johnwang wrote:the Bagua circle walking (move front leg 1st - legs always crossed) has conflict with the SC circle running (move back leg first - legs never crossed).
This i find intriguing. BaGua circle walking have helped my foot work tremendous, it has also made me understood how to apply force during moving and "circling" (angle out) your opponent.
But the scissor step, crossing your legs, had always made me vulnerable for counter attacks. You actually gives your opponent a chance to push you of balance for a (very) short period of time to get a advantage on him. (and when you are of balance its easy for him to take make his move leading up to a potential finishing move)
All Liang Bagua forms i have learned starts with moving the front leg to the outside, before crossing and doing the scissor step. This is the key to all footwork in Bagua. (When you have your left foot front you start by stepping a half step to the left, you can never take this step without some contact either leading you opponent into empty space or applying force to his center so he cant go forward.)
If you have your left foot front and wants to move to the right you have to step with your right foot (ie back foot) first. This is the first principle in Liang BaGua.. always move the foot that are closes to where you want to go. (Front -> move front foot, back -> move back foot, left -> move left foot, right -> move right foot. This principle is found in many western boxing schools as well to get a quick foot work)
This way you never cross your legs in the initial contact with your opponent, and (hopefully) have him under some kind of control when you (if you) cross your leg in the next step.