Half-circle step ... or not?

[zDom]

Which does your school do?

Going from front stance to another front stance, for example, do you


a) bring back foot close to front foot , then out in front creating a "half circle" path,

or

b) move back foot forward in straight line, like on a rail?

 

[PrayingMantis]

In my club we do what I think you were describing as a).

We bring the rea foot to the front foot, and then step out into the new stance with that same foot. I am pretty sure that is what you described, but I am very tired, so I might be wrong.

 

[Kacey]

We used to step in an inward half circle - your "a" - but stopped doing it because it is unnatural, and all motions in TKD should be natural. Stepping in patterns, line drills, and exercises should be natural - you should be taking normal steps whenever stepping in TKD; only the landings in stances are unlike normal walking.

 

[SFC JeffJ]

When I first learned the TKD forms I know, I did them using the half-circle. Then I was told to step straight as that will transfer energy better in your strikes.

Makes sense to me.

Jeff

 

[Hollywood1340]

We used to step in an inward half circle - your "a" - but stopped doing it because it is unnatural, and all motions in TKD should be natural. Stepping in patterns, line drills, and exercises should be natural - you should be taking normal steps whenever stepping in TKD; only the landings in stances are unlike normal walking.

All motions in TKD should be natural? I've found it pesonaly one of the most unatural things on earth. If not, more people would be doing it with us ;P

Jokes aside, can you elaborate a bit? Seeing as I don't walk normaly in a front stance, getting my legs to the required distance fore and aft requires some....unatural motions.

 

[Kacey]

All motions in TKD should be natural? I've found it pesonaly one of the most unatural things on earth. If not, more people would be doing it with us ;P

Jokes aside, can you elaborate a bit? Seeing as I don't walk normaly in a front stance, getting my legs to the required distance fore and aft requires some....unatural motions.

As I said, the landing is not natural, but the step itself is a natural step, the way you would walk outside of the dojang. Too many people either don't raise their feet off the floor, or pick their feet up knee-high or higher, and that shouldn't be happening. If the stance you're landing in feels too unnatural, then perhaps it's your stance. The easiest way to check front stance is to get into one and then place your rear knee on the ground, without moving your feet. The front of your rear knee should be just level with the back of your rear heel - if so, you are in a good (ITF) walking/front stance. If not, something needs to be adjusted - move your knee so it is level with (and next to) your heel, keep your feet in the same position, and stand up. See if your stance is the same or different.

Just a disclaimer here - I only know ITF (Ch'ang H'on) TKD - my answer may not apply to a WTF setting.

 

[karatekid1975]

I learned the half circle thing in TSD. I still did it in TKD for basics going down the floor, but I was told not to for forms. But since I do ITF now, I can do it anytime (depending on the form, that is).

 

[Carol]

I don't train in TKD, but my old Kenpo school would do footwork drills where we would go from one side of the mat to another from front stance to front stance.

We would often work the (what we called) the half-moon step in to these drills. It's not a step that's used in Kenpo, but I found the drills to be fantastic at smoothing out my footwork.

 

[Miles]

I teach that steps should be done straight-ahead, no half-moon/circle step.

However, I was originally taught (pre-sine wave ITF) to have the half-moon/circle step as it better protects the groin in case you are hit mid-stride.

I think that the step discussion necessarily requires one to decide if their stance is the final ending point or merely a transition unto itself. What do you all think?

Miles

 

[IcemanSK]

I don't do the "C step" (as I've heard it called), but I've trained with some non-TKD folks who do. I can see a benefit in it in terms of helping w/ focus & (perhaps) discipline. I have a hard enough time just walking straight, myself.

 

[SFC JeffJ]

The half moon stepping seem to offer more stability as well. But it doesn't allow as much power transfer. There are pros and cons to both.

Jeff

 

[IcemanSK]

My wife brings the point that for women, it (the C-step) shifts your center gravity in an uncomfortable position.

You're right Jeff, it has pros & cons.

 

[Marginal]

Which does your school do?

Going from front stance to another front stance, for example, do you


a) bring back foot close to front foot , then out in front creating a "half circle" path,

or

b) move back foot forward in straight line, like on a rail?

C. More of a compromise between the two. We don't bring the foot past the centerline to avoid compromising balance, but we still do bring it inwards since it's a natural motion. (Walking involves ending up on one leg at the apex of the step with your supporting leg straight, which naturally draws your stepping leg inwards since your balance shifts the leg slightly inward. Only way to check that natural motion is to keep your hips perpetually tensed to prevent the inward swing of the stepping leg. Not natural at all.)

 

[Grenadier]

Back in my Tae Kwon Do days, we didn't step in a complete straight line, but at the same time, we didn't make wide arcs, either. Instead, the feet would travel inwards just a wee bit over the center "line" where the torso was located.

The feet would slide across the floor, and if someone needed to pick up a foot, they would stay as close to the ground as possible.