How do long limbs affect practicing forms?

Question

How does the tall and lanky body type affect the practice of Kung Fu forms and if negative, how can one correct it?

Answer 1

well I'm about 6'1 / 6'2 and 170 pounds. At first I thought it would be better if I was Bruce Lees size you know 5'7 130 pounds but, as time went on I felt the Art becoming more smooth and I could do my moves more clean then before. You make the Art your own, you understand, you learn the moves and you use your size big or small to your advantage. Bruce Lee's student Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as what 7feet tall and Bruce put him in Game Of Death at the end soo, Big or small my friend

Answer 2

I don't think it would have any negative effect at all. Depending on the type of kung fu you're speaking of, of course. Look into the history of the art and find out who the "originator's" were. You might be surprised to learn that not all asian's are short. Northern shaolin people were quite tall, six feet or so, and their forms are better suited to tall and lanky. Compared to Okinawan karate, where the people were smaller, stockier.. it is better suited for the shorter guys. Do a little research and I bet you can answer that question yourself.

Answer 3

While I am not an expert in Chinese martial arts some of the same problems carry over into Japanese martial arts with respect to kata or forms. The example I use in my studio is two 100 meter dashers running the same speed will have a different appearance. A shorter one will have his legs going fast and carrying over like a motor running at high speed while the taller one will have his gait look like that of a horses-even though they are both going the same speed.
Some kata/forms favor shorter stature people and so for a taller person to match them they must work harder to retract those longer limbs faster and with more precession after extending them. Weight training can help overcome some of this with a little time as well as practice of your forms themselves.

Answer 4

I personally think long limbs would help in the practice of Northern Kung Fu styles, and may be a hinderance to the practice of Southern styles. The long limbs, will help the long attacks of the north to be more effective, while not an inconquerable hinderance to short, low, snap moves of Southern styles, they would definitely not take advantage of your body type.

Answer 5

Most persons are proportionaly equal according to their hight.
If you are haveing too much trouble, slow down, find your trouble spots and learn where your body is. If you are are in your teens you will most likey take a little longer because your hormones will indirectly throw off where your limbs are as you are going through your last stages of growing

Also as a note, make sure your core is in the correct possition for you technique, if that is off everything else will be too

Answer 6

it actually does affect the flow of movements especially someone trying wushu movements like snake stance drop stance all low stance people of 6 feet sometimes have a problem with that but with regular practice of low stance one would improve but I suppose dont expect to look as fliud as someone of 5 7 inches pulling off wushu moves .
wing chun akido judo suit the tall person not five animal forms or any explosive forms of that nature a smaller fram is more suitable to use this techniques effectivly in combat.

Answer 7

well......all changes will offer its share of advantages and disadvantages. Your long limbs will give you a longer reach, but that same long reach can give a bigger grab target.

Also, It may be harder for your close range defenses. You'll be able to keep your guard up very well until you have to maneuver your long limbs around themselves.

Don't worry though,.