3 Footwork patterns all fighters should know

Three fundamental footwork patterns that all fighters should know. Moving in and out by an inch to set up a rock step pivot or a walking step pivot.
“Footwork” is one of the most misused and abused terms in combat sports, martial arts training, and fighting in general. Good “footwork” does not mean pretty looking graceful movements of the feet- it means putting your feet in the correct position to use a particular technique. Every stand up technique has a footwork pattern associated with it- whether we talk about striking, grappling, boxing, judo, Muay Thai clinch fighting, kicking, punching, you name it- those techniques have their own footwork patterns.
In this video I’ll show you three of the most important, universally used footwork patterns for counterpunching and counter striking in general. Master your in and out footwork to bait your opponent to move into a vulnerable position, and lay traps for him with your pivots to create angles.
Shanghai based MMA Coach and Kunlun Fight Combat League ringside commentator Ramsey Dewey answers questions from the viewers.
Thanks to the channel sponsor, No-Gi BJJ Gear. Use my code RAMSEY10 for a 10% discount on everything at www.nogibjjgear.com/?ref=AyJ_...
This video features original music by Ramsey Dewey
Follow me on Instagram at: / ramseydewey

[@a-blivvy-yus]

I find it interesting that you mentioned the "dancing" vs. "flat footed" thing, because I've seen a lot of people make that mistake in less-than-professional fights. One guy stands still while the other starts bouncing around. They think they're Bruce Lee, or Ken from Street Fighter, and they jump forward and back at random thinking that "fast" movement means you can't hit them. You see them lift both feet off the ground, and you plant your punch or kick where they're going. Suddenly "too fast to hit" becomes "too airborne to dodge".

[@RamseyDewey]

Exactly!

[@flamierize9537]

So you would recommend to stay flat footed? I don't think a lot of pros does that but i might be wrong, specially in boxing

[@a-blivvy-yus]

@@flamierize9537 There are TWO extremes where you're doing it wrong for a real fight, not just the one. If you keep your feet actually flat on the ground and don't raise your heels to get that ability to react faster, that's going to slow you down. But if you go too far on bouncing and trying to look fast by jumping off the ground all the time instead of maintaining control over your movements, you make yourself so predictable you might as well not be moving. The moment you take both feet of the ground, you have no control any more, and someone who can see your take-off knows where you're going to land and can hit you before you get there. The advice here is to find that middle-ground where you have fast movement and consistent control over it, rather than going too far in either direction.

[@dzen_dzenkazan8050]

​@@flamierize9537 look at how ti j dillashow moves. He is all around in octagon, bouncing from here to there in first round. Maybe in first half of the second. Then he drops that jumpy manner, but he is still speedster.

[@eproductions5115]

Oh hell yes, that good conceptual stuff

[@masterwrong4933]

@@benjaminhoover6427 You're right. If you want to learn stuff you learn it from the best I.e me

[@ponkhan]

I never thought I'd see Prometheus used as an illustration for footwork, but here we are. Great vid as always!

[@lowlowseesee]

i cant believe he used Prometheus ahahahaha

[@kobaltkween]

My husband was _so_ very glad to see you sharing this really basic and essential footwork. He said, "So many people make it complex, but it's really very simple." Oh, and yes, that part of Prometheus was incredibly frustrating to watch. There were frustrating parts, but that was just aggravating.

[@NeutroniummAlchemist]

One of my favorite things to do against someone who starts bouncing too high is to charge in when they are at the peak of the jump. You can't really do anything then.

[@a-blivvy-yus]

The moment a bouncy fighter who people think is "fast" with "good footwork" lifts both feet off the ground, you know where they're going for far too long and it's too late for them to change direction. If you're anywhere near where they're going, you can kick that spot and you don't have to be fast to land that hit.

[@Gh0st_0723]

Fake a single. usually guys who are over hopping over react because they don't really know what part of their hop they are in. So fake a single and come up with an uppercut as they try to sprawl out. Or fake a single on the lead leg and then pivot to that side for a head kick or a hook. Safe training Bros!

[@arandompersonlol1202]

@@Gh0st_0723 try that against Dominick Cruz 😉

[@Gh0st_0723]

@@arandompersonlol1202 lol he would wreck me and I out weigh him by 50 pounds. But nothing work's on everyone brother, there are always exceptions. If I were to fight him, I would bite down on my mouth piece, brawl and hope for the best.

