While perusing various videos on The Modern Martial Artist YouTube channel, I came across this fascinating video and loved the footwork analysis!

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

Quick background: Willie Pep is considered, pound for pound, among the top 5 boxers in all of boxing history. See this list where he is the 3rd greatest boxer of all time. According to Wikipedia, he boxed 1,956 rounds in 241 bouts of his professional fighting career. Amazing. What’s more astounding is that he participated in 65 matches in his two-year amateur career. That’s over 300 fights in his amateur and professional careers combined.

The footwork analyzed by the above video is similar to the “one step footwork” of Modern Arnis. Other FMAs would call this the “female triangle footwork.” I took the below photos for a past post.

I stand in the starting position at the apex of the V.
(A) Starting Position
I step to the left with my left foot. This is called the one step footwork.
(B) Stepping to the left.
In this picture, I return to the neutral position. This is the same position as the first picture.
(C) Back to the original position
I then step to the right with my right foot at a 45º angle.
(D) Stepping to the right.
And then I return to the first position.
(E) And back to the beginning

When teaching the one-step footwork (our terminology), I instruct the student to start in a neutral stance (picture A). Then I tell the student to step either to the right or left with one step and then back to the original position (again, picture A). Very easy.

See how remarkably similar Pep’s footwork is to the Modern Arnis one-step footwork or what others call the “female triangle?” In watching the entire video posted at the beginning of this post, it is evident that his footwork was quite fluid and made fools of his opponents. As a result, he could switch from a southpaw stance to the orthodox position in a split second. Beautiful to watch.

In most cases, when playing against an equally skilled and equally sized player, one might get away with poor footwork.

You need superior footwork to deal with the younger, bigger, and stronger players.

For example, one must move to create angles, like Pep, when dealing with a player like Master of Tapi Tapi Chuck Gauss. Not only is he big but he is also operating at an extremely high skill level. Try poor footwork against Master Chuck, and I guarantee you will be crushed. The below video does not do justice to his size, speed, timing, and skill level.

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

While my students do not possess Master Chuck’s skill level, many are bigger and stronger than me. My god, I’ve got some strong bulls among them. When we train, I often ask them to muscle me around and force me to develop counters to their strength-based moves.

It’s a fun challenge! Through experimentation, I’ve learned a few things. First, apply Master Chuck’s well-known quote: “When in doubt, hit!” Second, create angles through footwork. If you’re in a superior position to your opponent, you’re in good shape. Excellent positioning can negate the bigger opponent’s strength. Thirdly, don’t let them get into a position to push you or muscle you around. For example, I’m in trouble if they are at a 45° angle relative to me. Consequently, I’ve got to move to take that angle away from them.

I tell my students that there is nothing necessarily wrong with muscle. At the same time, I make them aware of the downsides of relying on being a bull.

I’ve experimented with footwork over the years, especially against the bigger and stronger players. This is why the video of Willie Pep caught my eye.

While there may be some differences between boxing and FMAs, his footwork can apply, especially if you know how to play sticks with either hand.

Whether joint locks, sinawali boxing, or stick play, I always aim to position myself at a 45° angle relative to my training partner or opponent. If I can do this, I’ll be in great shape. I cannot afford to stand square in front of someone like Master Chuck, or he’ll run over me.

I am struggling in one respect, however. My right hip has been cranky for the past year or so. Hip replacement has been mentioned. Yikes. As a result, my mobility has been impacted. I don’t angle off as well as I did in the past. Some days are better than others. On the good days, I can move relatively well. Eh, that’s what you get for being in martial arts for 37 years!

Use footwork to create angles on your opponent or change hands, especially if you are playing against someone bigger, stronger, and younger than you. Superior footwork allows you to stack space and time in your favour. You gain space and time against one who is out of position. How cool is that?

Over to you, how often do you practice your footwork? Please post your comments!

Additional Reading