Kicking is only the offensive aspect of Taekwondo. Footwork will let us deal with defense and evasion. This set of directional movement drills will be the building blocks to more Advanced Footwork Drills. The purpose of these footwork drills are to improve your agility to maintain balance and have better ring control. Each one can be practiced separately, to get the body mechanics figured out. Then, we can combine them to form chains of movement.
Why Should I Practice This?
Practicing kicks expands the mobility of your legs. Footwork Drills will help to refine the movement of your whole body around the ring. Your legs will be busy enough throwing kicks. You, also, have to be mindful of where to step and move to make opportunities for clear shots, or to evade your opponent’s barrage.
The Movements
Forward Slide
From your fighting stance, slide the front foot forward while pushing with the rear foot. Once the front foot is planted, the rear foot follows forward to return to your fighting stance.
Backward Slide
From your fighting stance, slide the rear foot backward while pushing with the front foot. Once the rear foot is planted, the front foot follows backward to return to your fighting stance.
Forward Step
From your fighting stance, slide the rear foot forward to meet at the center. Then, continue to slide the rear foot forward until the distance of your fighting stance.
Backward Step
From your fighting stance, slide the front foot backward to meet at the center. Then, continue to slide the front foot backward until the distance of your fighting stance.
Inside Step
From your fighting stance, pivot the front foot inward, or in the direction of your chest. Then, step with the rear foot in that direction. The front foot should follow to return to your fighting stance.
Outside Step
From your fighting stance, pivot the rear foot outward, or in the direction of your back. Then, step with the front foot in that direction. The rear foot should follow to return to your fighting stance.
Turning Step
From your fighting stance, turn your torso to the rear, facing the opposite direction. Then, slide the rear foot to the center with your back facing the opponent. Continue sliding the rear foot forward while turning around to return to your fighting stance.
Practice In-Line
Assuming you have access to a large floor space, these movements can be practiced individually in linear fashion.
Mark a Start and End point.
Beginning with the Forward Slide, one by one, make your way from start to finish. At the starting point, get into your Fighting Stance and give yourself a few beats. Breathe, one two, Go! Forward Slide!
With the Backward Slide, face the opposite direction, therefore, going backwards at the starting line. Get into your Fighting Stance and give yourself a few beats. Breathe, one two, Go! Backward Slide!
Forward and Backward Step would be practiced similar to the slides.
The Inside and Outside Steps can be practiced alternating or by switching stance. For example, first, execute a Forward Slide, allowing you to move towards the finish line. Then, immediately go into an Inside Step. Thus, having moved in a relative L-shape. From here, you can either switch your stance and continue Inside Steps, or, execute a Forward Slide followed by an Outside Step.
Combinations with Inside and Outside Steps
Forward Slide, Inside Step, Switch Stance, REPEAT
Forward Slide, Inside Step, Forward Slide, Outside Step
Backward Step, Inside Step, Backward Step, Inside Step, etc.
Backward Slide, Outside Step, Switch Stance, REPEAT
Inside Step, Turning Step, Inside Step, Turning Step, etc.
Mix and Match
Try out some of your own movement chains! Practice to learn how your body can move in different directions while still being alert and ready to throw a kick at a moment’s notice. Understand how your foot placements relative to your hips allow you to kick, or force you to fall. These exercises are meant to develop your agility. “Float like a Butterfly” type of thing. To “Sting like a Bee”, well, that one, you’re gonna have to look into developing your Kicking Speed.