchase my platform shoes.

 

[Robert H]

I think short people have a definate advantage with a blade. I am somewhat of average size, 5'11'' 165, and while recently sparring with training blades I came across a short guy who knew exactly what he was doing. He got inside my guard and went to work on my midsection with a short blade, while fending off any of my attacks with his opposite arm. By "hugging the belt", as it were, I could only try to back pedal. But he stuck with me (literally), and really gave me a problem. I prefer close in and dirty myself, as it negates the power of large swings and stabs from amateurs. But if you exploit your small size it can be like tangling with an enraged badger on your lap.

 

[Spectre]

At 5'6", and about 144 lbs, I have found that many larger martial artists don't believe that (1)smaller people can be a threat, and (2) that they can learn anything from training with these people. Interestingly enough, invariably these same large people have no finesse, and try to brute force their way through techniques. They also typically have a lower pain threshhold than my good training partners...

Bigger people, bigger targets. It really is true! However, I will say I believe I cannot "play" with large types. That means NO QUARTER, 'cuz one solid hit, and this lightweight might be out.