FOOTWORK DRILLS
The following are a number of different drills
to develop your footwork, which is essential for any competitive
fighter.
1) Fast step
/ slide backwards
(Lead foot to rear
& slide backwards, pushing off lead)
1a) Defensive
side kick
(Off lead leg,
sliding backwards. Pushing off attackers body. Perform from diagonal
stance, to open up hips. Important pointer; Timing is the key to
success with this technique)
2) Fast step
/ slide forwards
(Rear foot up to
lead & pushing off rear foot, slide forwards)
2a) 'Blitzing'
(Use 'reverse'
techniques; Stepping forwards from guard & flow through techniques,
finish with clinch / guard)
Example: backfist
– ridgehand – (driving) reverse punch to body
(Obviously these
can be varied or replaced)
3) Skip
change
(Use hips to
torque)
3a) Skip
change & back kick
(From open
fighting position)
3b) Skip
change & rear turning kick
(From closed
fighting position. Performed for power kicking. Skip change & drive in
what is now your rear leg)
3c) Skip
change & side kick
(From closed
fighting position. Perform fast. Skip change & don’t place foot as you
perform the technique
ie: you are
kicking with the rear leg, but are switching the lead leg back 1st
to bring it into play
4) Side step
(Perform both to
left & right. Similar stepping movements as #1 & #2)
4a) Side step
& side kick
(From closed
fighting position side step & drive in with trailing leg side kick /
jump SK)
5) “Stalking”
step
(ie: X-stance;
both versions. Ie: stepping leg in front or behind)
5a)
“Stalking” step & kick
a] Step & lead
hook kick (reach in with hips. Step with foot stepping behind to open
up hips)
b] Step & lead
side kick to head (reach in with hips. Step with foot stepping behind
to open up hips)
c] Step & lead
double turning kick to head (Step with foot travelling in front of
supporting leg)
6) Switch &
step
(Perform fast. Slip lead foot back,
behind the rear leg & step the rear leg forwards. Then step the
original lead leg forwards. Thus giving the illusion that you are
pulling back, but actually are moving forwards by a large distance)
6a) Switch
step & axe kick
(Perform step as above but instead
of stepping the leg forwards perform an axe kick, skipping forwards)
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