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