by Tiger McKee "In virtually every competitive physical discipline," Josh Waitzkin tells us in The Art Of Learning, "if you are a master of reading and manipulating footwork, then you are a force to be reckoned with." For fighting, footwork and stability are essential to success. There are two areas to focus on when it comes to footwork. Obviously you have to maintaining good balance and the ability to move smoothly. But, you also need to pay attention to your opponent's feet. According to Navarro, in What Every Body Is Saying, the feet are the most expressive part of the body. Most of the time people will reposition their feet, preparing for movement without even consciously being aware of it. You're having a casual conversation with someone and their left foot repositions towards the door or exit. In their mind they are ready for the conversation to end. The same principle applies to potential threats. They are facing another direction, but you see a foot reposition, pointing towards you. They are thinking about moving in your direction. A subtle change in their walking pattern means they're about to change directions. A weight shift to the balls of their feet? They're making ready for a sudden movement. Watching the feet tells us a lot about what the threat is thinking. Balance, the result of proper footwork, is essential for you to fight effectively. At the first sign of possible trouble your response should be movement, creating distance, moving to cover or a better location. This also puts the threat into a decision making cycle. Movement occurs in the feet and legs, holding a smooth steady platform from the waist and up. To move right the right leg initiates the action, then the left legs shifts, resetting for the proper stance. One step always involves moving both feet, otherwise you end up in an unbalanced stance. Left leg first for moving left. To move back start with the rear leg, usually the right leg for right hand shooters. Bend the knees so the legs keep the torso stable. Two short, quick steps are better than one wide, long step. Small steps allow you maintain balance and change directions more effectively. When you stop moving you should be end up in a stable stance. It may be necessary to shoot while moving. The ability to shoot accurately while moving is only gained through practice; the best way to practice is dry, spending more time on movement and learning proper footwork than shooting. Once you can move smoothly it's easy to apply the fundamentals of marksmanship - aim, hold, press, and follow through - to score accurate hits. Bruce Lee states in the Tao Of Jeet Kune Do: "Moving is used as a means of defense, a means of deception, a means of securing proper distance for attack and a means of conserving energy. The essence of fighting is the art of moving." Every day contains numerous opportunities to practice this. Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of "The Book of Two Guns," writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk's DVD, "Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html Website: www.shootrite.org http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts