2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch

Kung Fu Wang

Sr. Grandmaster
MT Mentor
Most people train 1 step 1 punch, 1 step 2 punches, and 1 step 3 punches. Do you train 2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch? When your opponent moves back, you may need that 2 steps or 3 steps footwork to reach him.

2 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot and punch.

3 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot.
- Step in left foot in front of right foot and punch.

I like to call this "running punch (or dynamic punch)". What's your opinion on this?
 
Most people train 1 step 1 punch, 1 step 2 punches, and 1 step 3 punches. Do you train 2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch? When your opponent moves back, you may need that 2 steps or 3 steps footwork to reach him.

2 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot and punch.

3 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot.
- Step in left foot in front of right foot and punch.

I like to call this "running punch (or dynamic punch)". What's your opinion on this?
In karate this is called a "shuffle" step and moves you up or back without changing the lead side. Mixing this with regular step-thru steps makes it hard for the opponent to predict what your "inside" or "outside" (and associated openings) will be. It also makes it hard to predict which of your weapons is likely to be effectively launched. I often drilled my class on such stepping combinations.
 
In karate this is called a "shuffle" step and moves you up or back without changing the lead side. Mixing this with regular step-thru steps makes it hard for the opponent to predict what your "inside" or "outside" (and associated openings) will be. It also makes it hard to predict which of your weapons is likely to be effectively launched. I often drilled my class on such stepping combinations.
It makes sense that this footwork is also trained in Karate. People may say from the self-defense point of view, if your opponent moves back, there is no need to chase him. But in sport, you try to win that round, so chasing is necessary.

I like this kind of footwork very much. It makes a simple punch dynamic. When I do my 4 miles walking/training on the beach, I can repeat these over and over. I can add in a block/grab/pull, or downward parry before each punch. I can also punch the same side of my leading leg, or punch the opposite side of my leading leg.

The interested thing is, when I train this, I truly don't know which MA system that I'm training. The word "style" become meaningless when I train this.
 
Most people train 1 step 1 punch, 1 step 2 punches, and 1 step 3 punches. Do you train 2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch? When your opponent moves back, you may need that 2 steps or 3 steps footwork to reach him.

2 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot and punch.

3 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot.
- Step in left foot in front of right foot and punch.

I like to call this "running punch (or dynamic punch)". What's your opinion on this?
I train footwork separately from striking. Then work on various combinations which include multiple steps.
 
Yeah, footwork like this is another thing my current instructor will call out faster than your brain can keep up with. If you can't do it without thought you won't be able to keep up, especially when punches are paired to the footwork.
 
Most people train 1 step 1 punch, 1 step 2 punches, and 1 step 3 punches. Do you train 2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch? When your opponent moves back, you may need that 2 steps or 3 steps footwork to reach him.

range.jpeg


We do something like that to train how to enter and stay in an area.
There is no separate hand movement from foot stepping.

The stepping and footwork based on Tibetan white crane,
combined with taiji principles of movement.
 
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The stepping and footwork based on Tibetan white crane,
combined with taiji principles of movement.
Which Taiji principles are you using when you enter? I assume since there is no body contact yet; no MA principle can be applied at that moment.
 
Which Taiji principles are you using when you enter? I assume since there is no body contact yet; no MA principle can be applied at that moment.
From a distance my teacher would tell a person what they were going to do....
It was quite strange he would say stand over there.

Before a person could move he would tell them, what they were going to do...

I assume since there is no body contact yet; no MA principle can be applied at that moment.


I would say, that a lot of MA principles are used with out contact....or before contact is made.

"听劲" (Tīng Jìn), often translated as "listening energy," can also be understood as "active, passive awareness." This concept involves sensing and interpreting the energy and intent of an opponent, with or without physical touch, making a connection.

For example, in "entering," a practitioner must sense the correct moment to enter an opponent's space and exploit it.
This requires a high level of sensitivity and timing, which is developed through extensive practice and refinement of "听劲."

The "3 to1 step" I mentioned is something we did in Tibetan White Crane, along with a practice called "walking the circle." adapted into my practice for those I work with now.

TWC is famous for bypassing the need to block, intercepting, and foot work all used in controlling the space.

N-mantis has something called "leaking hand" (漏手, Lòu Shǒu)
Similar, a little bit different..Used to slip past an opponent's guard or defenses.
 
