The Classic Step-thru Karate Punch

[JowGaWolf]

You can step in and step in again. I believe the forward footwork is faster than the backward footwork.

Forward footwork is faster but for those who are comfortable with fighting while moving backwards, the fast speed will become a disadvantage. From my experience fighters who move forward fast can only punch because they need their legs to move forward. This gives me free openings that I can take advantage of so long as they are moving forward like the person in the picture. The guy moving backwards in the video has more options to strike than the guy moving forward.

For me moving backwards = waiting / timing opening.
If I want to escape, then I move back a few steps and then move off the centerline to force my attacking opponent to readjust. If I don't move off the centerline then it's because I'm timing my opponent and not because I'm being overpowered.

The problem with the guy in the clip is that he got into the mindset of trying to regain his own forward momentum. Flow backwards first, move off center line, and then establish forward momentum while the attacker is adjusting. But like everything else, being able to fight while going backwards takes practice. He was getting linear punches but didn't make any attempts to parry or redirect. He just covered. had he taken an angle he could have turn it into a grappling game.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Forward footwork is faster but for those who are comfortable with fighting while moving backwards, the fast speed will become a disadvantage. From my experience fighters who move forward fast can only punch because they need their legs to move forward. This gives me free openings that I can take advantage of so long as they are moving forward like the person in the picture. The guy moving backwards in the video has more options to strike than the guy moving forward.

For me moving backwards = waiting / timing opening.
If I want to escape, then I move back a few steps and then move off the centerline to force my attacking opponent to readjust. If I don't move off the centerline then it's because I'm timing my opponent and not because I'm being overpowered.

The problem with the guy in the clip is that he got into the mindset of trying to regain his own forward momentum. Flow backwards first, move off center line, and then establish forward momentum while the attacker is adjusting. But like everything else, being able to fight while going backwards takes practice. He was getting linear punches but didn't make any attempts to parry or redirect. He just covered. had he taken an angle he could have turn it into a grappling game.

There is a time and place for everything. In this video clip, the guy on the left does not initiate a step in attack. He throws a counter left punch which causes the guy on the right to lean back, his balance momentarily broken. The guy on the left takes advantage of this (as he should) and charges his opponent, "sticking" to him, not allowing him to regain his footing.

I agree, his forward attack put him off balance, but the opponent even more so. If the backwards moving guy stepped off-line the attacker would have been terribly out of control and vulnerable, but in this case did not have the (physical/mental) ability to do so.

 

[JowGaWolf]

I agree, his forward attack put him off balance, but the opponent even more so. If the backwards moving guy stepped off-line the attacker would have been terribly out of control and vulnerable, but in this case did not have the (physical/mental) ability to do so.

My major rule for fighting while backing ups is: My choice, not my opponents. If my opponent is the one making me back up, then I'm doing it wrong. I should either stand my ground so that the punches will jam as they land, or I should escape by getting off center line. If I'm willingly backing up and my opponent has no say, then I'm doing it correctly (My choice, not my opponents).

Fighting backwards for me is actually a habit that I picked up from "sparring to learn." I used it to give me more time to analyze my opponents attacks and to get a better view of his movements. It just stuck from there. When I train others, I will also move backwards a mile doing the same thing to see if they are setting up an attack and to see if they will figure out how to cut an angle to prevent me from moving backwards. I'll have to check that video of one of the students punching me in the face to see if she was able to do it by moving off centerline and then attacking.