Even for striking, we don't settle for just the fist to reach the face. We don't try to knock down with just that.

We want the footwork deep enough so that it is contacting and controlling the other person while we are striking. So the positioning is critical here as well.

We want to be deep enough to continue into throw, or strike body to body.

Classic Mantis is to blitz in then finish with a power move or throw.