Long lanky fighters: understanding your reach advantage

Clip from Ramsey Dewey Podcast #16 with sparring footage and an original beat. Shanghai based MMA coach Ramsey Dewey and Andrew Parker discuss how to use a reach advantage when you are the taller fighter against a short stocky opponent.

[@paulbadman8509]

“Short stout guys: understanding your low center of gravity advantage” next?

[@sebmeister67]

i tragically second this

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

"The Weeble effect"

[@walterevans2118]

Will Holz....What was that advert ?.....'Weebles WOBBLE but they don't fall down' ?....lol

[@walterevans2118]

lol

[@dasuberkinchen]

I did point sparring at an american Kenpo tournament a couple years back, and they refused to count any jabs as points. I spent a bunch of years refining my jabs because of my reach advantage (I'm 6'6" with a positive ape index). Needless to say, I lost. BUT, i learned a valuable lesson. Point sparring is bullshit.

[@alicaido6616]

coming from armed martial arts, (swordfighting and the like), point sparring is basically the only way we can do it. It's kind of sad, as a lot of the historical manuals and evidence from historical finds of ruined armor and other things that showed what sort of injuries occurred on a battlefield show that we will never really be able to recreate the old manuals through things like point sparring. Obviously we never use sharp weapons and are in full body gear, but in most tournaments you can't grapple and takedown an opponent. The fights boil down to 'sniping' sessions where after each hit you reset and go again. I don't know if you can draw any comparisons from that for hand to hand stuff, but hey there's a rant for you :D

[@Omriwein]

Who actually counts points in point sparring? We just call it point sparring because it’s just a way to say that we’re gonna go really light and just normal sparring

[@steelmongoose4956]

This advice will come in very handy for me next time I fight a grade-schooler.

[@Just._JD]

This couldn't have come at a better time for me. Thanks 🙏

[@vladimir1180]

same for me hahaha

[@punishedbearzerker5400]

You gotta channel your inner Dhalsim.

[@rfrancoi]

Captivating conversation guys... Thank you.

[@jacobkeary6740]

*_Now one for short stocky fighters_* 💪🏼

[@pierrebridenne8870]

Sugar Ray Robinson, when he was young is a great example on how to use your fist when you are lanky.

[@eagleflight2627]

Basically, tall guys: long attacks, linear strikes and blitzing, lunging, also dominate the clinch, trust me tall guys have advantage in clinch. Short guys: a lot of head movement, framing to avoid clinch, body shots, many circular strikes, hooks, uppercuts, keep the distance close.

[@paulbadman8509]

Eagle Flight also takedowns for short guys. And uppercuts are better for taller guys.

[@goodbuy7556]

short guys can use all the things you mentioned for long guys, only with angles, which is dominant over using it without angle(for example it is better to blitz in an angle than linear, and short guys can blitz in an angle easy)

[@eagleflight2627]

Well yeah, I mean even the opposite can work, a tall guy working the body and pushing forward mike tyson style. What you train works, I just mentioned preferred strategies that have some sort of advantage for either a taller or a shorter guy.

[@eagleflight2627]

@@HessianLikeTheFabric it is true that shorter guys can easily go for the legs and get good takedowns due to their low center of mass, BUT tall guys have a big advantage when it comes to upper body wrestling and trips: Longer legs= wider base, short guy has to make a step first during twisting therefore opens up for trip Higher shoulder level makes thai clinch aka grabbing the head much much easier Higher hip level= easier to land knees Plus longer reach= easier to enter clinch. So yeah, taller guys have an advantage in clinch. If you are not convinced yet, check out a video from coach firas zahabi on how to fight taller opponents, he specifically says avoid clinch.

[@counterkidnapping1737]

@@eagleflight2627 oh yeah, firas zahabi, I've watched his vid, he said avoid clinch, keep moving in out and circling, don't stay there, don't try to direct attack

[@vladimir1180]

Great advice. Thanks!

[@quanduplicusfingerdinglebe541]

I needed this!

[@DunedainAkkarin]

While I'm tall 6'3", I'm also quite heavy 100kg. I've always found a nice jab for range followed by a nuclear right cross usually has people deciding not to push things further. I also really enjoyed what Muay Thai gave me. If someone sees my height, and decides to close, they're eating elbows and knees, and if they want to clinch, I can usually force separation because I'm heavier and stronger than average.

[@lucian5389]

Same here but I'm 6'5

[@walterevans2118]

Ultimate example of this on film would be Bruce vs Kareem Abdul Jabbar...lol.....When these two sparred in private James Coburn said it wasn't like the stuff they did for cinematic camera..Coburn remarked...-'Kareem could never even touch Bruce...Couldn't touch him.'..Too evasive..

[@ramalellison9205]

THANK YOU#!

Very good time to drop a video like this, especially after Hooker vs Iquinta and Adesanya vs Whittaker from UFC 243.

[@FILIPFIXTIGER]

It's hard to submit a short guy, like armbar.

[@RamseyDewey]

It can be.

[@FILIPFIXTIGER]

@@RamseyDewey , yes but is easy with a triangle. I had a short muscilar rival in my old dojo & i can tell from experience.

