STEPPING WHILE FIGHTING (SHINTAI)

Proper combative stepping is the second most important part of Judo. But, yet again, it is nothing particularly to practice. Just again be aware of it while fighting and training. The main principle is that if you jab forward to attack with your front foot, it is much faster than jabbing forward with your back foot.

Normal walking (ayumi ashi) is bad for fighting in Judo.  As in all other combat sports, a combative stepping is used.  Common to all combat sports is the principle that the back leg should only infrequently cross over in front of the front leg.  When the back leg crosses in front, the stance becomes weak while the legs are close together.  To keep the stance always strong while moving, the back foot is never allowed to cross in front of the front foot.  The strongest method of stepping, leaving you the most balanced and stable at all times during the step is to move forward the FRONT FOOT FIRST, followed by the back foot.  When stepping backwards, the procedure is reversed, with the back foot stepping backwards first, followed by the front foot.   In Judo, the feet are preferably SLID across the floor to maintain stability.  Ideally, the head should not bob up and down at all.

Judo combat stepping is called tsugi ashi, literally "STABBING STEPPING".  When practicing alone or with a partner, stepping into position to throw is one of the best training methods for speed and effectiveness. 

COMBAT STEPPING

This is one of the best solo exercises for judo beginners to get familiar with the kind of steps needed for throws:

From your natural stance, pretend you are winding in for a throw. Step forward and across with your right foot, then turn your body as you bring your left foot up to get in line with it. You are now facing in the opposite direction from where you were facing at the start. Add arm movements for throws in with this footwork. Repeat over and over again for speed and balance. 

BREAKFALLS

Rolling and learning to fall properly are not only important for comfort and safety while training, but also improve your awareness of your surroundings and balance while fighting. There is a lot of rolling and spinning in judo. Rolling and breakfalling are absolutely necessary things to train. The basics are forward and backwards rolls, always coming back up balanced to your feet. After mastering these, you should add in handstands with your rolls, and breakfalls in all directions. Please learn these under the watchful eye of an experienced black belt coach, and do them on mats. Rolling, like combat stepping, is an excellent solo exercise that will improve your judo.