[@arandompersonlol1202]

@@Gh0st_0723 I understand you man, I was joking obviously 😉. I'm a huge fan of Dominick Cruz. I always practice his style and try to use it myself and I'm getting better at it everyday, during all this lockdown, I have time to practice my footwork 3 times a day. I just love Cruz' style so much. I want to be like him someday, it's my dream to become a professional fighter. I hope you achieve your dreams too my brother. 🙏👍

[@DuckmanYaHeard]

Thank you Master Ramsey for another useful video. I’m 35 and training has been my answer to depression and anxiety. I’ve been wanting to nail the basics. This is so helpful. I’m so glad I found your videos. This channel has helped me in more ways than you’ll ever know. Thanks again! 🙏🏻

[@richardpeterson4440]

The Prometheus school of running away from things! Thanks for covering the basics!

Simple and effective!

[@charlesdourado8292]

Marco, vc por aqui hehehehe

[@charlesdourado8292]

Eu tbm adoro esse canal

[@victorsrur134]

Marco você por aqui,tu e o Ramsey são os melhores youtubers de artes marciais e defesa pessoal,sempre falam a realidade

@@victorsrur134 Mas o Ramsey é mais chic!!!!

[@victorsrur134]

@ sim kkk, você é mais informal e com honestidade brutal,enquanto ele fala mais formalmente

[@shatdamouthboyah4568]

This was ill! I wish you made more videos like this recently. You sound almost like MindSmash!

[@RamseyDewey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/havYhp-gYt2Ba5I

[@DuckmanYaHeard]

benjamin hoover so you hang out in the comments of his videos? 🧐 I wish you the best of luck with your struggles. I can’t imagine how much hurt you must have in your heart. Maybe work harder on prioritization. 👍🏻

[@treroney4720]

Shatdamouth BOYAH mindsmash ID Indian

[@blackligxt9413]

lmao mindsmash

[@rinaberman7686]

@@DuckmanYaHeard What did I miss? LMAO. Sounds like a troll doing a dirty delete?

[@demoncore5342]

Reminds me so much of a sword fighting, distance and angle. Parrying, countering, atacking... as you move guard to guard.

[@eddard9442]

I came here to see what i could use in sword fighting hehe

[@user-ld4qt6ci7b]

I suppose all melee fighting has the same basic concepts - after all, it's a human fighting another human, and humans are all roughly the same

[@terischannel]

I love the way you teach the pivot step. That's the most simple way I have seen it broken down.

[@zip34ut]

One of the absolute best footwork videos i’ve ever seen. Going to try it in my kickboxing sparring wish me luck :)

[@robbybee70]

footwork, the training everybody hates but everybody needs

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Not everybody hates it tho

[@robbybee70]

@@jestfullgremblim8002 I mean somewhat true but at least 90% of people don't like it

[@peacecrafttrue]

Footwork was actually what we drilled most in foil fencing, a good lunge makes the difference. Step pivot, step pivot, 5 6 7 8

[@Aslan5812]

Thank you, coach! You made me realize how important footwork is ever since that McGregor-Cerrone fight. Love footwork! Also love the idea of small steps, micro adjustments and that you don't need much

[@marcobala9284]

Thanks, but people won't appreciate these type of techniques. Much respect for all great content!

[@SkepticRaider]

Ramsey, the beat is amazing!🎵🎶

[@IccyTheOne]

Prometheus fan here, that film is extremely underrated. I waited 5 years to see the sequel for that movie, and it turned into the VERY disappointing Alien Covenant 🙄. Lol thanks for the vid Ramsey.

[@IccyTheOne]

@Silviu Florin Prometheus isn't an "Alien" movie. It was just fine I liked it alot actually.

[@yomumma7803]

@@IccyTheOne what do you mean?

[@Rich_P_Anya]

Agreed

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

Footwork does setup what techniques you can use, it's what I pay attention to from the opponent the most. I forgot which boxer claimed they watch the other guy's feet more than anything else but that works great for me. I feel you can tell if someone's good at fighting just from how they step

[@Gh0st_0723]

A couple of guys I spar with thought I was a lot better than I really am, I just utilize check hooks. Usually after a lead leg front kick people usually react by either throwing a front kick or just walk forward blindly in a chest puffing manner. I'm not the quickest on my feet but I usually get get good timing on my pivot with a hook. Or a gazelle left hook. Thank you for the content Coach.

[@frosty6297]

I love this guy, his quips make it easier to pay attention for my adhd dass

[@yohan1539]

Holy Christ, three simple movements that will fundamentally change the way I approach sparring sessions. Thanks, coach!

