| When we begin taking martial arts instruction,we are | | | | Some arts use only circular motion to redirect their |
| taking for granted that the person teaching us is | | | | opponents energy and use that to their advantage. |
| showing everything we need to know about the art | | | | This redirection of energy allows someone much |
| we are studying. In most cases that is not true. Your | | | | smaller to throw or take down someone much bigger |
| instructor will tell you stand this way step that way | | | | in size. Boxing uses circling footwork with straight or |
| act. What he is not telling you is the actual basis of | | | | round motion strikes. |
| what you are doing. | | | | No matter what your martial art of choice is you are |
| The basic lines of movement of most martial arts are | | | | using some if not all of these principles. There are |
| the same. The lines of movement that are basic to | | | | many books out there,but not many go into detail |
| most martial arts are: | | | | about why you step here or move this way or that |
| Straight Lines | | | | way.The next time your instructor shows you a |
| Angles | | | | technique,ask about the lines of movement involved |
| Circles | | | | see if he/she can explain it to you. If they can't, |
| Straight line arts like Karate deal with aggression head | | | | don't worry most of us were trained to just step |
| on,moving from center ,right,left or forward or | | | | this way ,step that way while learning techniques. |
| backward. | | | | Start studying the techniques you are learning and |
| Arts like Kung Fu use all three principles ,using straight | | | | see if you can tell if you are stepping on a straight |
| lines,angles and circles in combination depending on | | | | line,angle or moving in a circular motion.Once you can |
| whats happening.There are some straight line Chinese | | | | recognize these basics,your techniques will improve |
| martial arts such as Wing Chun that stay in front of | | | | very much. |
| an opponent to trap and strike in straight lines. | | | | |