**Footwork**

So real life focus has bled over this week.  One of the biggest foundation of any form of fighting/martial arts boils down to footwork. Over the next few weeks we'll have an assortment of things to show you, from those who have mastered this Art within Art to how to work on things on your own.  We say it every week, but again. Take Notes. ;)

**The Masters**

Let's start from the beginning [or close too]. 1938 to 1950 this man known as "Sugar" Ray Robinson had over 114 fights and was UNDEFEATED.  This little 135/145lber was known for having knock out power in both hands, ended fights faster than than was believed possible.   All because he knew how to use his feet.  Each blow had maximum impact, and his movements in and out of striking range we're smooth and sweet like...you guessed it, 'sugar'.   This was the man to spawn some of the greatest.  Take a little peak at some of his work.





So how did 'Sugar' impact America? Well 1960 the world glimpsed magic in Rome as a light heavy weight over 200 pounds, moved lighter than almost any feather weight we have ever seen.  The Olympic Gold was easily and quickly placed around his neck, when got the chance to stand in front of a camera he lite up.  I'll let him show you the latest craze, coined, the "Ali Shuffle".

The Famous Ali Shuffle!
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So now you've witnessed Ali naming the shuffle, next we'll see the fight it originated in, and Ali referenced earlier.  Experts, critics if you will say this was Ali's best fight, his peak.  The Champ in reflection, had no argument.  You'll get to see ballet in motion and come to understand the power afforded to those with excellent footwork.  Below we break down all the different elements twinkle toes gave Ali round by round.


Footwork 101 in Ali vs Williams

***Round 1] Power~  The first point is obvious, power comes from the torso.  The whipping action if you will, and what do you plant to twist?  Baseball, Tennis, Golf and boxing no different your feet. This is evident the whole match, really plays part in the later er um...the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
***Mobility~  Gives you a few things.  A] 'Evasion': You can't hurt what you can't hit.  The mobility allows Ali to take less to little damage.  He is simply to hard to hit. B] 'Control over the striking distance'.  He dictates when the engagement happens.  Moves in to hit, moves out to evade.  Complete control. "Ding" End Round One.
***Round 2:    Rhythm ~ Where you don't want Ali to be.  Timing on the other boxer becomes obvious.  A rhythm means he's getting comfortable, confident, accurate.  Look for Ali to slap his gloves together. Bad sign.  Combiations usually follow. Worse sign. You not hearing the bell because you on your ass. Oh Sh*t sign. End Round Two, barely.
***Round 3]  Angles~ Notice Ali hardly every fought you squared (meaning the shoulders) up.  If he did by then you were already wobbley.  By moving he created angles.  He'd hit you with a jab still moving, hit you with the second jab, now you're NOT moving and he takes one more step now he's at your side already having the right hand on the way to your jaw.  If you were in real bad shape you've been hit 5 times before you can start to try to back out of the way... just get good feet already. End Round 3.


If 'Sugar' Robinson was Sinatra with smooth silky feet and Ali was James Brown full of rhythm and flare then Sugar Ray Leonard was Michael Jackson.  He came later in the game, but feet were his trademark none the less.  Where the others were smooth he was crisp, the others were natural he was clever.  Taking advice from the Master Ali, and fashioning his own style after the original 'Sugar'.  Though quicker than his predecessors, but lacking the stamina Robinson and Ali had, he became very tactile in his movements and energy.  When Sugar exploded, he still kept his technique and is magic to watch go to work.  Below, He is calm in the beginning but after landing the double jab, someone must have pressed play on the his internal ipod, the soundtrack started.  The feet take on a life of their own, in the later rounds when both fighters are battling fatigue, he's still light enough to move, stick, move and do what he does best...next to dancing that is, throw combinations...