Thanks guys! I have a stripe test coming up this Thursday, and it will be primarily sparring, so I'll try to apply some of the tips everyone has given me! And if anyone has any other tips, they would also be appreciated .

I'm 5'3, and have primarily sparred larger opponents, on the insistence of my sifu (also a newbie to sparring, probably only 15-25 times). You've GOTTA close the distance, otherwise he'll keep firing punches and kicks until he connects.

After the big guy takes a swing, you could try pulling him in (lap sao). It works for me on occasions, I wouldn't do it for your test though, just stick to what you know.

If you win, come back and give some advice to the rest of us pee-wees! Good luck buddy

You say that leg kicks aren't used as much. Well if you look at it from a purely scientific point of view, Their leg is the most extended part of their body and therefore the closest to you and in many instances the easiest to hit. Learn to use a low side kick to the knee or shin as it is your longest weapon and it can keep any large opponent at bay untill you're ready to close the gap. It will prevent you from taking a lot of punishment in a kicking range. In my experience, someone who doesn't have this move is generally quite easy to keep at distance, and in some cases, it can actually be fun or humerous to watch them try to find a way around this attack. Scientifically speaking, it works. Practically speaking, it also works. You can actually beat a person in the street with just this move.