[@andrebaxter4023]

Was looking for good footwork drills to add into my shadowboxing. Had a feeling that you had this treasure uploaded. 👌🏾

[@damon123jones]

Finally I get it the defensive maneuver

[@masterwrong4933]

Ramsey I could help you survive the upcoming zombie apocalypse. Yeah you heard that right. Wanna sign up for classes?

[@FILIPFIXTIGER]

Agree! Great Video!

[@voss456]

This is probably the must helpful thing I’ve learned in my martial arts/fighting journey. This is a great video. Very helpful. Thanks Coach Ramsey!

[@jesusthroughmary]

Awesome to see you back in the gym.

[@Draalnexa]

Up to this day the very mention of the movie Prometheus brings my blood pressure up and makes me miserable.

[@evrettej]

I'm so glad you did this video

[@fedeblas11]

Thanx man, great video.

[@NoName-eq5oy]

one can clearly see that you have been inspired by Jack Dempsey. Your way of movement very much reminds me of him.

[@eclecticcerebro8287]

Dempsey is one of the horsemen of boxing.. a genuine tough as nails mfer.. from what I’ve read, he would chew on pine to strengthen his jaw

[@eddard9442]

@@eclecticcerebro8287 wow!

[@AssMuncher995]

Thx for the tips Ramsey. Now I've got something else to focus on my shadow boxing.

[@jimmccormack8479]

Thank-You! Great Tutorial!

[@masterwrong4933]

Chael sonnen did a video recently discussing the best body types for MMA. What do you think the best body type for street fighting would be? Would be me or me

[@a-blivvy-yus]

I took far longer than I should have taken to realise your name has a second "r" in it.

[@Groteskfull]

@@a-blivvy-yus 😆 Haha, I didn't see that until you mentioned it!

[@AcquiredCents]

'Fat'. Yup. There's people that look fat but can bench over 400 pounds (without even working out!). My biggest mistake was when i was young finding i couldn't move when a guy was on top of me. I was 17 and it was before i learned any bjj, back in 1997. FAST lesson, he wrestled in high school and could take all my punches, we fought and he didn't even try to hit me; it was weird, at the time anyway. I actually thought i was being tough, i had a long way to go, why was I even in that predicament??? That's the question. Ego... And don't regret those hard learned lessons. Let it go....

[@rykehuss3435]

@@AcquiredCents Being fat helps a lot with bench pressing. Shorter range of motion, and lots of mass to stabilize the barbell. There's a reason many powerlifters and strongmen carry considerable amount of fat. It helps with the lifts. There's a reason Julius Maddox is so fat. Its what allows him to get the world record. There's a reason why Lasha Talakhadze is fat. It helps him.

[@alhuzayl6029]

extremely valuable information! Your input is appreciated sir!

[@dsgdsg166]

Glad to see you back in the gem work ard live long

[@mr.le-capibar]

Thanks for the instruction coach. I love when you get into the techniques of stand fighting.

[@Nuetral768]

Absolutely great video! Very well done!!! :)

[@MrKAHutch]

Subscribed! Great video!

[@TopoftheLineTraining]

Thanks!!!

[@perrenchan6600]

Another great technical demonstration video 💪

[@Hung_Gar_Ranger-Ran_Levy]

Good trainer/teacher. 💪

[@mickmoore2938]

Watching from work.. thanks!

[@deivytrajan]

Your educational videos are honestly, one of the best. Easy to follow and very insightful! I loved that you showed common misconception about "good" footwork.

[@alonsogarcia1990]

What a great , practical, and useful video. Ima practice this this week. Thank you

[@shujiling213]

Awesome thank you

[@russellchampman5898]

Brilliant instruction as allways

[@ghandychavez689]

Thank you Ramsey 💯

[@justinroundy9189]

Perfect explanation, love this video and your way of teaching.

[@JGato-ii6ky]

Good stuff You can see me using this stuff in most of my sparing videos.

[@paulmonahawk4921]

Total classic essential!!

[@ryanharvey5256]

The best video you've ever made

[@lionsden4563]

Great video Ramsey.

[@antre_du_retro]

Thanks for breaking it down, it helps a lot. I had a few good guesses on some of these footsteps and their utility but now I know about the steps to the footsteps.

[@CO77INS]

Great video sir, everything you said is 💯% facts.

[@fibulousblack9556]

Thanks Ramsey ,it was really helpful that you showed how it transfers to spar, bag and shadow drill ,I love simple and effective .

