Footwork for Sword Fighting, and How to Practice it

[@bestceler4590]

An alternative title would be: "The dance moves of the Crab people"

[@dannynukes7294]

Best Celer that so random. But funny.

[@BlackHeart1216]

@@dannynukes7294 Crab people, crab people, taste like crab, talk like people.

[@drefpet]

You made me laugh, thanks for that!

[@prathia8699]

Re

[@KickyFut]

@@prathia8699 I present 5:18. 😅

[@dannynukes7294]

“Alright today we shall talk about feet” - Skall 2020

[@krishnakantbhatt9947]

Also Skall 2020 "Not like that, you perv...🤨"

[@cdgonepotatoes4219]

@@krishnakantbhatt9947 like any good guru and journalist, quotes are meant to be misquoted.

[@ferikhoros8802]

Skall feet best feet

[@petruraciula9056]

Skall creates an OnlyFans page for his feet.

[@anthonyp3452]

3D idle lumberjack is using skallagrims footage for their ads!!!

[@repeat_defender]

This is EXACTLY what I needed right now!! I’ve been teaching myself long sword, saber, and montante, I had a 6 week beginners class about 4 years ago and that’s it and I think I’ve been doing pretty well, but my footwork is real weak. You explained everything I had forgotten and it’s very easy to understand. Thanks man!

[@Skallagrim]

Glad to know. If you keep working on it you'll make plenty of progress.

[@anthonyp3452]

@@Skallagrim 3D idle lumberjack is using skallagrims footage for their ads!!!

[@jakobfriedl8469]

@@anthonyp3452 saw the add, then came straight to skall to commet this

[@koreamify]

@bird bones I agree, I was looking for a good and concise overview of footwork for swordfighting. This scratched the itch.

[@kevintimmer2219]

Im gonna send this to my friend. Everytime we wanted to swordfigth with sticks, he walks like a fookin crippled goblin.

[@redundantfridge9764]

Goblin Slayer: *Heavy metal intensifies.*

[@florkiler6242]

hmmm a goblin you say

[@yopoxikeweapescai9066]

Should be nice to have friends to play with sticks 😔😔👌

[@ohcaptainmycaptain3478]

@@yopoxikeweapescai9066 Yeah

[@Tao_7891]

i mean, does it work well for him?

[@jdeveau6718]

Glad to see the leg healed. This stepping is similar to what I teach at judo.

[@Solais1019]

The base stance and weight distribution is also very similar to what I learned in taekwondo.

[@sevenproxies4255]

I noticed that it's curiously different from Kendo though.

[@richardchisenhall387]

Not a fighting style, but I'm a trained massage therapist and that's the stance we use to protect the body from damage over time to the therapist

[@hailhydreigon2700]

This stance is similar to what I teach in (insert martial art or sport here)

[@casbot71]

@@Solais1019 Same, when we did fencing for school I dominated everyone, and now I realise that it was because I _automatically used Taekwondo footwork without thinking._ Unfortunately because i just slaughtered everyone the class voted not to do fencing, partially because it was no fun competing against me, but mostly cause I was the weird kid everyone hated (which is why I did Taekwondo six nights a week) and they didn't want to do something I would enjoy.

[@cadethumann8605]

Even pirates of the Caribbean, for all of its silliness, pointed out the importance of footwork in the duel between jack and will.

[@reptiloidmitglied2930]

Former olympic fencer Bob Anderson trained Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. I guess they heard a lot about footwork before they could even start filming. He also trained Viggo Mortensen for LotR and was the choreographer for Zorro, The Princess Bride, Highlander and the original three Star wars-movies. He was also Darth Vader in the fighting scenes because David Prowse had a tendency to wreck the lightsabers :D

[@cadethumann8605]

@@reptiloidmitglied2930 One thing I am curious about is whether or not the "cross steps" footwork is realistic. In Curse of the black pearl, in the closeup shot of their feet, jack and will would cross their feet as they sidestep. Considering that sword martial arts vary between periods and styles, is there a real life basis for this? Of course, I know that the fights are not meant to be fully realistic and are meant for drama and/or spectacle, but fiction can be a fun way to learn truths, they they in the works or finding out how reality is different (one reason why I find tv tropes to be a fun way to learn about life and fiction).

