Footwork: Flat Footed Fighting

In this video I go over how to fight flat footed, many fighters are taught not to go flat footed when fighting and while many of the reasons are legitimate I am going to show you why you need to train it.
I explain my definition of flat footed fighting so that we can both be on the same page when it comes to using it and understanding how to do it without any confusion.
For street fighting it is very important to use the proper footwork so as not to lose your balance, slip or fall down as a result of not paying attention to what type of surface you're fighting on.
If you spar in the gym on a flat smooth surface with foot wear geared for that type of surface you need from time to time to get outside and spar or fight train in shoes you would wear when not in the gym and see how different you move outside the gym as opposed to inside the gym.
So sit back and watch as I break down this type of footwork to help you when attacked outside the gym.
And always remember flat footed fighting has always had a place in combatives, so stop dancing around like a ballerina on the toes and get back down on the ground.
You think a Spartan would ever be caught dead prancing around on the battlefield? I doubt it!
So get to stepping!

[@lefthookful]

I always thought being on your toes doesn't work well out of the ring. Thanks for showing me why this is the case.

[@BareFisted]

You're very welcome Lefthookful.

[@MjahedTV]

excellent video, this channel brings the "lost" knowledge of the old school, if you make that stance more "bladed"/sideways is that then the stance of the old timers like joe gans,sam langford and jack johnson? is it possible that you make a video about rolling and riding punches?

[@BareFisted]

Yes, but I use a less bladed stance to kick, and knee from. Rolling and Riding Punches, I'll have to add that to my list of videos to make, so the answer is yes.

[@Bookrider951]

Great video, Daniel! This really helped up my game. But I tend to usually go flat footed on my BACK foot, and switch my weight to the front foot when I strike or defend, instead of ALWAYS having the weight on the front leg, so that I can always be moving, and never in one place for long. So does it matter if I'm always switching where my weight is? I've been trying to infuse my Muay Thai training with Muay Chaiya and other martial arts for a system that'll work for me, and my footwork is something that's been really hard to fuse together into something that'll work smoothly...

[@BareFisted]

Hey Robert, thanks for the comment. What I show you in this video is a more aggressive offense using my definition of flat footed fighting. While most think of flat footed fighting as having both feet on the ground, my way is having only one flat on the ground, which means 70% of your weight is on the lead flat foot and 30% on the back raised foot. But you can always fight on the ball of both feet when necessary so yes you can always switch when needed.

[@walterworth890]

great video sir.

[@BareFisted]

Thanks Walter,

[@Dre11418]

I noticed around 7:00 when you were moving in you were switch hitting & in ring boxing that's a huge no no. What style / were did you pick that up from?

[@BareFisted]

That's how the bareknuckle fighters of old moved, also many of the great boxers of the past. It's only a no no if you don't know how to strike and shift simultaneously. Most boxers get frustrated fighting someone who knows how to shift. I've used it in many streetfights and also in Muay Thai. Watch one of my videos on Shifting to get an idea on how to use it, you might just add it to your fighting skills.

[@Dre11418]

BareFisted I definitely will. Thanks.

[@funtatentay669]

I been having problems getting this stomp to go along with the punch but i do understand the importance

[@BareFisted]

Like everything else it takes time and practice.

[@thecaseyleggett]

This is good information and I agree with your rationales, I just find it odd that you call this "flat-footed" fighting. One heel is always raised and I assume you aren't suggesting that the other foot should actually be "flat-footed" in the sense that the arch of the foot is collapsed, which is purely dysfunctional. While the whole foot is on the ground the arch is maintained to avoid the knee bowing inward and to retain some measure of springiness off the floor, so it isn't really a flat foot in the normal sense of the term.

[@BareFisted]

True, my heel and the ball of the foot and the toes are all on the ground the arch is not.

[@Entei1482]

How can I physically strengthen my fist to take more damage? Also, I'm quite skinny so if I do boxing would my ribs get fractured?

[@BareFisted]

Do Finger Tip Push Ups and Knuckle Push Ups, Your ribs could get fractured if you don't protect them, so keep your elbows tight to your ribs when sparring.

[@Entei1482]

BareFisted I have been doing knuckle and fingertip pushups and have seen an increase in hand and knuckle strength. Is punching walls a good way to increase knuckle bone density? I have tried doing it gradually and am able to punch walls harder than I started.

[@Entei1482]

BareFisted oh and thanks for the advice. I was really worried about sparring but now I'm going to find a gym asap. I live in Toronto, Canada if you have any recommendations.

[@BareFisted]

Fill a canvas bag with 15- 20 pounds of sand and hang it against a wall or tree. Then punch it hard and keep driving the punch into the sand bag for a count of ten, relax your fist and strike it again and repeat this sequence for 8-10 reps, then do the other fist. Do this workout two to three times per week for 6 weeks, your fists will become very strong. Forget about punching walls, punch sand bags instead.

[@BareFisted]

TheMGhandi I'm sorry I don't know of any gyms in your area. Just make sure they teach proper footwork and punching power that starts from the ground up.