Front foot step in, back foot slide forward footwork

[Kung Fu Wang]

In this video, he throws 3 punches. When he throws the 1st and the 3rd punch, his front foot step in, his back foot slide forward.

Does your MA system train this kind of footwork? What's your opinion on this footwork?

 

[Buka]

We call that a "step and slide". It's the first footwork we teach all beginners. First step I learned in boxing, too.

 

[O'Malley]

It's called tsugi ashi ("thrust step", I think) in several Japanese MA. I've also been taught it in savate, kajukenbo and muay thai. I think it's good because it avoids crossing your legs, which makes your structure more vulnerable. It also helps transfer your bodyweight in the direction of movement, which generates power.

 

[JowGaWolf]

This is in Jow Ga forms. Basic punch combination.

 

[Holmejr]

Slide step, step slide. Forward and back. Left and right, right and left. Hours of these drills. A universal technique for sure.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

We call that a "step and slide". It's the first footwork we teach all beginners. First step I learned in boxing, too.

Same here.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Do you punch when your front foot land, or when you back foot end sliding?

 

[JowGaWolf]

Do you punch when your front foot land, or when you back foot end sliding?

Both. it depends on how much I need to advance. Front foot always. Back foot sometimes. stepping into a thrust punch has the punch start when the backfoot moves.

 

[Buka]

Do you punch when your front foot land, or when you back foot end sliding?

It depends on the distance, what the other guy is doing and what you're trying to do.

 

[JowGaWolf]

It depends on the distance, what the other guy is doing and what you're trying to do.

Footwork is not and independent functions. Footwork is like water. It flows and takes shape of the opponent and at times can be used to crash into an opponent. it should never look disconnected or lost. When is how it looks when it's independent and moving without context.

 

[geezer]

In this video, he throws 3 punches. When he throws the 1st and the 3rd punch, his front foot step in, his back foot slide forward.

Does your MA system train this kind of footwork? What's your opinion on this footwork?

In my Wing Chun we work this. Some WC seems to separate punching from stepping. That's OK, but synchronizing punch with a step or turn gives much more power.

The less talented you are, the more attention you have to pay to stuff like this ...so, needless to say, I pay a lot of attention to it!

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Some WC seems to separate punching from stepping.

What's the reason do you think?

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Shuffle step. Also seen in Isshinryu and more like the video you posted in our kobudo (weapons), particularly our Sai kata. Chatanyara no sai comes to mine. Punch, shuffle, punch punch.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Shuffle step. Also seen in Isshinryu and more like the video you posted in our kobudo (weapons), particularly our Sai kata. Chatanyara no sai comes to mine. Punch, shuffle, punch punch.

What % of weight distribution do you use in your MA system when you use this footwork?

The video in post 1 uses 40% weight on front leg and 60% weight on back leg (4-6 stance). IMO, it a very conservative weight distribution.

This video uses 30%-70% weight distribution (3-7 stance).

This video use 75%-25% weight distribution (monkey stance).

This video ends with both feet together (side cat stance).

 

[drop bear]

Step jab step cross.

So open stance jab close stance cross.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Step jab step cross.

So open stance jab close stance cross.

What's your favor weight distribution?

 

[drop bear]

What's your favor weight distribution?

50 ish 50 ish

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

50 ish 50 ish

Not too aggressive and not too conservative.

This weight distribution is more aggressive.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

What % of weight distribution do you use in your MA system when you use this footwork?

We keep our center. We don't calculate percentage.

 

[geezer]

What's the reason do you think?

Supposedly, separating punching from stepping and breathing allows fast, free timing of punches unrestricted by the timing of your steps and breath.

This is true, but it comes at a price.

The result is often weak, ineffectual punching that won't stop a tough, determined attacker. As soon as your attacker or opponent realizes that your punches can't really hurt him, you have a real problem.

The two solutions to this problem are:

A. Develop an incredibly powerful WC short-punch using arm-power only, with perfect kinetic linkage, timing, relaxation and qi.

B. Develop a good, heavy short-punch coordinating good kinetic linkage, stepping and bodyweight transfer.

Years ago, as an impressionable and gullible young student, I opted for A., the "incredible" result. Now age and experience has taught me what the word "incredible" actually means ...literally beyond belief. So I now favor option B. and try to develop good power!