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One tip is to take a massive side step on the way in, I'm not so hot on the grappling thing but thats what I do when I'm trying to close on someone with longer reach who's pounding my head. Come in with a punch to keep them occupied, as the punch is still flying side step suddenly, usually (untill they get used to it) their counter punch goes over your shoulder, thats when I usually chuck a reverse punch in then back out with a kick, but I could see a "hug" ( wink only messin) working equally well. Unfortunately thats one of those things you have to deal with when sparring lanky bastards, I remember sparring this guy that was 6'10"... damn that was hard, he could pound on me without seeming to move much at all

Interesting...

Yeah - I've always used the 'Buldozer' heh - if you're successful they might only land one good strike - Hands up, drop your shoulder and once you're inside you better watch out for knees and elbows so get them to the floor ASAHP (H stands for humanly.. heh) But like Del said, all depends on your fighting style. *shrugs*

Side kicks against a charge will take u completley off balance, and leave a huge opening for a double leg takedown. i dont suggest his strategy, but u can try it. Im jus sure that i would catch that sidekick an take u down.

Your approach to this is, as already stated, is vastly dependant on your style of sparring. Personally its very rare for me to be the "smaller" guy and even in situations I've found that a few inches difference of height or a few pounds doesn't really make too much of a difference, though I'm considerly taller then you at 197cms lol.

The problem with getting on the inside is that, like most close quarters combat outside of systems like R.O.S.S, Systema, various schools of Kali and the occasional JJJ branch you'll almost always be taught to counter react rather then take the offensive.

Basicly, if it were me I'd intercept and throw a hook punch into the elbow, quickly step in (like the simple sliding footwork Delmar mentioned) grab the injured arms wrist with my leading hand and then grab the guys throat, without a base he can't really strike me and I could effectively strangle him(or something similar, I'm quite sponetaneous with such things when it came to it) aswell as moving to re-manage any other threats that he can procure (unless he has several friends) or some such technique, though its fair to say that its completely moot in sparring.

Try a very low roundhouse kick to just beside the guys knee or shin and then slide in on the inside to give him a hook to the jaw, personally I'd attempt the kick with the foward foot soley to deliver it that much quicker and get inside alot faster, if you find that you're too close to jab then go for an elbow first, you have to manage yourself very quickly and it would probably be best to finish to sweep/throw and then either apply a submission hold or full mount and pummel.

I hope thats remotely helpful, someone around a similar build to your own attempted to do something likewise to me, though admittedly I simply quickly raised my leg and then moved my back leg to a sidekick to the guys waist, sweeping him from their feet and onto to the floor so its all relative really.

Maybe if he throws a punch you can move to the outside quickly, grab the offending wrist and strike him in the neck with your elbow and trips/sweep him down, assuming you'd be effictively behind him though I'm not to sure on its efficency considering the opposing force.

Diversely you could grab the offending wrist, tug him foward slightly if your strength would allow and place a kick to the knee before moving into the trapping range.

These are just some examples really, they probably won't really be helpful to you, if so, I'm sorry and shall try to help more later.

I know this topic is old and Jazbo probably already got what he wanted, but couldn't he just use akeido?

If the opponent(Let's call him Nick).

If Nick went to punch Jazbo with his right hand, Jazbo could sidestep to the left while bringing his right hand, palm open to "push" the fist from the straight line.

But after that, Jazbo would quickly bring his left leg forward while his left arm follows to "grab" the back of the neck of Nick. Here, Jazbo would continue in his circular way, bending his left leg to almost kneel on it while "pushing" Nick to the ground with his left hand.

I BELIEVE this is a barrel roll, but I get my names mixed up.

Anyway, all this should happen in one second or less, and Nick's momentum should do the work for you.
The only problem is Jazbo moving his arms and body correctly and fast enough.

But like everyone else said, it depends on what style you use, so I'm probably WAY out of my way trying to suggest akeido.