1 large step vs. 2 small steps

[YouKnowWho]

When you move

- "1 large step" and change from right side forward to left side forward, your center will be exposed to your opponent during the process. You are fully committed and change side. This is the normal walking pattern.

- "2 small steps" by stepping your back foot to touch your leading foot, and then step your leading foot again, you will not expose your center to your opponent. You are 1/2 committed, much safer, and not change side. This is not the normal walking pattern.

Both footwork will cover exactly the same distance.

Do you train all your techniques in both footwork, or some techniques in one and others in other? Do you walk on the street with "1 large step", "2 small steps", or mix of both?

[-N-]

When you move

- "1 large step" and change from right side forward to left side forward, your center will be exposed to your opponent during the process. You are fully committed and change side. This is the normal walking pattern.

- "2 small steps" by stepping your back foot to touch your leading foot, and then step your leading foot again, you will not expose your center to your opponent. You are 1/2 committed, much safer, and not change side. This is not the normal walking pattern.

Both footwork will cover exactly the same distance.

Do you train all your techniques in both footwork, or some techniques in one and others in other? Do you walk on the street with "1 large step", "2 small steps", or mix of both?

Interesting question.

Some differences:

1 large step works good with techniques that rely on timing and commitmnt to go for the kill.

2 small steps work good when you want to emphasize setup and combinations.

A common approach in Mantis is to use small fast steps to setup with a combo, then go for the power/kill shot or takedown with the large step.

Or if you are good, or the timing is there, you just go for the big kill move right from the start.

In forms, you will see different ways to combine small and long steps. This is offensively as well as defensively. The footwork combinations are designed based on the dynamics of the fight. It can be easy to overlook if you don't pay attention.

One example you see in 2 person weapons is a long step retreat, followed by two smaller steps. The big step is to escape the attack. The smaller steps are preparation to turn the fight around on the opponent by interrupting his timing. Then you go big step advance.

[-N-]

This is also interesting to look at from point of view of jab-jab-cross vs. jab-jab-cross-takedown.

[Yum Cha]

Yes John, as N explained, the same is true of Pak Mei, with one subtle difference. with the 2 short steps, we move the front first, almost like a fencing lunge, then bring the rear foot up, loading for the next lunge at the end of the first.

Another interesting bit of footwork is to drop back to Dui Tai (cat stance), then launch off the forward foot into a 'single large step, changing sides. Its an interesting rhythm change, and it messes with perception of movement. To a lot of kickboxers it shows a front kick. Also allows for a dash to the side.

footwork is so important, and so many people neglect it, or just don't get it.

[bawang]

type of stepping can reveal the amount of floweriness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-sQ7T5a9pI

look at the footwork

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJ8unUIlgM

look at the footwork

[bawang]

More a situation of young man's art and older man's art. Bridge, core, timing, centering, and understanding increase with age in practice. Young men must move. That is their nature. Old men can hardly move an inch. That is older man's nature.

lolnoe sdfsdf

[YouKnowWho]

with the 2 short steps, we move the front first, almost like a fencing lunge, then bring the rear foot up, ...

I'll treat this as the 3rd kind of footwork. Since you move leading foot first and back foot follow, you can only move 1/2 the distance compare to the other 2 footwork. It can be used in close distance so you don't need to advance too much.

The following footwork is a combination of 2 small steps and 1 large step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf_5flVU6iE

[bawang]

I'll treat this as the 3rd kind of footwork. Since you move leading foot first and back foot follow, you can only move 1/2 the distance compare to the other 2 footwork. It can be used in close distance so you don't need to advance too much.

The following footwork is a combination of 2 small steps and 1 large step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf_5flVU6iE

there are over 20 + kinds of footwork in northern kungfu . they are not in forms