LESSONS AND DRILLS 3

LESSONS AND DRILLS 3 - RETREAT

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 retreat (move backward on the strip):

(1) assume the basic on guard position.

(2) reach backward with your rear leg and foot for a distance equal to your normal advancing step, typically a foot or less, landing on the ball of the rear foot.

(3) then move backward with the front foot and leg. The heel of the rear foot settles onto the strip at the same time the front foot arrives in position. The front foot should move backward 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) Both the front and rear feet 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 retreat - 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, retreat one step.

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

(3) repeat for 10 times, retreat, pause and check, retreat, etc. Your retreat 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 retreats, with a rest between each set of 10 retreats.

Second week: Perform the following drill once a day:

(1) from a relaxed on guard, retreat once, pause and check, retreat twice, pause and check, retreat 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 retreats.