The BEST Video You'll Watch on How to Fight Taller Opponents
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Standard Long Range·Jeff Chan MMAShredded ·Added by Admin
0:00 - Start 0:20 - Tactic 1: Catch kicks to get inside 1:42 - Tactic 2: Use head movement to get inside 3:37 - Tactic 3…
Standard Long Range
Genusスタンダード遠距離(Sutandādo Enkyori)
HybridTranslation: standard long range
Overview
The Standard Long Range position places fighters at a distance where kicks and fully extended punches are the only techniques that can reach. [1] At standard long range, the primary tools are front kicks, roundhouse kicks, side kicks, and the jab delivered with full extension and forward step. [1],[2] Fighters at long range focus on footwork and angle changes to create entries to mid range or to maintain distance if they prefer to fight at range. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Standard long range is the baseline kicking and long punching distance. [1]
Lineage
Defined in striking arts range theory. [1]
Competition Record
A fundamental distance in combat sports. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Perpendicular chest-to-chest control — pinning the opponent's upper body while maintaining mobility
Joints Involved — Attacker's chest (primary contact), hips (sprawled or driving), opponent's near shoulder and hip (controlled)
Force Vector — Downward and lateral — chest pressure pins the opponent while hip positioning prevents escape
Positional Mechanic — Crossface and underhook combination controls the opponent's head and near arm, preventing bridging or turning
Position & Entry
From neutral position — Assume the fighting stance by placing feet at shoulder width, bending knees slightly, and establishing guard position
Before engagement — Establish the proper stance as the starting position before initiating or receiving attacks
Variants
Standard variation — primary positioning for control and attack
Offensive variation — configured for submission or striking opportunities
Transitional variation — positioned for quick movement to the next position
Defensive variation — prioritising stability and control over attack
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Standing positions are pre-engagement stances; minimal direct risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — stance and footwork are fundamental {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— UWW — Legal
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFTraining Notes
✓Standard long range positioning: the fighters are at full arm's extension plus one step — only the jab, front kick, and longest kicks can reach from this distance (Haislet, Boxing, 1940)
✓Step 1: maintain a distance where a full step is needed to land a power punch — this gives maximum reaction time
✓Step 2: use the jab to probe and measure distance — the jab is both a weapon and a ranging tool
✓Step 3: use footwork to circle, angle, and maintain the gap — never stand still at long range
✓Step 4: use the teep or front kick to push the opponent back when they attempt to close
✓Step 5: from long range, offensive options are: jab, front kick, long cross, and entry feints to set up closer attacks
✓The ideal long-range stance is slightly more sideways than close range — presenting a smaller target
✓Drill: partner work at long range — jab and move for 3 minutes, focusing on maintaining distance
Common Mistakes
!Standing at long range without working — long range requires constant probing with jabs and feints
!Maintaining distance by only moving backward — circle and angle to maintain range while repositioning
!Throwing power punches from long range — the cross and hooks fall short; use the jab and front kick
!Not adjusting the stance for long range — a slightly more bladed stance presents a smaller target
!Staying at long range when the opponent is a better long-range fighter — close the distance instead
!Not using feints to gather information — feints at long range reveal the opponent's reactions
!Fighting at long range against the cage — the cage limits backward movement; circle off before reaching it
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Position — transition into this position through passing, sweeping, or scrambling
2Stabilize — establish controlling grips and weight distribution
3Maintain — adjust to the opponent's escape attempts to hold position
4Attack — launch offensive techniques from the stabilized position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Renzo Gracie & Royler Gracie, 2001)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
balance, lower body stability, quick directional change
Favours
well-proportioned build with strong base
Key muscles
calves, quadriceps, core, hip stabilisers
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I fight a taller opponent at middle range?
At middle range, your taller opponent can reach you with their longer limbs while you cannot reach them effectively. Jeff Chan MMAShredded emphasizes you want to be either all the way on the outside or all the way on the inside—never in the middle.
How should I counter kicks from a taller opponent?
Jeff Chan MMAShredded recommends catching or brushing kicks to close the distance, then throw the leg off to the side and move into body-to-head combinations. For straight kicks, scoop underneath the heel with your lead arm into a punch-kick combination while using head movement to close the distance.
Why target the body first against a taller opponent?
Jeff Chan MMAShredded explains that hitting the body first causes your taller opponent to shell up and lower their head, which opens them up for head strikes. This creates opportunities for combinations like body shots followed by hooks or overhands.
Should I stay in the pocket after getting inside against a taller opponent in MMA?
No—while staying in the pocket works in boxing, in MMA or Muay Thai your taller opponent can clinch you and throw knees, so you should exit after striking rather than continuing to work short range.
How does the Standard Long Range work?
The Standard Long Range position places fighters at a distance where kicks and fully extended punches are the only techniques that can reach. At standard long range, the primary tools are front kicks, roundhouse kicks, side kicks, and the jab delivered with full extension and forward step.
Where does the Standard Long Range come from?
Standard long range is a fundamental fighting distance studied across all striking martial arts, representing the outermost zone where offensive engagement is possible. It is the preferred fighting distance for counter-strikers and fighters with reach advantages.
Is the Standard Long Range legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — stance and footwork are fundamental; WKF: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Long Range?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — standing positions are pre-engagement stances; minimal direct risk
How do I set up the Standard Long Range?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Position → Stabilize → Maintain → Attack.
How do I defend against the Standard Long Range?
Standard counters include: Posture Control — maintain strong posture to limit the opponent's offensive options / Escape to Neutral — work back to standing or a neutral position.
What are the variants of the Standard Long Range?
Common variants: Standard variation (primary positioning for control and attack); Offensive variation (configured for submission or striking opportunities); Transitional variation (positioned for quick movement to the next position); Defensive variation (prioritising stability and control over attack).
How effective is the Standard Long Range in competition?
A fundamental distance in combat sports.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Long Range?
Top errors to watch for: Standing at long range without working — long range requires constant probing with jabs and feints / Maintaining distance by only moving backward — circle and angle to maintain range while repositioning / Throwing power punches from long range — the cross and hooks fall short; use the jab and front kick / Not adjusting the stance for long range — a slightly more bladed stance presents a smaller target.
What are other names for the Standard Long Range?
The Standard Long Range is also known as Sutandādo Enkyori, Basic Out-Fighting Distance, Standard Kicking Range.