How to Beat a Reach Advantage: Volkanovski Breakdown
Technical breakdowns on shorter fighters winning the long range exchanges (Part 1)
BEATING A RANGE ADVANTAGE
Range and reach are not exactly the same thing. Height + reach + movement specifics combine to create a total range factor.
On top of this it’s often considered given that a “reach advantage” is a passive bonus to your striking ability but in reality this is not how striking works. There is a point of “peak range” for various strikes and this will vary depending on the unique structure of a fighter as well as the noisy variables at play during every exchange.
The effectiveness of a strike is just as easily smothered by being too close as it is being too far and thus effectively controlling distance is a balance of keeping your peak range for your preferred strikes in place when exchanges occur.
Lateral + vertical positioning play just as much a role as maximum horizontal wingspan & this makes the relevant factors that occur during stand up exchanges much more chaotic than many would claim watching professionals balance intricate details while they make shallow & low perception conclusions from the sidelines.
Winning the long range “outfight” is about maintaining dominance with tip of your spear & a long spear is just as much a hindrance once you step too close inside its peak threat range.
> longer surface of targets
> disadvantaged angles of defense between head & body
> visual blind spots
> slower cycling of combination strikes due to limb length
> power loss up close
> risks from being forced to punch downward
> massive speed + energy management costs of any level changes
> (I could list more)
…ALL play huge disadvantages for taller/longer opponents yet these are the traits most amateurs never seek to exploit in these matchups.
Low analysis coaches chalk it all up to “reach” because most standard tactics everyone has been taught is meant to maximize effect of longer builds - not exploit a longer build.
Many think the answer is to abandon technical fighting at long range & rush them - this is high risk.
Instead don’t hopelessly abandon the “outfight” (long distance exchanges) & instead engineer the collisions to occur in your peak range.
You’re not helpless. Solve the puzzle.
If you enjoy breakdowns like this please like and share it and let me know - very happy to make much more with high frequency as they are shorter in length.