[@eduardofonseca8114]

Highly instructive and crystal clear. Won a new subscriber!

[@chrislampkin7896]

Thank you for being so devoted to intelligent and wise ,experienced instruction.

[@marka.arcenas5211]

I like your videos your very realistic thanks

[@DetailingJourney]

Man your voice is addicting like liam neeson

[@siberiantiger1975]

Thx coach 😃🤝

[@Marquinhos1901]

this is gold !

[@FulguroGeek]

Im happy to see that your back in your gym. Sadly im in quebec canada and here gym might not reopen for another 6 months so i bought me some home boxing gym equipement because i like to do shadow but at one point its fun to hit something too lol.

[@davidturner1641]

This is so motivational Thanks so so much. Its been a long week and a long year

[@chemouarichilo1288]

Nice and basic. Thanks

[@51dodoc]

2:22 the way you move coupled with the Prometheus comparison is stoic comedy at his finest!

[@wesleydejong8214]

I only had to watch the first half of this vid to know I should sub. Loving this. We train Kickboxing alongside our TMA training and this looks amazing for training at home.

[@ashraftutla4780]

More videos on footwork for beginners please Coach 🙏🙏

[@Orion797]

Great work coach and pleaseee do more footwork videos, may God bless you

[@jimgeorgiev8105]

Great foot work instructions 🙏 I shadowbox using a string hanging from above. Gives me a target to work with. Going to try these foot work techniques

[@joeithegiggityguy7342]

Ramsey, would you please make a video addressing these same concepts but for an open stance?

[@melaniecat2413]

Thank you.

[@StatedOregon5]

Great content!! I would love to see a video like that about head movement!!

[@pierrebridenne8870]

Thanks from France !

[@obliqueapplications8881]

Aw man, DJ Dewey droppin a new TUNE

[@karatejutsu]

Fantastic, alot of what we have been drilling via online sessions atm

[@musicmusic-kh2ip]

"Put some violence in your violence" fucking deadly

[@yuriysemenikhin302]

I know many people will complain, but the reason I love Aikido so much, is that it takes those to a whole new level, yet so few ever talk about this :-(

[@rambo2093]

Which PrideFC legends would have made it to modern UFC? Who are your fav. Pride FC fighters?

[@hermespino9985]

Nice, back in the gym

[@panchopirata5593]

I love these technique videos, please keep em coming! Would you please do similar videos for southpaws? From footwork to striking... Saludos! 🙏🏻

[@patrickperez6743]

Wow, this channel is incredible, all this valuable information that's presented to us is just amazing. Thank you Ramsey Dewey for your instructional video! P.s. I love this channel👌💯

[@ikrammaududi6205]

Thanks a lot Can you teach some useful body and head movement? I'm having problem with that

[@scrtwpnx]

I do rapier fencing, and I use the step pivot all the time. Love it

[@davidfransena2042]

Another good fundamental skill for fighter, thanks bro hope you always healthy and more blessed by GOD 😄👍

[@1234Daan4321]

I like this. I will try it in sparring soon

[@AdobadoFantastico]

What I love about MMA and its growth is that it's given more value to martial arts as a whole. Wrestling is growing viewership, people thought boxing was dying but that really hasn't been the case. Shit, I think people even watch Sumo more as a small international audience grows. As we figure out MMA as a core science of body mechanics and violence, it shows us fundemantal concepts that allow further understanding in other more specific martial arts. Also, you're a rad coach. You explain footwork so well.

[@Sovvolf]

I practice my footwork with my two year old son. We go outside in our garden. Then I'll tell him if he can catch and hold on to my leg, I'll throw him up in the air and catch him (Which he loves). Now you've got a tenacious toddler chasing you. Gotta keep those legs moving, pivoting and keep out the way. Almost a reverse chase the chicken from Rocky 2.

[@andrewwoods564]

That's genius

[@andrewwoods564]

How long until he gets tired though?

[@Sovvolf]

@@andrewwoods564 Two year olds are just little pockets of energy. They just keep going. You've just got to let them get one every now and again so they don't get bored and wonder off.

[@BajoCLF]

Great.

[@ShadowFai20]

I learned from the best like him from the footwork and technique that means a lot learning from people like him. Been bullied as a kid and if it hasn't been for training that Fighters like him gave me and the experience, I never been so proud of myself to accomplish such things like this thank you for sharing this with a lot of people. Footwork does require a lot of technique and I learned from the best. #thankyou 👍🏾

[@dragonbrown1494]

I think i finally understand the 12-6 elbow rule. It's either physically impractical or a people's elbow.