[@FreebyrdFayelanx]

Got tempted again to comment on this channel’s videos...How to defend yourself when your taller (using kicks) than your other opponent: Side Kick, Spinning Side/Back Kick, Jumping Back Kick someone rushing in - especially with punches. You can lead leg Roundhouse to head too. If your have the background or have other striking art exp and want to add onto it, I’d recommend Taekwondo kicks for the longest range, most people forget that many of it’s kicks use the instep, thus the maximum possible distance to kick as opposed to shin (unless your launching or stepping into a Kick), Karate, Muay Thai etc kicks are great for a for medium distance. For me the difference is about +40cm range for instep vs shin. Taekwondo like boxing is very important because it teaches footwork to evade as opposed to blocking (Muay Thai, Karate etc) and with boxing so you can step off after a strike and evade people getting close to you. Not having a go at Karate, MT or any other art, their great in their own ways. Many years TKD exp and boxing (less so latter).

[@portugueseboy5887]

I'm 190cm tall (6'2 ) and my coach is way shorter than me, anyway I get beated all the time :D ;)

[@RamseyDewey]

It’s funny, everyone thinks that being taller is automatically an advantage, but it’s not UNTIL you learn how to use it.

[@portugueseboy5887]

@@RamseyDewey my arms reach longer than his, it's a fact, but he always gets me upwards -_-

[@thegoatrondo7329]

@@portugueseboy5887 you are 6'3 :)

[@portugueseboy5887]

@@thegoatrondo7329 thank you :)

Portuguese Boy yo same height haha. I feel that height hindrance man.

[@Rifforecordz]

I'm 6'3 but not always the taller fighter in the divisions I comete in but what I personally use a lot are: I love the jab, "different variations" of the 1-2. For example throw the 1 feint the 2 wait for them to react then throw the 2. As far as kicks go I love the teep, highkicks and I also like (might be controversial) the oblique kick.

[@RamseyDewey]

What’s controversial about oblique kicks?

[@Rifforecordz]

@@RamseyDewey I think a lot of people frown on them because of the long term damage they could do to the opponent. I remember the coach of one of my opponents went crazy after a fight telling me I'm a dirty fighter. My coach told me if you can kick full force to a guy's face why shouldn't you throw your oblique kicks. My coach always tells us whatever is allowed in that fight you can and should do. The game plan is make sure you get out of there healthy with a win. Btw he also hates the touch of gloves during the fight just like you. ALWAYS PROTECT YOURSELF he yells hahah.

[@RamseyDewey]

Reminds me of the fight between Changpuek Kiatsongrit and Rick Roufus (one of the first Miay Thai vs American kickboxing matches ever) Rick got kicked in the leg for the whole fight until he was TKO’d unable to stand up. Afterward he and his coaches wouldn’t stop yelling about how leg kicks were dirty and how Kiatsongrit should have been disqualified (even though leg kicks were perfectly legal under the rule set they had agreed upon) Now, all the Roufuses reach leg kicks as the most standard kickboxing technique.

[@dinninfreeman2014]

I'm so backwards I'm tall and lanky but love wing Chun and mui tai and am most comfortable up close part of it is that my eyes aren't great though so bring about to rely more on touch is a huge plus

[@angelmirchev8433]

I'm not the shortest guy but fairly short. Because most people I fight are bigger than me I learned pretty decent head movement. Also I'm ok against people my size because due to fighting much bigger people I feel like I've learned how to use my limited reach to the best of my ability.

[@taekwondomaster4609]

I’m 6’1” and I’m very happy 😆

[@NerdyPro]

Ramsey can we get a short read video? I may be six foot but a lot of me is torso.

[@eduardoperi9897]

I try to use my reach advantage, but tend to go close because I feel that if I miss my cross or anything involving my back hand i'll fall and be off balance

[@RamseyDewey]

Oooo... I’ve got a technique for you that will solve your problem. Take a tiny step forward with your back foot (about two inches or 5cm) strike the ground with the ball of your foot right before your straight punch is fully extended. Do it right and it will increase your stability, and power while greatly extending your reach. I’m going to make a video about that soon. It’s a tiny detail that’s easy to miss, but makes a huge difference.

[@eduardoperi9897]

@@RamseyDewey I'd love to see a video of that technique, many thanks from the Dominican Republic my friend!

[@walterevans2118]

Interesting.

[@davidkolodziejczak6770]

I hated fighting (sparing) long lanky types. Back when I was an idiot my ving tsun school went against a kick boxing school and most of us were destroyed by simple hooks.

[@giovannip.1433]

Problem about being 'shorter' is that if you go into a tackle you have to contend with knees and elbows before you are in position... Is reach is an advantage up to the point of leverage? - i.e. shorter guys of the same weight class have better leverage up close?

