Footwork and balance.

[Karen Rose]

Yet another footwork query.
I'm having more than a little difficulty trying to find that size step that will work for me (sloping/gathering/traversing...doesn't matter) in most situations. Frankly, I have fairly short legs and arms attached to a longer torso. I find that my steps during a strike must be shorter than most, so I may maintain good posture and balance. I'm having a heck of a time closing the distance properly. Every striking step turns into a lunge for me, putting me at a distinct disadvantage in the balance and recovery area.
Any advice on the best way to get proper distance with some economy of motion?
Thanks everyone.
Karen

[Casper Bradak]

"Strike and move at the same time and place your feet against each other."
Don't overreach, but keep practicing fast and explosive footwork. Practice leaps and cocksteps. When in your stance, place tension between your feet, so if you lift your front, without even trying, your back will launch your simple step, vice versa. Traverse and volte more in defense to compensate for lack of reach forward or back.
Make sure you attack properly, using the full measure of your weapon while extending your arms, and practice the spring.
Read Master Silvers writing on true and false times.

[Ryan Ricks]

apparently true times means you move the hands first, followed by the body, then the feet. according to this, your passing foot is still in the air as your sword hits the target, putting much more of your bodyweight into the impact. it's pretty cool cause it kind of launches you at your practice buddy.

some of the more senior members here had to set me straight <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> i think that was shane smith.

ryan

[leam hall]

I've not yet learned the terminology, so feel free to correct me. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

In addition to those notes above, there are some other ideas to consider. First, there is no "right step" for every situation. The distance will vary depending on you, your weapon, your opponents weapon, body, and mentality.

I tend to take smaller steps into the opponents area to mentally "crowd" them and to set up my range. In your case you may need to get a good feel for that. But it also means your opponent is in motion; feel free to let them help you close the distance. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you crowd them, they will likely either readjust (giving you the opportunity to hit them mid-stride) or attack (allowing you to use their motion to close your distance).

You can also get into a distance and watch if they "prepare". Some people will do less body movement just prior to an attack; when they get "ready", move away or at an angle and force them to compensate. Their motion will give you an opportunity to close while they are in transition.

Another thing is to let them have the first attack and then press home *and stay there*. Move in close and keep on them until someone goes down.

Can you tell what my fighting style is? <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[philippewillaume]

Hello karen.
From what you say I do not believe that your footwork is the cause of your trouble.
I do not think that footwork exist on its own per se. It is part of a global tactical application.

Whatever your philosophy is and if you either follow a multy master or single manual approach. You can see that there is a distinct possibility that good foot work for Ringeck may be different that the one of silver Vadi or Fiore.

Of course what each of the master says is true and the concepts can be generally applied however each master has particular applications.

If we are using a longsword and fencing according to ringeck for an example especially the "that masterhaw breaks that position/guard".
It is quite clear that footwork will never break the distance on it's own.
That is what masterhaw are for, so is it the footwork that allows the masterhaw or the master haw that allows the footwork?
You could get around it by saying that a proper footwork is the one that enable you body to deliver the strike and not the one that breaks the distance. However in my opinion it is rephrasing the question.
What I am trying to get at is that i do not think footwork can be dissociated with what you are doing.

So if you have to take short steps to strike and remain in balance , that is the way it has to be. You cannot change your body, in that respect anyway, the one you have will have to do.
(If it can be any heart lifting, Dobringer said that it is better to do two small steps than one).

In my opinion, you just need to get closer before you strike or you need to make your opponent to cover the distance for you. ( I know it sounds lame but well)

How to do it will depend of what master you follow (or what manual you want to apply if you are so inclined)
For example and not exaustively, using Sigmund
You can either step in (to shorten the distance) using sprechfenster or the lang ort or simply moving forward, if he strikes before you can either use absetzen or masterhaw to set him aside and kill him the process.(or at least gain the Vor)
Do not put yourself down, breaking the distance is very difficult to execute especially with weapons that can cut and trust,
Basically everyone has been, is or is going to go through that.
This is what pushed me to devote all my energies to a single manual. I was not able to figure it out on my own so I asked uncle Sigmund.;

I hope that helped a bit

philippe "Ringeck is the daddy" willaume
PS
i do not have a problem with mixing and matching manuals, it is not the approach I have chosen but it is fine by me as a method of research. However that is why I can not really use anything else than Ringeck as example.

[Karen Rose]

Thanks everyone for some excellent responses. I didn't realize that taking two small steps was as 'economical' as one larger one. I had the sense that I'd get caught in the middle of small steps. I do feel better that Dobringer said two small steps is better than one big one.
I also like the idea of letting my opponent close the distance for me. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />
I've changed my workout and I'm making a concentrated effort at small, explosive steps.....well, little firecrackers right now, but I have big plans <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks again for the ideas and resources.
Karen

[Arthur D Colver]

try some floryshes... watch one of the JC clips from the ARMA site and then go try the same type of thing with your waster where essentially every step is a striking step of some sort. get used to swinging and moving and swinging and moving, stringing cut after cut with motion in all directions. When you feel fairly comfortable with it, have someone watch you and critique you.
<<edited to add this link>>
here is a good JC floryshe sample
http://www.thehaca.com/Videos/mov37.mpg