Cross-stepping: power and pitfall
Introduction Like any transition in martial arts, the cross step ("kosa dachi" in Japanese) has its uses - sometimes very powerful ones. It also comes with significant, inherent weaknesses. On the latter subject, let me quote from the fantastic MMA writer Jack Slack in his recent article concerning Machida's " triangle kick " knockout of CB Dollaway:
In karate there is the idea of kyo , something I was writing about at length this week, but actually abandoned in order to publish my Karate's Holy Trinity . Kyo is a moment of weakness in an opponent. When he is recovering from an attack, when he hesitates between techniques or mid combination, when he is breathing in or recovering his guard. A cross step (kosa dachi) is such a kyo . Let me explain why. Weakness #1: extra time and telegraphing First, it is important to understand that the cross step is really a species of "tsugi ashi" - where one leg skips up to the other (or cro...