LESSONS AND DRILLS 2

LESSONS AND DRILLS 2 - ADVANCE

Mastery of two basic footwork movements, the advance and the retreat, is absolutely critical to your ability to move on the strip, to position yourself for the attack, and to avoid your opponent's attack in defense. Well balanced and quick movements ensure your ability to control distance in the bout.

To advance (move forward on the strip):

(1) assume the basic on guard position.

(2) raise the toes on your front foot to clear the floor.

(3) step forward with your front leg by swinging out and straightening the lower leg and landing on the heel of the front foot. The step should be roughly a foot length long - small rapid steps cover ground more rapidly than larger steps. The foot should travel in the direction you wish to move, preserving the same L shaped position as you assumed when you came on guard - don't turn the foot or let it migrate to the inside to form a T.

(4) nearly simultaneously with the toes of your front foot touching the piste, pick up the back foot and bring it forward the same distance as you stepped forward with your front foot, and put it down. The rear foot should skim along very close to the piste, not drag on it. When your two feet have landed they should be the same distance apart as in your normal guard.

(5) keep your body vertical, with your posterior tucked under, and do not move upward or downward with the step - you should remain at the same level as your on guard position with your head up and shoulders level. Above all, you should not shift your weight forward or backwards in the advance - doing so robs you of the ability to rapidly change direction, take additional steps, or lunge in a controlled way

(6) keep your weapon arm pointed forward toward the opponent, ready to either initiate an attack or a defensive parry.

First week: Perform the following drill once a day:

(1) from a relaxed on guard, advance on step.

(2) pause and check all of the elements of the position listed above - adjust as necessary.

(3) repeat for 10 times, advance, pause and check, advance, etc. Your advance should be the same length each time, on the same level as your on guard, and preserving correct foot position and distance apart. Rest and repeat for 5 sets of 50 advances, with a rest between each set of 10 advances.

Second week: Perform the following drill once a day:

(1) from a relaxed on guard, advance once, pause and check, advance twice, pause and check, advance three times, pause and check.

(2) repeat for 10 times for 5 sets, with a rest between each set of 10 sequences of 1-2-3 advances.