external martial artists (e.g. students of gong fu and karate) have long recognized that a disproportionately greater effect is achieved when the human torso is struck downwards at an angle of about 45 degrees from the front and upwards at a similar angle from the rear, compared with orthogonal strikes with the same energy content. Since the majority of fighting scenarios take place within the context of a face-to-face confrontation, the ability of a taller man to strike downwards at the front of his opponent will necessarily enhance the effect of his blows on his opponent's torso in comparison with a man of the same height whose blows will land approximately orthogonally.