[@torysaccount5753]

@@reptiloidmitglied2930 That guy sounds like the most badass person behind the camera of all time. Like „Yeah, I am the mentor for all the great fighters, watch me beat 200 opponents with a stick“

[@philipped.r.6385]

@@torysaccount5753 Sounds a bit like Syrio Forel. :D

[@JustinY.]

With the Demon Souls Remake and the upcoming Elden Ring, seeing the footwork will be quite amazing.

[@sleimanghanem7684]

Dude how in the hell did you see this so quick

[@rao2398]

You must have like 100 eyes. Now where ever I am going I a seeing you, you are doing it more than ever. Justin y

[@psyo_nade3177]

Ah, Why was I expecting you

[@heibk-2019]

Especially the footwork of the Maiden in Black...

[@LordCivers]

Good to see you again, mister Y...

[@Shaheem89]

When I was begginer in sword fight training, we spend about 10 hours just walking in stance. My thighs were in fire :D Now its complete natural and I dont think about it.

[@dune_strider3055]

Walk the walk. . .Keep on walkin

[@dude4real9455]

How the hell'd you walk in a stance for 10 hours? Guessing, that would make most people visit the emergency room with sprained ankle's and inflamed knees :P Alternatively, you could say you practiced moving in a fencing stance for some 4, 5 training sessions... Just sayin' =3

[@Shaheem89]

@@dude4real9455 Ofcourse it was spread over couple of training days.

[@bruceschneier6283]

Walking for 10 hrs is rough can you imagine actually doing 10 in stance lol

[@ashwynnnewkirk]

My old master had us practice nothing but walking for 7 months. There is a lot of finesse, technique and control in it to master. (I also suspect he had no patience for those who don't take the whole thing seriously) It took three months before I even got a sword in my hands and another four before I could swing it XD Just 4 months of walking in guard to perfect the control.

[@Blutsaugher]

Skall: "Alright, you can stop looking at my crotch now." Me staring at crotch: "I've made my mind."

[@bobbobber4810]

He can't tell us what to do or not do. :p

[@Leftyotism]

@@bobbobber4810 But he can tell us what we can stop doing. : >

[@darthjarkal]

This is the way

[@paulpolito2001]

I feel like you're one of the best people to talk about this, cause you went from "pretty bad footwork" to "very solid, functional technical footwork" before our very eyes. Love it, Skal!

[@l.o.b.2433]

Good thing those stances seem to have large parallels to my Karate experience. Won't have to learn that when I have my first lesson at Monday.

[@effigytormented]

Well I mean we are all humans with legs. Not a lot of things you can do with those crazy meat sticks aye?

[@l.o.b.2433]

@@effigytormented Well, the myriad of kicks aside, not many practical things, aye

[@Clowning4round]

Good to see a fellow karate/sword person.

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Good to see that your sun burn healed...

[@jaojao1768]

Yea I was thinking the same

[@Xarosai]

It also gave him a tiny tan!

[@hanu4898]

Was just going to write this.

[@gabrielzinho3230]

This was so useful it's hard to describe. On the one hand, it's inspiring. On the other hand, it's also very practical and straightforward. Thank you, Skall! It was great

[@Skallagrim]

Glad to know. :)

[@justbeegreen]

Foot work is the foundation to any martial art! Thank you for sharing this informative vid!

[@waylander7777]

The various footworks are very similar to Muay thai, Kali and kenjustsu footwork i teach. I guess there's only so many ways to efficiently use your feet in combat. Great vid.

[@melody7947]

"walking on your toes, that can also be a good exercise" ... which is something I sometimes just subconciously do. That's interesting news.

[@Sip_Dhit]

Achilles?

