Sloping Footwork

[Michael Olsen]

I've seen the concept of "Sloping Steps" and "Sloping Footwork" espoused on a variety of other forums when discussing any number of topics. However, I can't ever seem to find a firm definition or understanding of what the motion actually is.

Principally, I understand it to be a mandate of slightly stepping off-line with each attack, turning the body to face the opponent from another plane, much like a very minor traverse or triangle step.

What is the ARMA view on this? I really haven't seen it mentioned too much and, in practice, I prefer a full-sized traversing step to get me further out of the way and more to the flank of an opponent. This preference, however, may simply be the result of a misunderstanding of the technique.

Thanks,
Michael

[Jake_Norwood]

Those terms aren't really common ARMA parlance. From the (modern) sources I've seen using those terms it usually refers to what we would just call a traverse, or a forward diagonal traverse.

Basically just the first half of a triangle step, which is a (usually) a traverse and pivot to the inside.

Jake

[Shane Smith]

Those terms aren't really common ARMA parlance. From the (modern) sources I've seen using those terms it usually refers to what we would just call a traverse, or a forward diagonal traverse.

Basically just the first half of a triangle step, which is a (usually) a traverse and pivot to the inside.

Jake

That is my understanding as well.

[Michael Olsen]

Excellent. Thank you for your replies.

[LafayetteCCurtis]

But a translation of di Grassi (not a very good one, I admit) mentioned a "slope pace," which in another translation is called an "oblique step." In mechanical terms, though, it's just another name for the traversing step.

[Jay Vail]

Those terms aren't really common ARMA parlance. From the (modern) sources I've seen using those terms it usually refers to what we would just call a traverse, or a forward diagonal traverse.

Basically just the first half of a triangle step, which is a (usually) a traverse and pivot to the inside.

Jake

Yes, indeed. And a fine step it is.