Footwork Question--Pushing Off With the Trailing Foot

[HerbM]

Clarifications:

First: I don't think it "minimizes the size of your steps" so much as is "sets an effective maximum size".

You (almost) can't step TOO big this way, but you are still free to take any size step from an inch to whatever your maximum balanced step might be.

Second: Do NOT transfer your weight back to the following foot -- this is a large part of what pushing is supposed to limit and prevent.

Try this -- it might be wrong, but I had trouble too until I started thinking about or doing it this way, and my coach immediately stopped correcting my push:

Press with the pushing foot too to TAKE more weight/pressure rather than setting yourself back on that foot to transfer.

This is what I think/do. I don't really "rise up" but I ALMOST think of it like this sense my PUSH much either raise me up or push me in the desired direction -- at the moment where I WOULD rise up or shift my balance towards the lead foot the lead foot uses this pressure to step in the desired direction.

There are four main ways to move (assuming orthodox stance, reverse for Southpaw of course): Push front foot to go back or circle right. Push back foot to circle left or move forward.

Pushing to go right (away from front foot) is the most difficult since you front toes are the closest thing to the new desired location -- it's almost like push to PULL yourself around to the right.

Also, because moving right is usually a (big) PIVOT -- not simple a side step so putting more pressure on those toes is a little more likely to add friction resistance to that pivot on the same toes (the front/following foot.)

This (move right) is the most awkward or unnatural for me, and I suspect it is for this reason. So, I tend to ACCENTUATE the "push up to take the weight" onto the front foot in this case.

Notice PLEASE: I am not suggesting that you are actually bobbing upwards, but rather that you are THINKING this way and immediately using the weight TAKING transfer (taking weight by pushing) to allow the moving foot to move freely (as the weight comes off it a bit).

Remember, the weight is coming off the leading foot NOT because we shifted to the following foot but because the following foot PUSHED to take on more of the pressure/weight of the stance.

I really believe this is that is going on so if it helps you use it, but do continue to treat this as unconfirmed rumor since...

I might be full of baloney (and beans.)

[WayneFlint]

its all about balance, if you had to slide a tall standing refridgerator across the ground where would you push it at the top or the bottom?

[Scrap]

Francis was a good Fighter some years ago. He talks a lot of Sense for a Scoucer