## Footwork (5)

Taisabaki is the footwork used to attack and defend, but it is more ‘than just using your feet only’. The power for striking also comes from the hips. We have 5 kinds of footwork with 9 forms in total:

1. Okuri-ashi
   1. Okuri-ashi Mai (pushing yourself forward)
   2. Okuri-ashi Ato (pushing yourself backward)
2. Tsugi-ashi
   1. Tsugi-ashi Mai (‘jumping’ forward)
   2. Tsugi-ashi Ato (‘jumping’ backward)
3. Ayumi-ashi
   1. Ayumi-ashi Mai (4 cross steps forward)
   2. Ayumi-ashi Ato (4 cross steps backward)
4. Hiraki-ashi
   1. Migi-ni-hirake (step to the right)
   2. Hidari-ni-hirake (step to the left)
5. Fumikae-ashi (changing direction 180°)