In this section we are only speaking of the mechanics of bringing your feet together while stick-fighting or handling other weapons. This is frowned upon by most unarmed fighting forms, and rightfully so, as it denies leverage. But, when fighting with weapons, item number one is denying target access and number two is accessing targets. The execution and use of triangle steps has been discussed. So, before delving more into combination strokes I would like to stop and make sure we are on firm footing where the point of departure for a triangle step is concerned.
First, when bringing your feet together, if your triangle has been made by the opponent you may easily abort via a shuffle step instead of turning the corner and completing the triangle.
In executing a forward or reverse triangle you can get caught up on your own feet or stall for lack spring in the final step.
Below are the most practical foot positions for the point of a triangle step, as expressed according to the footwear being worn, with each concurrent step more dynamic. In case of an ankle or foot injury you may wish to modify your approach accordingly to the less dynamic form.
The mechanics are explained as reverse or female triangle steps, as these are much more useful than male or forward triangle steps. However, the foot position at the point is the same.
1. In Boots or with Injured Ankle
Bring the lead foot back flat to the base foot, clicking your heels together in a flat-footed stepping motion, with your toes pointing out as the base of a triangle. This will not be as nimble or explosive, but will be more sure and suited for group fights, survival situations, broken terrain, longer weapons and most of all if wearing boots.
2. Sneakers or with Strained Ankle
Slide your lead foot back onto the balls of the foot, as if it is set in a sprinter’s starting block. The ball of the retracting foot should plant against the base of the heel of the base foot. This enables a lunging step with the base foot as soon as the retracting foot is in position to push off.
The instep of the retracting foot, just behind the ball of the big toe, should touch the Achilles portion of the heel of the base foot with the raised heel of the retracting foot behind the heel of the base foot, which is now read to lunge.
3. Bare Feet, Uninjured
Slide the lead foot back to the base foot so that the ball of the flexed foot is couched in the hollow of the instep of the base foot.
The heel of the retracted, flexed foot is raised against the inside of the ankle, with the heel couched behind the ankle bone and in front of the Achilles tendon of the base foot.
Practice standing like this for periods while warming up with your stick. This launch point is a way of making your base foot into a sprinter’s block and making for as solid a base as can be had with your feet together and your launching foot already chambered.
These foot placement sequences can be practiced in many every day settings, especially if you are already an outcast and don’t mind the hoodrats at the bust stop yammering, “Yo, Psycho Sanna Claus be off da chain.”
