I (21f) am 5’5" and skinny. I recently attended a self-defense class, and there I was tought how to use a pocket knife. And as I have some male friends 6’5"+ tall, I thought that that height actually makes your belly particularly vulnerable in case of a fight (in comparisson with short people):

  1. a short person’s shoulder height is around the same level as your belly making it easier to stab/hit;
  2. your belly is proportionally a larger target.

And in general, if a 6’5"+ guy stands in front of me with his stomach released (even if he has just a bit of a belly) it feels like having an exposed, large and squishy punching/stabbing bag right in front of me, into which, if needed, I can easily harshly and deeply plunge anything straight away.

I also practice historical fencing (rapier) and most of the times I stab tall opponents into the belly - my favorite thrusts are ducking counterattacks when I duck while they attack, go low and impale a tall guy’s unprotected belly right onto my rapier.

What do you think about it?

  • galaxy_nova@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Who’s to say they can’t dodge you as well? If they’ve got a reach advantage already tall doesn’t necessarily equal slow. If you’ve got a sword and I’ve got a spear as long as I keep my distance you can dodge a lot but you’ll be hard pressed to hit me unless you get inside my range.

    • anneSong@lemmy.worldOP
      12·
      2 days ago

      Yep, but if we both have rapiers its pretty realistic for me to get inside your range and stab you in the belly :D

        • anneSong@lemmy.worldOP
          12·
          1 day ago

          Yep, but its easier for me to dodge your attacks. You’d find it really challenging protecting your belly area from my rapier actually. You’d likely hold your weapon on your chest/shoulder level, while your gut would be left pretty unprotected. And if I manage to dodge, get under your blade - you’re done, with your belly impaled right onto my rapier :D

          • galaxy_nova@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            1 day ago

            If we’re talking fencing maybe? Sure? I wouldn’t know I’ve not trained fencing. You’d know better than I. If we’re talking actual combat where I’ve trained a tiny bit with the sword and staff, I mean there’s just ways around that. Where I hold my sword or staff or whatever has little bearing on my defensive range. You’re just assuming you’re much faster than me because I’m guessing that’s what fencing is more about. But that’s with something extremely light and flexible. If where you held your weapon was all that was too it people would have been much less inclined to use say a giant battle axe. Also an actual fight ends quickly id never risk being inside your weapon range unless I knew I had a good shot. There’s no constraint on me attacking first or having to attack you a specific way.