[@eirin099]

asbergers moment

[@josephburchanowski4636]

I found funny how some of these things I do in my free time, but for me it was just being goofy and fun, I wasn't trying to work on footwork or anything. Then again, they aren't quite like how skall is showing (much more goofy and clumsy), but they are eerily similar.

[@micahrobbins8353]

9:41 I’ve been doing this a lot lately just for the heck of it. I didn’t know it was an exercise, I just thought it was fun lol

[@Y4ngCP]

@@micahrobbins8353 same here... and like calf raises when waiting in the lone of the bank hahaha

[@user-pq9gy3fq1q]

When you ask for feet pics but you get 11 minutes of feet and knees

[@tach-uq5tw]

I call that a bargain

[@ManMalboro]

So many different toe articulations. Honestly, 11 minutes of close up legs is a great way to study the biomechanics! Look at those hips go!

[@AndreasSweden]

Thank you so much. This is the first time im actually exersising whilst watching a video. This feels like the video that will get me in to doing hema. It feels good, like i just might be able to learn how to swordfight. Im gonna get a stick and learn som basic german longsword stances and moves. Thank you Skaal for getting me off the couch.

[@klaudisLT]

This was one of the videos that pushed me to start doing HEMA. I still remember practicing footwork from this video in my living room :D And here I am 3 years later teaching beginners in my club footwork and other basics and foundation of longsword fencing.

[@StevenHouse1980]

Yay Skall, you do that funky deadly dance, now all you need is the right kind of combat music with shifting Tempo to practice along with.

[@imzulhu7545]

Glad to see someone else having the canadian leg tan

[@KT-fb8hm]

I wanna see a 100m race in fencing stance.

[@violetnred]

to make it more it justified, the race should require hitting targets as the participants move forward and receive random blows in return. you know, to make use of all that stability the stance provides

[@jeremyhulbert3343]

A good rule of thumb from a safety standpoint is never extend your knee past your toes. (this also applies to normal exercises, especially lunges). Doing so puts enormous stress on your knee and compromises your balance. In a fight it also applies, unless your opponent gives you a very good reason to make an extended lunge.

[@Skallagrim]

Right, I mentioned that in the first recording (which I had to discard because of crappy audio) but forgot in the second take. Definitely good to point out.

[@DubiousDubs]

That is completely untrue, and I wish people would stop spreading that misinformation. Look at the starting positions of football. Look at how a sprinter starts running. Look at how an Olympic weightlifter catches weight in the clean and jerk or snatch. Look at a wrestler shooting for a double leg. ALL of those require knees over toes. If you have WEAK knees, then going knees over toes is dangerous yes, but if you are healthy and athletic, it should not be a concern at all. In fact, it's a requirement to function at a high level in most sports. The reason you don't do it in fencing is not cuz of injury risk, it is because it over commits your weight in one direction.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

It's pretty cool how almost every physical sport, dance, and martial art requires knowledge of solid footwork. I didn't even do anything remotely similar to swordfighting in my youth, for I played ping pong and some tennis. And yet when I got into HEMA, all the basic body mechanics clicked because I learned those previously, with regard to arm extension, shoulder-width-apart feet, and hip rotation.

[@100dfrost]

In martial arts training they told us never cross your legs moving, but if you watch old films of Bruce Lee he did it constantly. Good video, thanks.

[@darreideamos2309]

Bruce Lee fights to look impressive. His fighting style is ment to be fun to look at not realistic. And he absolutely nailed it

[@pappystrongpantsdehorr654]

The most important part of any martial art is foundation, excellent video! TY Skall

[@bardiel2cc52]

as a fencer (Olympic) I couldn't stress how important foot work is so thank you for showing us H.E.M.A. foot work Skall!

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Pretty much all Martial Artists say the same thing. Can't build a decent house without a solid foundation after all.

