Non-Linear footwork

[tigroon]

Hello everyone

due to my background in Shotokan Karate I find that
my footwork is too straight/linear/modern fencing like.
I.e. I go straight at my partner when attacking. It does
not go well at all with some savate guys who
systematically front-kick my forward leg and stop me.
Could someone explain to me some alternate not-so-linear
footwork for attacking and defending ? (yes I also tend to
retreat linearly when defending). Are there some drills I can
practice by myself or with a partner to correct this ?
Are there some anims or video clips on some site which
shows this ?
PS: I realize explaining footwork with words is
not easy but I'm thinking maybe some
little footprints animation (social-dancing like) might help.
Anyone knows a tool which does this ? Might be a
project for me if there is some interest in this.

[peopleschamp]

The fma's have great footwork drills. Male and Female triangle. It's about angling in and attack and going around an opponent that you can't go through. I'm sure it's explained on the web, plus dog brothers have a footwork vhs that is pretty good at showing how to do this in sparring.

Best bet is find a friend or school where you can learn. Since you're mainly talking about sparring, then this is a good time to experiment a bit and see what works. Tape yourself when you can. Try to sidestep an attack instead of backing away. If you have the habit of going straight in, you could rush sidestep quickly and then rush in to close and attack (angling in). Takes a lot of practice.

[Tom Yum]

Hello everyone
but I'm thinking maybe some
little footprints animation (social-dancing like) might help.

What's wrong with going to an instructor and asking them to teach you?

[tigroon]

The fma's have great footwork drills...Takes a lot of practice.

Thanks for the advice Peopleschamp. I will google the FMA up...

[tigroon]

What's wrong with going to an instructor and asking them to teach you?

Nothing at all. On the other hand what are forums for if not asking such questions ?

As a matter of fact my knees didn't appreciate the kicks at all (even though the guys kicked my thigh, not the knee) because I have some cartilage problem. So I'm on a break from club training right now.
I was hoping for some pointers to on-line resources or some explanation here in the forum, so that I can practice a bit before returning to the club.
Now you are right that asking an instructor is the best solution. Wonder if I could get some private lessons until my knees heal enough for group lessons.
The 'little footprints' part is a product of my overactive imagination (I'm currently learning .NET programming and it seemed a possible application/exercise. Dunno if it would really be useful to someone.)

[Tom Yum]

Can you still stretch?

You might talk to a coach or physician about your knees. Swimming is a good low impact excercise in the mean time.

Cool to see that people go out into the world to learn new things (the programming)

[tigroon]

Can you still stretch?

I do some modified stretches, avoiding straight-leg stretches and heel-on-buttock stretches that grind my cartilage away

You might talk to a coach or physician about your knees.

My physician said not to ski nor squat too much, avoid any move that causes pain, apply ice after each workout... I'm not totally barred from sports but clearly the kicks to my legs didn't do any good.
I find it difficult to temper myself in a club setting - I want do to the same as everyone else. And everyone else is doing straight-leg stretches (although it seems more and more coaches are aware of the danger to the knee) and squats and sparring... I want to spar too

Swimming is a good low impact excercise in the mean time.

Thanks for the advice. Swimming is not so bad except last time I tried I overdid it... and it's boring by comparison with MA. I might try again the swimming pool this year. I still would like to practice some low-impact MA drills until I feel good enough to pick up club training though.

Cool to see that people go out into the world to learn new things (the programming)

Well, programming is my job except until now I was into low-level system programming, not applications.

[Tom Yum]

Well, programming is my job except until now I was into low-level system programming, not applications.

In otherwords you were a programmer turning into an engineer....

[speedkills]

I to am from a shotokan background and have never had issues with my stance. I move with my opponet or against him its all the mood of the action, but i never, ever leave my legs open for NO ONE!
Also i swim alot and agree it does wonders for rehab purposes.