Codex Wallerstein footwork

[John_Clements]

Yeah, Shane, Right. Well said.
Regarding traversing, it's funny, while there are valid times to avoid and counter strike by traversing forward and away from attacks, several leading practitioners teach moving in the other direction opposite from most oncoming cuts (especially diagonal ones), rather than closing the distance by moving traversely toward and into the strike, as we often instruct. By closing against an action you not only meet it before it has sufficient force (using your strong against its weak), but you are instantly on the sword stopping their strike and instantly able to wind or thrust or cut back. Whereas, if you move away, you’re actually moving in the same direction the cut is traveling and end up meeting it when it will reach maximum velocity and force (giving the opponent the chance to change the direction of the cut), while your own potential counter strike must now make an even larger arc to strike back in return (particularly if the opponent traversed opposite when they attacked). This kind of long fighting ends up looking like the fighters are moving around in a circle trading blows instead instantly exploding at the attacker and immediately striking lethally to end the fight in the middle of his attack or before he can respond.
Make sense?

JC

[TimSheetz]

John,

Makes total sense. If you are going to close on their blade, then you have to do it now, not leave it to 'later' in their swing when they can change their line. If you you 'wait' to doit, then you are staying in their primary target area.

By closing and shortening their swing you are forcing the fight into the range of YOUR CHOOSING. Much better for you since they have committed their energy to a full swing.

[Craig Peters]

I have often found that simply trying to step back out of the way of a blow and then make my own counter attack is much more difficult to do than simply stepping into the attack. One's opponent can quickly follow up with a second strike, effectively forcing you back further. The window of opportunity between the two strikes is very narrow, and as you said, there is that much more difference to cover once you step backwards. Much better to step into the attack.