Scythe Footwork
Scythe Footwork starts simple. Think like boxing: small steps, grounded balance, no bouncing, no fancy tricks. You learn to move your feet first—then you add the blade.
Why Scythe Footwork Feels Familiar
If you’ve done boxing or any striking art, the basics of Scythe Footwork will feel familiar. We keep it simple on purpose:
- you stay grounded, not jumping around
- you move in small steps, not big lunges
- you keep your stance shape as you move
- you always know which foot is leading
The only difference is: you’re holding a long tool. So you respect the weight, but the basics are the same.
The Basic Step-and-Slide
This is your core movement, just like in boxing.
Forward:
- From your stance, your front foot steps first, just a small step.
- Your back foot slides in to catch up, keeping the same stance width.
- Both feet stay close to the floor—no bouncing, no jumping.
Backwards:
- Your back foot steps first, a small step back.
- Your front foot slides back to reset the stance.
- Again, nice and quiet—heels light, weight balanced.
Think of it as: step, then slide. The scythe comes later. First you teach your legs to flow without losing balance.
Side Steps (Left and Right)
Just like a boxer stepping off the centerline, Scythe Footwork uses simple side steps to cut better angles.
- If you step to the left, your left foot moves first, then your right foot slides in.
- If you step to the right, your right foot moves first, then your left foot follows.
- Your feet stay about shoulder-width apart the whole time.
No crossing the legs. No spinning around. Just clean, small side steps so you can shift your body while the scythe draws its arc.
Staying Grounded
With a scythe, groundedness is everything. If you bounce too much, the tool will feel heavy and your balance will be off.
Basic rules:
- Keep your knees slightly bent, not locked.
- Keep your weight centered between both feet, slightly forward.
- Move like you’re trying not to make noise on the floor.
Silent steps = controlled steps. Controlled steps = controlled arcs.
Adding the Scythe Later
At first, practice all this without the scythe. Pretend you’re a boxer who just cares about staying balanced and ready.
Once forward, backward, and side steps feel natural, then you add:
- light scythe holds
- slow, simple arcs
- one or two basic cuts while stepping
The goal is simple: your feet stay calm and basic, even when your upper body starts to move like a reaper.
Where Scythe Footwork Leads Next
These beginner steps are enough to get you moving:
- in and out
- side to side
- without losing your stance
- without losing your balance
Later, Scythe Footwork can grow into circles, pivots, and more advanced rotations—but it all starts here.
Get these basics solid and you’ll feel the difference in every scythe session: more control, more confidence, more presence.