Yes, yet one of the most underrated ways of using footwork, by ignorant martial artists, is Shaolin footwork. Its ability to have solid (immovable) structure, and yet and incredible amount of speed available is unparalleled. The stances aren't used as stationary (ignorant misconception), but rather as flowing. The moment somebody moves close to attack, or tries to take advantage of the stance's weakness you flow into another one to either direct-counter attack or evasion. They proved firm rooting, and great stability and power for punches and kicks. By simply looking at them, this cannot be understood, you would have to see someone with vast Shaolin experience to show you.

Could you maybe explain what Shaolin footwork is? Or if you don't want to do that maybe give me some instructional links?

Thnx
ribbs

Or not? :

yeah I'd like linkage to what you're talking about, but for now the JKD footwork suffices for the direction I'm headed.

alright i'll admit that footwork is fairly important but the fact is that it isn't the most important thing in a fight, namely because no matter how good you are at least one point in any fight you engage in, your footwork will not always be perfect or good and you will have to improvise because you are either in a bad position or are off balance so therefore it isn't really the most important factor

But with good enough footwork you can aviod being off balance.

Footwork is in my opinion the most important. Like Chen said, it dictates everything in a fight.

loneswordsman,

While you were trying to disagree you completely contradicted yourself.

[QUOTE]your footwork will not always be perfect or good and you will have to improvise because you are either in a bad position or are off balance [/QUOTE]

So from this quote above i take it you feel that a person with "perfect" footwork would not be left in a bad position or off balance? Do you see where you have contradicted yourself?

People spend years learning and trying to perfect techniques, rhythm, timing and distancing. If they don't learn good footwork they will be hard pressed to put them all together into a fluid, cohesive form.

I must definitely agree with footwork being one of the most important things in a fighters arsenal. Believe me it usually saves my butt or help dominate. I am 5'8" and around 160lbs. but most of the guys in the gyms I've worked out at are usually around 6'0" + 200lbs+ and my footwork usually helps me actually if not help me out actually gets my offensive and defensive in such a flow that I end up giving these bigger guys a real tough time.

laf, how is that contradicting myself? sure good footwork is nice but you can't always have perfect footwork, you will mess up one time or another and you will have to improvise with some action to save yourself. honestly i don't see how that is contradicting what i said

i'll admit a person with absolutely no footwork is going to be a wreck and it is a big factor but it isn't the most important cause you can just stand straight and beat the hell out of someone coming at you without using your legs. footwork is only a basis, the rest you have to figure on ur own