Footwork for Self-Defense

Proper basic footwork for self-defense will enable you to move quickly and efficiently while attacking and defending.  You won’t be dancing around like a professional boxer, but moving in quick while keeping your balance to get the job done, and then moving out just as fast.  Remember that the quicker you end the fight the better.

There are three basic purposes of footwork.  One is to move in on your opponent.  The next is to move away from your opponent.  And the last is to set your opponent up.  Anything else is just a variation of one of these.

There are four basic directions you can go: forward, backward, to the left, and to the right.  Then you have diagonals that are just variations or combinations of these.  To have effective footwork, basically you need to follow this formula: when moving forward, the front foot move first; when moving backward, the rear foot moves first; when moving to the left, the left foot moves first; and when moving to the right, the right foot moves first.

I like to emphasize stepping and sliding.  Step with your lead foot and then slide the other foot.  This can be done very quickly and will aid you in remaining balanced and centered.  Keep the distances moved symmetrical.  In other words, if you step forward eight inches with your lead foot, slide your rear foot forward the same distance, eight inches.  You want to keep the feet a consistent length apart.

The step can be quickened by springing off the opposite foot.  So if you are moving forward, you spring off the rear foot when you initiate the step and then the rear foot slides up.  If you are retreating, you spring off your front foot as you step back with your rear foot.  Then you slide the front foot back.

Practice moving around like this until you can move about gracefully. You want to be able to attain the smoothest and most coordinated movement between your feet.  This will only come with practice.

A very good activity to increase your mobility skills is dancing.  My dad used to always tell me I should learn different dances and dance more.  It develops balance, coordination, agility, and footwork.  I didn’t listen too well and am not a very good dancer yet, but I’m learning some now.  When Marc MacYoung asked me if I danced, I told him not much, but that my dad had always told me I should.  Animal’s reply was, “You should have listened to him.”  Besides helping with your footwork, it’s a great way to meet women.  My buddy Dave is an excellent dancer, and he never has any trouble finding someone to jitterbug with.  All the women want to get out there and be twisted, spun, and flipped by him, and often he’s the star of the dance floor when we go out.  Dancing hurts a lot less than fighting, not to mention it doesn’t get you in near the trouble.  Wouldn’t you rather go home with some cutie after a night of dancing instead of going home with a broken nose after a night of fisticuffs?

Adapted from Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks: How To Avoid A Fight And Things To Do When You Can’t Or Don’t Want To (Revised and Expanded).

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

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