[@BlackMithrandir13]

I love how Informative and fun your videos are! Watching you and some others like Shad from shaddiversity is making me think about opening a HEMA Club in my city to start practicing again. And thanks for this video that I can show to people when they don't get my explanations at first. :V

[@philipped.r.6385]

And here goes monetization! ;) Joke appart, thanks a lot Skallagrim! I want to get into HEMA, but at the moment it's difficult because the courses schedule is in the evening and I often work at that time. So, I would probably have to start by myself and I'm a terrible dancer, so I expect to terrible at footwork. Your video is a lot clearer than some other teaching videos on footwork I've seen, so I will try to practice it at home to at least have a base. I can't wait to have my own equipment and start learning HEMA for real!

[@nicho.7400]

Hello skallagrim! I'd like to inform you that a game called Idle Lumberjack use footage from your videos that i am 90%sure that you have not given permission to use for their ads

[@ohcaptainmycaptain3478]

You cannot make this shit up

[@AAArnold]

What are they even using it for lol

[@nicho.7400]

@@AAArnold its the video where he cuts those bamboo thingies. They basically just say Hey, you can cut! Like this guy except its on the phone now

[@williams8977]

Bruh

[@shadowmaster9279]

Just saying, I love these types of videos from you Skall!

[@morgenstern4.669]

*looks at thumbnail* I don't believe it. He actually did it. THE ABSOLUTE MADMAN

[@minasegazi4000]

I never knew there was a term for basic step I was taught for basic cut practice. Learn something new everyday.

[@bassemb]

Thanks for this, I used to think that gathering step was just another name for advancing/retreating step. Now I see the difference.

[@divineterabyte5181]

I know this doesnt have many views comparatively, but ill have you know im at least 6 of them; this has helped so much for my home practice

[@jasonquiver6907]

I've been aspiring to make 2D animation for quite a while now. This video will definitely help me when it comes to animating sword fights.

[@johndododoe1411]

Imagine doing it in 3D with a physics engine that actually calculates the details of falling over.

[@SpicyCactus]

Im so happy you made this video, Thank you Grim.

[@MacheteTalkStudios]

Thank you so much for covering different footwork styles! When I'm sparring with friends not in an Épeé/Foil fencing setting, i like to combine the gathering and fencing advance together, typically by always getting out of line, You also made a very good point, I didn't know about alot the different types of footwork that's out there, simply because mamuscripts about it, is quite rare!

[@Mettwurschtbrot]

This was actually much more interesting than i thought looking at the thumbnail

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

9:31 Skall squats correctly, with both heels on the ground. Life of Boris would approve.

[@thedatatreader]

Very interesting and I learned a lot, but I can't help but think of how many people are going to have a heyday making hilarious GIFs of this.

[@tach-uq5tw]

As someone who used to practice karate and is now gettining into sworfighting I find my footwork is one of the few things I'm decent at

[@Neiot]

Oh, wow. I just now noticed your video timelines are getting segmented by topic. That's useful! :)

[@Skallagrim]

It takes some extra time because I have to write down the time stamps and topic in the description, but it sure is helpful.

[@MeatzB]

It’s heart warming and immensely honorable that we have not forgotten our European heritage. Greetings from Denmark. Oh and I bet skallagrim won’t reply to this comment.

[@matanuywild2726]

that is maybe one of the best fast overhal tutorails for Footwok i have ever found. thx for that nice litte basic infos. maybe my frends can learn easyer with the video. keep doing you nice stuff thx it^^

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Very useful. It does remind me a lot of both marching band and martial arts footwork.

[@raphaelalexandreyensen6291]

this is exactly what I was trying to teach a friend the other day thank you.

[@knl3536]

谢谢！

[@jamalkumara1381]

AWESOME VIDEO SKALL!!! Really glad to have you explain these details. Your martial arts technique videos and weapon review videos are my favourites. Always extremely informative, accurate, concise and you speak humbly which is refreshing. Overall been watching for a while and this really made me realise how much i appreciate your vids. Thank you!

[@skhturner]

Nice video. I'd recommend landing heel/toe when advancing as you land more comfortably and it cushions the landing (esp for your knee)

[@WolfHreda]

It's a very special day for a particular subset of Skall's fans. Get a load of those gams! 😁

[@heideknight9122]

Much needed training! Glad you covered this as many do not.

