# The Challenge of Teaching Footwork to Kids

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2015/11/19/blog-the-challenge-of-teaching-footwork-to-kids/
- Published: 2015-11-19T10:54:00-05:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## The biggest challenge in teaching kids is 󠀁[footwork](https://brianejohns.com/2020/02/03/blog-footwork/)󠁿.

Good footwork is crucial to self-defence and particularly so for Filipino Martial
Arts. Want to avoid getting hit, slashed or stabbed? Move your feet.

At the most basic level, one should be able to step up at a 45-degree angle.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/06/One-Step-Pattern-
1024x819.png?resize=1024%2C819&ssl=1)

One step footwork: one step in each direction.

Yet, as in the above picture, many kids step sideways instead of 45 degrees. As 
a result, they are not in the optimal range to execute their technique.

Hence, I’ve been heavily emphasizing this [basic footwork pattern](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/06/blog-get-a-move-on-footwork/)
in class and am pondering different drills.

I have taught the basic one-step footwork more or less in the following progression:

## (1) Basic V pattern footwork as illustrated in the below video.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/XGiQ3ZwYidg).

I have done this drill with nearly [every child in the class](https://brianejohns.com//2015/07/20/blog-how-i-teach-filipino-martial-arts-to-children/).
The odd thing is that once I remove the sticks, they revert to stepping sideways
instead of up at a 45-degree angle.

This requires some problem-solving. I’m considering using small orange cones or 
something similar to drill this in. I don’t want the kids tripping over sticks on
the floor. I may look into Bluetooth speakers at the local computer store to add
music to the footwork drills and make it fun for them.

Granted, many of my students are in the 5 to 8-year-old range, and it will take 
time for them to get the hang of this. I just have to get creative in getting the
importance of footwork across to them.

## (2) Brace Block against Angles of Attack

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/7ldqE8vwUOU).

As seen in the video, I will have kids practice their brace block against the angles
of attack and make sure they step up at a 45-degree angle _away_ from the attack.
Sometimes, they still step a bit to the side more than I would like.

I know that this will take time. Many need constant reminders to move their feet.
It’s my job to remind them to keep moving their feet. I’ll be looking for fun ways
to communicate this message to them. As noted above, I will experiment with ways
to drill this without it being too rote.

The bottom line, I find that teaching good footwork is the biggest challenge in 
teaching kids. What more important skill is there than footwork?

## Over to you, what basic footwork drills do you teach? Let’s hear them!

## Additional Reading

 * [5 Reasons to Challenge Yourself](https://brianejohns.com/2022/08/03/blog-5-reasons-to-challenge-yourself/)
 * [Two Killer Check Hand Drills](https://brianejohns.com/2021/10/25/blog-two-killer-check-hand-drills/)
 * [Video of the Week 2: Footwork](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/04/video-of-the-week-2-footwork/)
 * [Footwork](https://brianejohns.com/2020/02/03/blog-footwork/)
 * [Video of the Week 8: Single Sinawali Pattern](https://brianejohns.com/2024/04/15/video-of-the-week-8-single-sinawali-pattern/)

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