Does height matter in taekwondo? Will taller people be able to strike more easily due to their long legs?

Answer 1

If you're talking abt tournaments, longer legs are definitely a big advantage. WTF Tkd focus on the advantage of the range the leg can give over the shorter range the hands can give in tournaments.

Taller ppl often needs less effort to execute high kicks to head, giving them better chances for k.o. Longer range also enable the user to keep an opponent with shorter legs at bay or wear down an opponent who would try to use footworks to get into their range.

But i have seen shorter ppl taking down taller ppl with fantastic footworks and counter attacks.

I believe that taller ppl have a slight disadvantage when the shorter opponent breaks the fight into a much shorter distance. The taller one will have to make more effort to make rooms for effective kicks. Ppl with longer legs also tend to take a slightly longer time to recover from a kick.

But on the whole, taller ppl should have more advantages.

Answer 2

In a reliative sense: It might come as an advantage if they know how to use their legs, but the same thing would apply with a shorter person with shorter legs. With enough skill, you can overcome disadvantages
It depends on who is fighting, their attributes, and their skill. I've seen plenty of people that are short that can keep taller opponents at bay, just as I've seen the opposite.
I myself am 5'11", with long (And flexible [Just a few more inches for the front split! ^_^]) legs. There's some opponents that I can keep away, surprise, counter, et cetera, and some I cannot do that with.
It's all about adapting to the situation. There's going to be times where you have to change your strategy based on who you are up against. It isn't as simple as height advantages, or weight, et cetera...
People also see my long and thin limbs, and think that not only can I not throw a punch: but I can't block. Suprisingly enough, I can make kicking troubling for some in close quarters. I'm at the point where I should be dodging, but I tend to block, and then retaliate as part of my overall strategy. The style I am is 50/50, so I try my best to work like that.

If you are short: It might take you more time to use your legs well (If you are average), but you have to find that out for yourself. Limbs are limbs. Long legs without skill are nothing. Short legs with skill are something. ;)

The person above me is right as well. My build naturally gives me long and thin legs, that are easier to move (Easier for flexibility), but I do have a very hard time putting on muscle too. You see how each body type has perks and flaws? You have to learn to adapt.

Answer 3

yes taller people can have the reach advantage, especially in their legs but only if they are good at utilizing them, but speed can be an equalizer in this instance, so a shorter person must be able to utilize speed along with combinations to keep the taller opponent off guard, increasing ones skills allows the practitoner to work around such shortcomings.

Answer 4

no hieght does not matter i do taekwondo and i have many smaller people in the class. maybe at some point theywill be able to but its not all about fighting its about self-defense

Answer 5

Taekwondo Height

Answer 6

I'm 6 '1 and all torso. I have very short legs for WTF TKD. It's an incredible disadvantage in a tournament if you want to win. I have learnt that If I can get in extremely close, I can always dominate a fight in WTF but it doesn't win by point, so it's not good for those types of tourney's. That's why I'm in MMA right now, learning how to utilize my natural skills with those I learnt in WTF.

Answer 7

yes but they have more area to cover so they can't defend themselves as well and its harder for them to gain muscle because of this same reason

Answer 8

no it makes it harder I spar frequently and wish i was smaller so I can move quicker. reach only helps a little bit.