Lateral step / never cross
Movement / Solo mat / Foundation
A step to the side, lead foot out and rear foot across, the feet widening and then closing back to width.
Solo study. Solo rehearsal of a shape a coach has already shown you. No partner, no resistance, no finish against anyone. Not coach-verified.
Why it matters
Angles come from lateral movement, and lateral movement is where feet cross. A crossed stance cannot sprawl and cannot shoot. This study is the side step done slowly enough to see that the feet widen and close rather than pass each other.
The phases
Wrestling stance
- Base. Begin with a base wide enough to move from.
- Knees flexed. Flex the knees and hips while keeping the head up.
- Hands ready. Hands stay ahead of the body, ready to make contact.
- Hold shape. Maintain a shape you can move from in either direction.
Watch for: Do not turn a lower stance into looking down at the mat.
Lateral step
- Stance. Start in the stance facing the centre.
- Lead foot out. Step the lead foot out to the side and keep the hips level.
- Rear foot follows. Bring the rear foot across by the same distance.
- Base restored. Finish in the stance you started in, moved over, never crossed.
Watch for: The feet widen for a moment and then close back to width. They never cross.
Three common faults
- Crossing
- The rear foot passes in front of or behind the lead. Out, then across; never past.
- Bouncing
- The hips rise and fall with each step. Level hips, quiet head.
- Leaning
- The shoulders tip toward the direction of travel and the weight leaves the rear foot. The trunk stays over the base.
In the room
- Step out with the lead foot; keep the hips level.
- Bring the rear foot across the same distance.
- The feet widen for a moment. They never cross.
Drill prescription
| Rounds | 4 rounds |
|---|---|
| Repetitions | 8 steps each way |
| Rest | 30 s |
Use the mirror option to rehearse the other side.
Open the visual study ↗Where it sits
Foundations: The base, the level change and the four ways the feet move. Everything else stands on this.
Also in this stage: Stance / base check, Level change / reset, Stance / circle movement, Square stance / hold.
On the boards: Four directions, Four weeks: foundations.