[@VstoLrde]

Genuinely thank you for this video!!!

[@s_i_l_e_n_c_e2164]

Has anyone else been getting those KZbin ads about some cheap mobile wood cutting game? I've noticed they took some tatami matt cutting test clips from skallagrim and I think he should know !

[@kevinlobos5519]

Very nice video, footwork is a pillar in any martial art, but arguably, it's even the more important in armed combat where usually a single mistake can cost you the fight. I practice Kung Fu and I'm happy and impressed to see crossing and gathering steps in HEMA. Outsiders (including myself when I started) usually think these steps look and feel weird and impractical, especially since in Kung Fu and other traditional martial arts these steps are taught as stances.

[@nilsschenkel7149]

Hope you don't mind me saying this, but it looks like you developed a Genu valgum ( medial deviation of one or both knees from their physiological axis, causing harmful load on a knees lateral 'bearing surface'). You might want to have a Physician have a look at your knees in the near future, especially if you already notice stress or pain during/after straining activities. All the best!

[@whoslineluver]

I think he sustained an injury to at least one while sparring years ago. Not sure which video it us but he mentions it somewhere.

[@Cormano980]

It's Genu vaginum

[@mjb7015]

I'm actually surprised how similar footwork can be in very unrelated styles. In my lineage of wing chun kung fu, we have all of these steps -- slightly differently, but basically the same step. Instead of "passing step" we call it a "through step", instead of "advancing" and "retreating" step, we have "half step" because we move half of our stance distance, instead of "gathering step" we have "full step", instead of "triangle step" we have "close step" (as in the opposite of open). The "half gather" you did at 8:50 is how we do our through step/passing step, because in wing chun we like to move diagonally instead of straight forwards. It's fascinating how two very different unrelated styles move so similarly.

[@benedict6962]

These are good all around footwork advice. They only really conflict with stances that require both feet facing forward, minimizing your profile and focusing entirely ahead.

[@DreadMew]

just as important as knowing the footwork is having the endurance to keep it up, full body endurance is a must in all martial arts & sports

[@romaniacountryball]

,,Today we talk about feet Not in that way you perv'' Too funny🤣

[@esgrimaxativa5175]

Thanks for sharing! I think footwork is probably the single most least looked at aspect of fighting in HEMA.

[@Rjm1331]

Great video! I’ve been in various martial arts over the years and staying on the balls of your feet is key to mobility and give you a faster reaction time which is crucial. Also, nice calves!

[@KirkWilliams300]

Man, can’t wait to see the footwork in the Demon’s Souls Remake. It seems with the improved animations, it may make the martial arts a bit easier to replicate.

[@crypteck-h4c]

Lol I don't think they will go for a realistic movement system for deamon souls

[@KirkWilliams300]

ludovico riglietti we will find out

[@demonicdonut22]

Well, I just stared at a man's legs for ten minutes... And liked it. Thanks Skall.

[@unwavering3594]

This actually came out at a good time I just bought my first sword and want to (over time) get a full set of armor, and with the bastard sword I just got start to practice the beginning steps of hema.

[@irfannurhadisatria2540]

Any club near your area? You should get a sparring partner at least once a week. What treatises are you looking at? Fiore seems to be more applicable to shorter bastard swords, while Lichtenauer/Meyer is more longer proper longswords.

[@irfannurhadisatria2540]

Although Fiore also shows fighting in armor and halfswording, I think most Harnischfechters (Armoured Fencers) are mostly using KdF treatises but I am not so certain...

[@unwavering3594]

@@irfannurhadisatria2540 I am planing on getting a mace, warhammer, axe, arming, sword, halberd, flamberge, dagger. So I don't know this is my first real look into everything. I got a bastard sword so I can get the basics of at least one handed and two handed swords down. But I have not idea what style is used for what I figured I should get the very basics first.