[@Liefpe]

hey ramsey i got a question for the , im a HEMA practitioner and im trying to apply your teachings for my training ii got 2 questions 1. i would love to lear more armed and unarmed grappling technics i know a few from HEMA but i was considering trying a jujutsu class as if im not mistaking in his original form has some armed grappling (and dagger "finishers") technics but idk if thats true for todays japonese JJ. 2. whats your take on HEMA as a MA and sports since oviously it has no place in the modern world and is taking its first baby steps as a MA sport sorry for my english im not a native speaker, i love your videos, and they have convince me to take more MA classes when the pandemic stops ( and sadly as i live in an apartment is hard for me to train hema so im just doing workout). greetings from chile

[@dace48]

I've done HEMA and Jiu Jitsu and agree that they are very compatible. I can't really add much as Hieu Dinh already covered the majority of it but a couple of points. If you are doing this to improve your own system and become more of a complete martial artist then I cannot recommend it enough, they work well together. If you are mixing these to improve your HEMA skills - then you're no longer doing HEMA, especially when you add in Eastern techniques. I had actually only jumped in on this video because the footwork diagrams in the thumbnail reminded me very much of Fiore Dei Liberi footwork.

[@ArseneGray]

Learn boxing, if you can kickbox. Seriously. Pivoting your body, getting energy out of your heels, throwing your hips forward and following with you punch is the same for striking with sword. I practiced, shaolin kung fu, Aikio, HEMA and kickbox as of late. That same basic principle applies to almost every Strike . (expect aikido, which has a extremely firm stand) If you just use your arms you wont be able to cut shit you know that as a hema practicioner. That is same in Boxing, your jab wont do damage, but your straight punch has almost the same movement as a diagonal X slash.

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

Try to take up some kali/eakrima classes. There are moves that use both armed and unarmed moves. And with your hema and a little judo/jujitsu, youd be a devastating weapons martial artist.

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

I feel one of the key difference to modern fighting and historical fighting is modern fighting protects the head more while historical fighting protects the torso. Historical fighting keeps their hands lower because you need to protect your body from getting attacked by a blade and the body is a bigger target. That's also where the hands naturally rests while holding a weapon and where you draw the weapon from. It's also where your hands are going to be when you're going to seize their weapon. Modern fighting protects the head more because people can end a fight in one or two hits on the button. The footwork adjusts accordingly.

[@deivytrajan]

Just always keep in mind, if you're unarmed and someone takes out a knife - you don't have enough chances to win, even if you're a professional martial artist who trained many years to disarm a knife. It's better to learn to run quickly and not lose your breath - it would be the best way to save your life or from getting mugged.

[@AcquiredCents]

I still train footwork while shadowboxing. Yup. I haven't even boxed in 20 years. It's second nature though, back when we used a string to duck under and rope to circle. I miss it... time flies. Good video man. I didn't see anything wrong. Yes there's some more advanced when people rush ya, you covered that with the sidestep and all people have to do is practice. I can see what kind of fighter most people are right away so try to hide it some... and never use such knowledge to bully people, i was arrogant and learned the hard way. They might even stab you(!) or take what you say n do the wrong way, "you think you're tough?" "No I was just showing what I learned", suddenly you're under fire... That isn't a topic to discuss while 'drinking with friends'. Don't... I have some funny stories. Don't. And stay away from losers like that to begin with.

[@Best-combat-system]

Great content Ramsey .. I like the way for the blind side .. we apply similar footwork in Wingchun but keeping the weight 100% on the back foot. Makes us less woundable for sweeps and our head is therefore further away from the opponent and his weapons ! But for sure we are more woundable against take-downs and that’s why we have to be prepared to a sprawl but don’t go all the way to the ground unless it’s in a combat fight. On the street I don’t want to end up at ground ! 👍🙏🏻 but as we both know .. between combat sports and self defense there are here and there different rules !

[@snatchX626]

great video. can you make one where you teach some judo throws? that o-goshi looked really slick.

[@wacki_cjk]

Doin this on the mat and heavy bag tomorrow after a solid 15 min jumprope. I’ve decided to finally conquer and tap into the boxer’s love for jump rope. All the best punchers ever jump rope there must be something to it. Progress every day in all things MMA.

[@derbyharrington16]

Got it!

[@marcgoulet1967]

thanks

[@ProfesserLuigi]

God bless you for the Prometheus reference.