JKD: Free Video Lesson #6...Kicks You MUST Know!
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Standard Retreating Step·Xtreme Training Academy
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Standard Retreating Step
Genusスタンダードバックステップ(Sutandādo Bakku Suteppu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard retreating step
Overview
The Standard Retreating Step moves the rear foot backward first, followed by the lead foot, maintaining the fighter's stance width and balance throughout the backward movement. [1] The step must be long enough to exit the opponent's range but controlled enough to maintain balance for an immediate counter-attack or defensive adjustment. [1],[2] The standard retreating step keeps the fighter's guard up and shoulders squared, ready to block or counter as they move backward. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard retreating step is the baseline backward defensive movement. [1]
Lineage
A fundamental striking defence. [1]
Competition Record
Used in all combat sports. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intercepting an incoming strike using a rigid arm, forearm, or shin structure to absorb or redirect force
Joints Involved — Forearm and elbow (primary blocking surface), shoulder (positioning), core (absorbing residual force)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the incoming strike — meeting the attack at an angle dissipates force across the blocking surface
Defensive Mechanic — Hard blocks absorb impact directly; soft blocks redirect the strike's trajectory away from the target
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Maintain guard position, raise the forearm or shin to intercept the incoming strike before it reaches the target
As reactive defence — When the attack is detected, move the blocking limb into the strike's path to absorb or deflect the force
Variants
High block — forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead strikes
Low block — forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes
Cross block — forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side
Double forearm block — both forearms together for maximum coverage
Videos
MUST KNOW Self-Defense From Jab Cross
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Standard Retreating Step·Sifu Nate
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What Instructors Say
The standard retreating step is a foundational footwork element used to create and maintain distance during defense. Xtreme Training Academy emphasizes the retreating step as part of a structured progression beginning with proper base and stance, progressing through fundamental movements like the step-slide and push-shuffle before introducing kicks. The step occurs when weight transfers to the front leg during techniques like the oblique kick or push kick, with the rear leg raising to deliver force while the body leans back—this backward lean is critical for both power generation and distance management. Sifu Nate's instruction on jab-cross defense adds depth to the footwork component, demonstrating how the retreating step integrates with head movement and weight distribution. He describes shifting weight forward-and-back and left-and-right between feet while slipping strikes, keeping movements small and controlled to maintain balance. Both instructors agree that the retreating step prevents overcommitment and allows the defender to stay within their own balance while evading incoming attacks. Xtreme Training Academy illustrates the technique's practical application in stopping an opponent's forward progress during kicks, while Sifu Nate shows how the footwork supports simultaneous hand defenses and enables countering opportunities.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Xtreme Training Academy — JKD: Free Video Lesson #6...Kicks You MUST Know!: Demonstrates the retreating step as weight transfer to front leg during distance-management kicks (oblique, push, thigh kicks); emphasizes leaning torso back while raising rear leg to control opponent's forward progress and maintain balance.
- Sifu Nate — MUST KNOW Self-Defense From Jab Cross: Describes footwork mechanics of the retreating step in defensive context: weight shifts forward-back and left-right between feet during head slips; stresses small, controlled movements to maintain balance while avoiding overcommitment when evading straight punches.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
Evasion techniques avoid contact entirely; lowest injury risk of all techniques
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓From fighting stance, push off the ball of the lead foot
✓Step the rear foot directly back approximately 6-12 inches
✓Slide the lead foot back to maintain your original stance width
✓Your guard stays up throughout — hands at chin level, elbows protecting the body
✓After the retreating step, you're in position to: continue retreating, fire a counter jab, pivot to a new angle, or stop and attack
✓The step should be quick and light — heavy stomping telegraphs the retreat
✓Drill the retreating step against a partner walking forward with jabs — step back, jab, step back, jab
Common Mistakes
!Moving the lead foot first (instead of rear foot first) — this narrows your stance dangerously
!Taking too large a step — 6-12 inches is sufficient; larger steps break balance
!Not sliding the lead foot to match — you end up in an overly wide or narrow stance
!Flat-footed steps — push off the ball of the foot for quick, light movement
!Leaning forward while stepping back — maintain upright posture
!Not re-establishing guard position after the step — hands must return to chin level immediately
!Retreating without any offensive component — at minimum, jab while retreating to deter the opponent's advance
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [3] Fighter's Fact Book (Christensen, 2000)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [3] Fighter's Fact Book (Christensen, 2000)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm conditioning, reaction speed, structural stability
Favours
dense bone structure, strong forearms
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, deltoids, biceps, core (absorbing impact)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct foot positioning when executing a retreating step?
According to Xtreme Training Academy, avoid pivoting on the ball of your front foot as this creates poor balance and power. Instead, preload by turning your front foot 90 degrees and creating tension between your heel to your knee to your hip.
How should I position my upper body during a retreating step?
Xtreme Training Academy emphasizes leaning your torso back as you push, rather than just pushing forward. This allows you to target multiple areas including the front quad, hip, or solar plexus while maintaining defensive position.
How does the Standard Retreating Step work?
The Standard Retreating Step moves the rear foot backward first, followed by the lead foot, maintaining the fighter's stance width and balance throughout the backward movement. The step must be long enough to exit the opponent's range but controlled enough to maintain balance for an immediate counter-attack or defensive adjustment.
Where does the Standard Retreating Step come from?
The standard retreating step has been the basic backward defensive movement in boxing and kickboxing since these sports were formally taught. It is the first defensive footwork technique taught to beginners across all striking martial arts.
Is the Standard Retreating Step legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Retreating Step?
Danger rating 1/10. Low — evasion techniques avoid contact entirely; lowest injury risk of all techniques
How do I set up the Standard Retreating Step?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Standard Retreating Step?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Standard Retreating Step?
Common variants: High block (forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead…); Low block (forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes); Cross block (forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side); Double forearm block (both forearms together for maximum coverage).
How effective is the Standard Retreating Step in competition?
Used in all combat sports.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Retreating Step?
Top errors to watch for: Moving the lead foot first (instead of rear foot first) — this narrows your stance dangerously / Taking too large a step — 6-12 inches is sufficient; larger steps break balance / Not sliding the lead foot to match — you end up in an overly wide or narrow stance / Flat-footed steps — push off the ball of the foot for quick, light movement.
What are other names for the Standard Retreating Step?
The Standard Retreating Step is also known as Sutandādo Bakku Suteppu, Step-Back Retreat, Backward Step, Fading Step.