[@yurikhromov2905]

Good and solid instructions. Applies well to all sorts of fencing and some other martial arts too. Nice work Skall!

[@MG-bi6mq]

Filipino martial arts such as Arnis, escrima, and kali contain footwork from the old Spanish fencing systems. That might be a good resource to look into to elaborate on your footwork training.

[@casbot71]

As a fellow redhead (living in Australia, the natural enemy of the redhead) can I recommend that you do a little bit of Sun exposure every few days in as little clothing as possible. Set a timer beforehand and *follow it,* even if you feel you can take more Sun. Don't go for the maximum time you can endure, just enough to get a bit of colour without going pink. After a while you'll have enough colour to be able to withstand a long exposure or not suffer too much if you miss a bit with sunblock. Think of it as following a mediaeval treaties on building up tolerance to poisons…

[@Glorfindel_117]

But why though? Just dont go outside. It's like building up poison immunity. Why? Why drink poison to be able to ignore it? Just don't drink poison. Our redheaded bodies produce our own Vitamin D anyway.

[@alphamajor0195]

I remember from my brief time in martial arts ( Wado-Ryu ) when I was a teenager, this wide stance is known as “Kibadachi “, meaning “ horse stance “.

[@Havvran]

This is actually so very helpful. Thanks for the info.

[@koreamify]

As far as cross stepping goes: keeping you hips open is key to maintaining good balance. If you close your hips, it will be easy to get knocked off course. If you get pushed off course during a cross step you can still recover to a stable position fairly easy if your hips are open.

[@madshad3351]

Good vid. The same steps of traditional martial arts (Shaolin king fu) but just a more simplistic version. I do use the cross step alot. And the "triangle " step. Its great for quickly getting out of the way and or getting to the side or even behind the opponent. Thsts why the Japanese Bushido wore the wide pants to not telegraph their footwork. Also of worthy note; boxing has the same type of footwork. Great content

[@mace8873]

I think it was a good introduction, personally, I haven't given my footwork much thought, to me it was just "well there are places you can put your feet, and there are places you can't", and you'll learn those places by heart with training - and you'll learn to use your stance to lure your opponent into doing something he shouldn't have. But I've never really trained my footwork intentionally, I think it just came sort of naturally to me, but then again, stance is also dependent on the weapon you're using and whether or not you have a shield, and the size and shape of your shield and so on and so forth, no two fights are ever the same, and the rules might differ depending on who you're training with. Stay safe and have fun.:-)

[@captaindeo9594]

Alot of this very simular to boxing and MMA thanks heaps

[@lunarkomet]

Nicely explained and neatly organized video

[@bretlemieux2489]

Skal you are a funny guy lol made me laugh twice this morning opening statement an closing statement both made me laugh. As for foot work very informative for people who wish to know the sword but do not practice martial Arts of any kind. Thank you. Have a wonderful day

[@krigsgaldr7603]

I do full contact Buhurt/HMB and squatting with your footwork really helps as it automatically tenses your upper leg muscles (which is one of the most common places to be hit during fights) so because they are already tensed you tend to not get injured or knocked off balance as easily

[@PirinPirinKG]

I'm Thai. I train Thai sword also the foot work quite similar. It might because the body mechanical. Thanks for the clip.

[@dero4378]

Thank you Skallagrim

[@amaurystengel]

Thank you for this video, Skal! I think it's very useful!

[@hell86razer6]

Love the videos Skall!!!

[@IcicleFerret]

I feel like every time Skal introduces a video, he has to tell people to get their minds out of the gutter.

[@mitcharcher7528]

He knows his audience.

[@Ryzawa]

I can imagine animators using this for reference when animating walking movements in fighting games.

[@TrungNguyen-du9cn]

ONE, TWO, stab, stab, stab. THREE, FOUR, stab, stab, stab. Rhythm of ChaCha. Interesting video. Skall. I remember the footworks in martial arts, hidden in long flowing “pants”...

