FOOTWORK
by Barry Terrell
Footwork is very important to a Wing Chun practitioner, The more proficient you are with your footwork, the less you have to train your weapons to block, parry, kick, or punch. Footwork allows you to cover distance quickly and safely, escaping out of a tight corner and to save your strength to counter with more power in your attack.
If you are slow on your feet, you will also be slow with your hands. Good footwork will defeat any kick or punch.
A moving object or target is definitely more difficult to hit or strike than a stationary one. The best place for your feet is where you can advance rapidly in any direction. You need to be well balanced to withstand strikes from any angle. The feet must always be directly under your body, or you will have no balance. Crossing your feet in motion is a bad habit, as it tends to unbalance you, and opens the groin area, You should try for distance by keeping your feet as level as possible when stepping in any direction. Your knees should always be bent slightly so that the powerful adductor muscles of the legs are being used. You should always try to conceal your intentions from your opponent.
SHIFTING:
While shifting to the left turn your left foot to the left, while at the same time
shifting the weight to the right leg, effectively sitting in your stance. This is the same
procedure for shifting to the right. Make sure your feet stay flat on the floor, shifting
one foot at a time.
ADVANCING:
Begin the advancing movement by assuming a left, or right stance (see shifting) keeping
your hands chambered or in a man-sau wu-sau configuration take a step forward with your
lead leg and follow by pulling the rear leg up into proper position once more.