The problem I was getting at was that in attempting to cover the arm on the way in, he fully extended his arm and was quite committed to following that arm back.
If suddenly a second punch comes, his response is to switch up everything entirely mid-action, including the direction he's moving.
Once body mass is already committed in one direction, with outstretched arms, it will be difficult to change footwork and everything to another direction in time.
Easy when done slowly and relaxed.
Not
back away, but
to the side away, which does give up distance.
If his lead foot is at the center point of the circle, and rear foot along the perimeter, as he steps his lead foot to the side, and slides his rear foot backward, the whole circle, his body mass, is actually being moved away from the opponent.
He's not pivoting and using rotational force, but stepping away with both feet, taking his body mass in the opposite direction of the straight punch. Meaning it's all arm.
Here's the 1-2.
Doesn't look awkward or difficult to attack from at all. It's a power stance with hips directed straight at him. It's more awkward for Phil to do anything from the position he put himself in, moving backward all duck footed waiting to be taken over.
If either of them are to kick, the attacker is the one with the better angle, stance, momentum, and obvious target to kick.
If the ideal is to get further around the opponent, well, it didn't even work too well in a slow demo.
What's to stop the opponent from taking advantage of it? He has not been affected in any way.
If he kept both hands up, they'd still at best be at equal advantage, or he'd be at
more advantage.
He's either able to, or he isn't. And he is, so it's not really a matter of opinion.
But as we see, nothing has been done to set the opponent up. His facing, balance, arms, or anything has not been affected. He's able to continue just the same.
Which is obviously the main problem I have with it.