[@fishauchocolat177]

Always wanted to learn this

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

The crossing lateral step is very similar to the sidestep in Rugby/US Football, one advantage is not moving your centre of mass until the last moment and thus deceiving your opponent. There is, of course, a disadvantage that goes along with the sidestep, eventually it's hard on the knees, I'm still feeling it thirty years later.

[@direwolf8608]

Im start next week lessons of sword fighting with longsword so this video is very good for me :) Footwork is really important

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Yay, a new sword brother (or sister, or person). Don't worry about making mistakes. Nobody is expecting you to get it first try. Bring lots of water. Have fun. We're all a bunch of nerds down here.

[@direwolf8608]

@@scottmacgregor3444 im not worried at all its my Dream and i wanna be really good in sword fighting :)

[@CarlosCruz-mw4hp]

This entire video reminded me of my fencing coach Mr. Nagy. He stressed footwork as much as hand control.

[@matthewpham9525]

With the advancing step, the heel is the first thing that touches the ground according to both late military saber manuals as well as modern Olympic coaches. It’s more stable, puts less strain on the knee, and is less likely to twist an ankle if something goes wrong.

[@inthedenoftigers5702]

Was about to chime on this as well. Its a common beginner mistake to land with the toe first on the advancing step. Its also really important tactically in Olympic fencing for false steps: you place your lead heel down without transferring weight allowing you 1) split second decision to change your mind and push off into retreating and 2) Fool your opponent that you intend to advance - a false telegraph. For someone who has such high online visibility he should take a bit more care.

[@inthedenoftigers5702]

Now that I look at it again he also make another mistake. The tempo on advancing and retreating should not be taught initially as 1-2, 1-2.... That's bad pedagogy! Temp should be 1 -1: As in heel lands then as toe lands back leg snaps into position. Its quicker and less telegraphic. As the pupil improves and gains command over his footwork THEN they can move to 1-2 and break the rhythm up.

[@shaytepes7351]

Footwork, as in all martial arts, is there to keep your neck, head, and torso upright and straight. You won't have a large opening like when you lean into the target. The trick is to stay just out of range of danger with slight feet movements while staying grounded to apply power. Very important, but very basic. Most just want to spin a sword and do kick flips and don't really study positioning.

[@yomomz3921]

Interesting. I've done a bit of unarmed martial arts, so footwork in learning swordplay has been a big question mark for me. I'd hate to develop a bad habit through bad practice. Thanks for the video. I'll have to keep an eye out for more.

[@markfergerson2145]

You know, I've always been lousy at dancing. This looks like it would help. It also reminds me of a Lindybeige video about women in medieval times choosing mates partly on their dancing ability...

[@Hawkwolf1017]

A bit late to the party considering when this video came out but I just got myself some foam swords to have some fun with some co-workers and decided now is a good time to learn some actual technique. Apparently the little bit I have seen over the years means I surprise them a bit with my stuff, but I myself feel like a flailing idiot. Only reason why I stand any sort of chance is because they also suck. A video like this is I think is a decent starting point.

[@SurmaSampo]

Don't gather with the crossing step. Move the rear foot so the spacing is the same as the neutral stance but with the rear foot on the other side. Once in that stance you can either move the front foot to the new location or pivot back into the normal stance. It will feel weird at first but once you are accustomed to it you get a new stance in your toolbox.

[@jdsonical]

another great educational vid again

[@cmasonw]

Never thought I'd see the Skallagrippers

[@solopowermove2131]

The toes are my favorite.

[@edrichlouw1790]

Foot work stays basically the same across most martial arts. The biggest differences seem to come from depth.

[@Sip_Dhit]

And foot position

[@edrichlouw1790]

Sip Dhit not really. Every stance in one martial art seems to show up in others. Personally I saw this with fencing when I started doing it alongside Taekwondo. There wasn’t anything new as far as foot work or foot position went. The only thing I’ve seen with some very specific foot work was boxing.

[@tylerwaalen6963]

Great video, thank you.

[@starfirebird3099]

If Skall straightened his legs in that balancing on one foot position, it'd be a passable spiral