Improved footwork comes with the right kung fu shoes, martial arts footwear and equipment and most of all instruction.

Getting used to martial arts training is unlike most other sports. You will be using your body in ways you never have before and you will definitely feel it the next day after a session in the dojo. Fighting techniques require that you develop the reflexes of a cat. One of the most important aspects of this is footwork. Where you put your feet will be where the rest of your body generally follows and impact upon how much power you bring in to your kicks and strikes. Good positioning can be the difference between success and failure on the tatami mat or in the ring. Balance and poise develop naturally as you become lighter on your toes.

How do we improve our footwork, whether bare foot, in martial arts shoes or kung fu shoes, in order to improve our all round game when it comes to our individual discipline? Practise and more practise is the all too obvious answer we have to build in to our bodies that automatic knowledge of where to put our feet and our weight. I’ve written some guidelines on immediate action you can take to begin to develop your footwork.

Here are 5 ways to immediately improve your footwork:

1. Shadow or mirror boxing- train like boxers do and watch yourself as you spar against you own image. Try and observe weak points in your movement and stance.
2. Skipping – the classic rope exercise is a foundational exercise you shouldn’t leave out of your schedule. It builds reaction time, footwork, self assurance and balance.
3. Use rope work – tie a rope about two feet long between your ankles when training. The goal is to reach a point where you can move without the rope becoming tight or strained. It shouldn’t ever become this way – aim for looseness and a bit of slack. This is a superb training technique but will at first seem difficult but it is worth persevering with. For extra challenge and stimulus, you can gradually shorten the rope in small
4. Cardiovascular fitness – Work to increase your heart rate and sweat rate – but don’t over-do it. An all round strong heart is the king of all strategies and has numerous knock on effects in your training and life in general.
5. Stretching and flexibility– if you don’t already, do a quick warm-up and then practise stretching your muscles with precise movements. There are plenty of on-line guides to stretching and muscle contraction. Signing up for a yoga class is a good idea for personal instruction and long term benefits.