Stepping out

[angriff]

I've always been told to take bigger steps backward.. Thing is, I don't know how to - There's only so much I can open up my back leg when stepping back, else it'd look - and feel - odd. Is there something I can do, like any particular exercise to strengthen some part of my legs or is it down to stretching to gain more flexibility? Thanks!

[epeefencer74]

I've always been told to take bigger steps backward.. Thing is, I don't know how to - There's only so much I can open up my back leg when stepping back, else it'd look - and feel - odd. Is there something I can do, like any particular exercise to strengthen some part of my legs or is it down to stretching to gain more flexibility? Thanks!

Try hop stepping backwards. i.e. as you step back push off forcefully with your front foot into a short hop. this covers quite a lot of ground

[Rodeo79]

Cross over back to open distance if your retreat isn't enough...

If you want to work on how much ground your cover when you retreat... Resistance training (i.e. have someone push on your hip forcefully while you retreat)

[acaba]

You may try bending your knees more and lowering your stance. This works for both retreats and advances. When you are almost standing up, you move your foot back until your knee is fully extended to take the retreat. That is the biggest retreat you can take. Now bend your knees a lot. All of a sudden, you can take bigger retreats, and your knees will not be fully extended, even then.

[vegan]

You might try this- it might work.
Try doing a lunge, as far as you can go- see if you bck leg is extended all the way and then get that feeling. After this, try lunging with out moving your front foot at all, then recover back.
This should give you some ideas about longer retreats. also see ACABAs idea- its good!
Cheers,
B

[broncofencer]

If you are looking to get your retreat speed up (multiple retreats) I wouldn't try to take larger step I'd try to take faster ones (stride frequency rather than length) It also makes it easier to change direction quickly. For a single retreat to avoid a repost or something I use the jump back that has already been described.

[angriff]

Great advice, guys. Thanks a bunch, I'll be sure to work on them