Does height matter in Taekwondo?

One day, someone asked on a forum website:

I stopped Taekwondo over a month now because it's useless sparring since I am not that tall... I just realised that no matter how hard I try my chances of kicking the head of my opponent is out... Meaning I have to gather my points by kicking the body (1 point a kick) while he scores my head easily and scores higher point. This is frustrating. And gosh, I love this sport.

My question now is... Is there a way out? My coach suggest I close the distance when fight... That turns out over tiring since I am always looking to cover distance and if the opponent knows his pushing kick well, I will still end up being at a distance.

The answer is of course not, height does not matter in Taekwondo.

This is what a former Olympian said:

Former olympic style taekwondo fighter here, ringing in at an astounding 5'3" and at 140 pounds during my prime. I am short and stocky (legs are shorter than my upper torso). I did Taekwondo for a total of 10 years, but was very competitive 6 of those 10 years. I've earned bronze, silvers, and only 1 gold during high school. I apologize up front for the long message, but EVERY short fighter should read this because I was in your shoes.

Here's my advice:

1. Speed: I fully agree with other comments that state this. This was hands down the MAIN reason I won my matches. As a stocky dude, I was able to use my body to my leverage. I could dart quickly back and forth slight distances to miss a kick and answer with a counter. To improve this, focus on your training. Try doing a lot of fast twitch tkd exercises including: sprints, fast pad kicks (10 kicks each leg as fast as possible), fast "doubles" on the punching bag, and side step drills. Please note that this tip will directlyinfluence the next 4 tips.

2. Timing: We are short. I have short legs. It is close to impossible to make a successful first point. So, simply said focus more on countering and your reflexes. In your gym, optimize drills that require you to move back just a tad bit before springing forward and landing a hit. Also, do drills that set you up for good hits (ex: switch to open stance and do back kick when they attack with roundhouse). "But what if my opponent just likes to sit like a lazy duck and wait as well?" you ask. Well, in that case, work on what I call "checking" drills. Practice in front of a mirror on ways to "fool" your opponent to attack first by lifting up or rotating your knee quickly or by making a "twitchy" movement to get them to attack. Master this illusion.

3. Technique: You should be absolutely perfecting your counter kicks (aka spin heels, back kicks, turning roundhouse kicks, tornados, and doubles [Please message me if you need me to define any of these; these were my gym's terms]). The idea is that you need to be able to throw these kicks within a split-second AND while on the move. To measure yourself, you should be the one in your gym with the BEST form. Also note, balance AND flexibility are extremely helpful here.

3. Endurance: Perhaps, times have changed, but I remember having the most endurance out of most of my opponents. Maybe it was because I was doing 9 hours a week of "fast-twitch" training? Either way, I remember opponents being absolutely stunned when I'd go in after 5 rounds having still maintained the speed of my kicks and the speed of my movement. Always go out during your gym sparring sessions. Ask your master to do 30-60 min of "round robin" sessions.

4. Get inside: This was something my master always yelled at me, and not only should you get inside, you need to STAY inside once you're in. [Don't you admire the terminology here? ;) ]. What I mean is, again we have short legs and therefore shorter distance to attack. Once you move outside of your attack zone you have to work very hard again to get back in. And of course, your taller, longer legged opponent doesn't need to work on this at all. He/she can just lift up one leg and push you back. BUT when you are inside, this method is obliterated bc you can either (a) side step, (b) block the kick, or (c) you're so close that the point won't count. And, don't do like 90% of the fighters I see where they hit once then immediately back-off. DO NOT DO THIS SHIT. Once you have made a FULL CONTACT HIT, you go full force and land one hit after another. You're goal is to chase that mofo until he/she is outside of the ring. "What if just stay in place enough to axe kick me to the head?" Well, this means that you are not making clean power hits to their stomach, you are not punching (tip #6), or you're not side stepping. As another resort, I've knocked out 2 opponents with a jump spinning heal kick to the head when we were chest to chest. Chest to chest is absolutely the best time to do this for a short guy because your opponent is not expecting it and you're finally close enough to do that shit! Again, good technique in that snap of the heel will result in a KO; pussy technique will result in extreme vulnerability.

5. Intimidation: This one actually takes no technical skill. Basically, when you yell aka kihap, do so with intimidation ESPECIALLY when you meet each other at the ring for the first time. I used to NEVER talk to my opponents before a sparring match. I would always be the quiet, neutral guy that sat at the side and watched. But when I went in, I put on my war face and made sure I got a flinch form the opponent. If you do that AND you are a fast fighter, people watching from the side lines will be intimidated when they are up next. And again, I must emphasize technique and timing. You master these two, and their gear will be heard across the floor if you hit clean. The mind set of a good kick should not be for points; it should be to knock the wind out of your opponent. AFTER the win is when I'm really open and friendly.

6. Punching: This is my unique off the wall tip. During my time of fighting, I observed hundreds of powerful, clean kicks, but honestly no one was very good at punching (probably bc they didn't count as points). This again, should fall under technique. I'm not talking about a pussy jab, but something that either makes them flinch for a split second so that you can counter or that makes them shake their chest. This is basically another surprise intimidation factor but you can also use this when you are "chasing" down your opponent. During my time, punches were absolutely no points, but when I threw one, people were so surprised or in pain that they'd even cave in enough for me take down their head.

Bottom line: MASTER technique with all counter moves (including punching). Do a ton of fast-twitch training. Look bad ass during competitions. And, don't slack during gym practice so that you can boost your endurance. This is an overall summary, but there are some other more detailed things you can do and that I may answer if anyone has questions.