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Most people train 1 step 1 punch, 1 step 2 punches, and 1 step 3 punches. Do you train 2 steps 1 punch and 3 steps 1 punch? When your opponent moves back, you may need that 2 steps or 3 steps footwork to reach him.

2 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot and punch.

3 steps 1 punch:

- Both feet touch together.
- Step in right foot.
- Move left foot next to right foot,
- Step in right foot.
- Step in left foot in front of right foot and punch.

I like to call this "running punch (or dynamic punch)". What's your opinion on this?
If you take 2 or 3 steps, then your opponent can step back, circle out and/or counter too. Placing both feet together may be slow, double weighted and countered. Chasing (yang) can be considered using force.


Which Taiji principles are you using when you enter? I assume since there is no body contact yet; no MA principle can be applied at that moment.
Taiji principles and skills in concept can apply to no contact too whether striking or grappling. Using yin-yang (stepping) can help to control the opponent’s movement (bouncing is unnecessary).

 
Placing both feet together may be slow, double weighted and countered.
The reason you move your back foot next to your leading foot is to be sure that it's still safe to continue move in. You divide 1 full step (move back foot in front of leading foot) into 2 half steps.

When you bring your back foot next to your leading foot, your back foot doesn't carry any weight. It's called "side cat stance (or side empty stance)".

In these 2 clips, you can see the back foot that next to the leading foot only touch on the toes only. So, there is no "double weighted" issue here.


 
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Bringing the rear foot up to the front foot can also be deception- lead jab as the rear foot moves up. Simple but deceptive in more than one way.
 
Bringing the rear foot up to the front foot can also be deception- lead jab as the rear foot moves up. Simple but deceptive in more than one way.
Agree! I don't like to make a full step (move rear foot in front of front foot). If I'm outside of your kicking range, when I move my rear foot next to my front foot, since the distance between you and I are still the same, you still can't kick me right at that moment.

A fully committed move can expose my center to be kicked. Also, when my rear foot moves next to my front foot, my front foot is ready to kick.

There are many advantages for this footwork.
 
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Agree! I don't like to make a full step (move rear foot in front of front foot). If I'm outside of your kicking range, when I move my rear foot next to my front foot, since the distance between you and I are still the same, you still can't kick me right at that moment.

A fully committed move can expose my center to be kicked. Also, when my rear foot moves next to my front foot, my front foot is ready to kick.

There are many advantages for this footwork.
The flip side of that- if your center is back a little, you can increase the reach of that lead punch a little by moving the body slightly forward along with the rear foot. The other guy thinks he's barely out of range of that jab, but the jab along with your lead foot not moving, masks the fact that your body is moving slightly forward with it, putting him in range.
The big drawback though is if you screw up with both feet next to each other it's an awful small base to keep your balance over if the other guy has really good timing!
 
The reason you move your back foot next to your leading foot is to be sure that it's still safe to continue move in. You divide 1 full step (move back foot in front of leading foot) into 2 half steps.

When you bring your back foot next to your leading foot, your back foot doesn't carry any weight. It's called "side cat stance (or side empty stance)".

In these 2 clips, you can see the back foot that next to the leading foot only touch on the toes only. So, there is no "double weighted" issue here.

From fighting stance, Yang...

1. steps forward with front foot.
2. brings rear foot to lead foot.
3. steps forward landing lead hand.


From fighting stance, Lefevre...

1. shuffles bringing his rear foot forward. shortening his stance.
2. pushes off back foot and lands lead hand as front foot plants.


Taiji people have no children? To produce baby is using force.
Only using force (yang) is not using taiji yin-yang.
 
The flip side of that- if your center is back a little, you can increase the reach of that lead punch a little by moving the body slightly forward along with the rear foot. The other guy thinks he's barely out of range of that jab, but the jab along with your lead foot not moving, masks the fact that your body is moving slightly forward with it, putting him in range.
Yang steps forward and shifts his weight to the front foot then brings his rear foot forward. Lefevre shuffles bringing his rear foot forward still in the safe zone.

The big drawback though is if you screw up with both feet next to each other it's an awful small base to keep your balance over if the other guy has really good timing!
Lefevre shortens his stance but feet are not as close as Yang's. Lefevre's timing...

1. starts shuffle (changes) from safe zone.
2. lands and pushes off back foot (changes) from safe zone.
3. lands lead hand before opponent's front foot plants (double weighted)...



 
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