4 types of stepping in Bagua Zhang

Xu Shixi teaches the 4 most common types of stepping in Bagua Zhang. The first is normal step, which is the way we walk. This is used at beginner stages, and also at advanced stages. The second is the Stealing Step, when we slide at the end of the step to gain an extra foot or two to be nearer the opponent. This is trained so we can slide in during combat. The third is Hook and Pull step, where one imagines one foot as hooked to the other and has to pull hard to move forward. This is commonly referred to as Mud Walking, as if one were stuck in knee high mud and had to struggle to wade through. This builds the leg muscles for tripping and takedowns. The fourth step is Stomp and Step, where the foot first stomps with the heel and then steps down with the toes and ball of the foot. This develops strong kicking power. Xu Shixi（徐世熙), born in 1942, lives in Beijing and teaches Wushu in at the Temple of Heaven. He learnt Chen style Taijiquan from Chen Zhaokui （陈昭奎), son of Chen Fake, and Yin style Bagua from Zhang Qinglian, student of Li Baosen, student of Yin Fu, senior student of Dong Haichuan.