Become Fighter
Tall against short: Boxing guide
Use the jab and distance if you are tall. Close the gap with angles and body shots if you are short.
Reach changes the fight. The taller fighter wants distance, where the jab lands and the opponent cannot. The shorter fighter wants to be inside, where the taller fighter's arms are in the way.
Neither plan works on its own. A tall fighter who stays in front gets walked down. A short fighter who walks in straight gets jabbed. Both need movement and discipline.
Key points
- Taller fighters: control the distance with the jab, step back at an angle, and tie up when they get inside.
- Shorter fighters: get in behind a feint or jab, slip or roll under, and work the body.
- Do not fight the other person's fight. If you are tall, do not trade inside.
- Both: use the footwork to keep your preferred range. Distance is a decision, not an accident.
- Know when to change plans. If the tall fighter is stuck on the ropes, go inside and hit the body.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Tall fighters standing still at the end of the jab. Keep moving. If you stand, the short fighter walks onto you.
- Short fighters walking straight in. Come in on an angle and behind something, such as a feint or a jab.
- Both: sticking to a failing plan. Adjust after a round. If it isn't working, change the range or the target.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Style matchups module of Boxing fundamentals.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Style matchups
- Beating the pressure fighter: Boxing guide
- Beating the counterpuncher: Boxing guide
- Orthodox against southpaw: Boxing guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.