[@Productions-bo3zp]

I had the same problem for years I kickboxer until I met my current trainer I’m a heavyweight but I’m physically stronger than the average guy he said to me let others come in your range don’t work to much but jab with your power until you find your moment and then punish the opponent and it’s a style that works for me I started in my early thirty’s and my trainer then wanted things that didn’t suit me so you gotta find your style I guess

[@Jenjak]

I'm a long lanky guy. And recently I tried to imagine myslef and fight like I was shorter, lowering my center of gravity (basically following Icy Mike's advices on the cockroach boxing). My observations are that it's way more tiring, it requires more cardio, but I was able to land some beautiful combos and transition in wrestling way way more easily, plus I felt harder to catch with punches and kicks. Do you think it's a good strategy? Usually my instinct is more like playing the jab game, keeping the distance, but I feel like I tend to become too passive or predictable I don't know... I often end up being countered. But this low explosive boxing style had some good results in my last sparring sessions.

[@RamseyDewey]

I haven’t seen Mike’s video on the subject, but if it’s giving you the result you want, then it’s the right way. Generally speaking, good boxing is much more demanding on the muscles of the legs than poor boxing.

[@walterevans2118]

Yes, because good footwork is what gets weapons to target & gets one out of the line of fire of opponents weapons. Using up more muscle energy.

[@kwang9209]

speaking of reach whats your opinion after israel adesanya vs whitteker

[@Jayngfet]

Ramsey you mentioned in another video a lot of fights in China are worked and fixed. Is there a lot of professional wrestling in China? I can see there's OWE which is partnered with AEW but I'm not sure how popular or prolific that brand is.

[@RamseyDewey]

Pro wrestling has a very small following in China. The WWE does promotional stuff at comicon once a year, that’s all I’ve seen.

[@realitycheckselfdefence7840]

If only I knew what it was like to be a tall boi

[@jeffreywright2294]

I always like to Jab

[@jeffreywright2294]

Thanks

[@abyssmanur3965]

I'm only 173 but my tip to tip reach is exactly 180 ... is that good?

[@Anonymous-ym2qw]

Im learning abt it because Im 5'10 tall and 74 inches armspan.🙂

[@CarolinaPride95]

I’m 5’6 with a 70 inch wingspan so the same ratio as you 😂

[@Anonymous-ym2qw]

@@CarolinaPride95lol nice

[@ww_zed8740]

But Ramsey, what if I'm short and lanky!

[@zachcouch8654]

In summary: Jab and run

[@flavoredchin]

I'm the worst combo. 5' 11", 160 lbs. Too short to be tall and lanky, too lanky to by short and stocky. In just short and lanky.

[@RamseyDewey]

In some parts of the world, you are a veritable giant!

[@flavoredchin]

@@RamseyDewey fair, but not around my neck of the woods.

[@smradztoiek]

OK, so being kinda short (175 cm on a good day)... I basically gotta become Mike Tyson :)

[@GunnLeonn]

Would me being 5'10 145 be tall for my weight? Or is that average?

[@CarolinaPride95]

I’d say 145 is below average for a 5’10 guy. I’m 5’6 and weigh 145 and feel like I’m “skinny” for my height still

[@mounir6006]

I'm 6'6 should i avoid martial arts or fighting sports?

[@FortniteKid-jm7gx]

Absolutely not!

[@Tevatron044]

If you know how to fight, they'll be avoiding YOU, u damn giant lol I'm 6'3"

[@Elurin]

at 6'6 you don't need martial arts; just pick them up and drop them on their head. No, but seriously, martial arts are a ton of fun - as long as you have a good teacher/coach/instructor, and good fellow students, and its not too expensive.

[@Jenjak]

You should avoid it only if you hate it. But if you love it, nothing should stop you.

[@buffoonustroglodytus4688]

I'm 8'10 should i suck my own penis??

[@metalmayfantasy]

I do have a hard time using my reach.

[@RamseyDewey]

It can take a long time to figure out your reach.

[@metalmayfantasy]

@@RamseyDewey after two years of my coaches telling me that I have reach, and to use it, I finally measured myself and I am 5'11 and have a 75 inch arm span. Then it dawned on me on why they kept saying it, my reach is as long as the tallest people in my gym.

[@CarolinaPride95]

@@metalmayfantasyyou definitely have a fairly long reach for your height. I’m actually the same height to reach ratio as you but I’m 5’6 with a 70 inch wingspan.

[@oakland2425]

Ramsey, why don't you break down UFC fights? Clearly many of your subscribers are UFC fans as well and it would be natural for you to do breakdown videos like Luke Thomas.

[@RamseyDewey]

Copyright strikes. The UFC is extremely protective of its IP.

[@oakland2425]

@@RamseyDewey Well you don't have to show their video. Jusr break down fights like Luke Thomas or Chael Sonnen does.

[@counterkidnapping1737]

GSP is short. No way he could be a best jabber

[@RamseyDewey]

Go watch some film studies on GSP’s jab. You’ll learn a great deal.

[@stuflames4769]

Short is relative. GSP was average to above average height and reach in the weight classes he fought in.

[@bikestunters98]

Gsp is 5ft 10 with a 6ft 4 wingspan

[@counterkidnapping1737]

@@bikestunters98 no way. 5"10 and 6"4 span are different

[@bikestunters98]

Counter Kidnapping you’re saying he is short and not a good jabber what he lacks in height he compensates in his long reach and yes he is one of the best jabbers and one of the goats in MMA history