The slide step is a great way to cover distance, either as a forward move or as a retreating move. The direction for a slide step is always an angle (vs a cardinal direction) relative to the opponent. That is, if you are going forward, it’s not directly straight – it’s more of a 30 – 45° angle.
From a right N stance, the forward slide step consists of the following transition:
- Left foot comes up to the right foot, into a high H stance
- Right foot step out further into a new N stance
During these transitions, it’s important to keep the head level. Avoid the temptation of straightening the legs when transitioning into the H stance and changing your perceived height.
From the stance drill, your slide step forward will look like the following:
The first version of any step in our stance drill starts from the right N stance.
1: Left foot moves forward (next to right) into a high H stance
2. Right foot steps further forward creating a new right N stance
3. To return, the right foot moves back to the left foot, creating a high H stance
4. The left foot then steps back to its original starting position, recreating the original right N stance
Then, to get ready for the next iteration, the right foot moves back to join the left foot, so that the left side for the step can be completed.
Want to review the retreating slide step? Click here…