Sidestops

Sidestops are a class of footwork techniques used in sports, martial arts, and movement training to move laterally with a brief stop. The intent is to shift position relative to an obstacle or opponent while maintaining forward momentum and readiness to react.

The basic pattern begins with a lateral step to the side, followed by a controlled plant and a short pause before continuing. Key elements include stable hips, bent knees, weight planted on the stepping foot, and a quick re-acceleration after the pause. The pause can disrupt an opponent’s timing and create a new angle for subsequent actions while keeping the torso oriented toward the threat.

Applications of sidestops span several domains. In basketball and soccer, sidestops help a player evade defenders while sustaining progress toward a goal or lane. In combat sports and fencing, sidestop-like evasion can open angles for counterattacks while maintaining guard. In robotics and animation, sidestops describe motion-planning primitives that combine lateral displacement with a pause to preserve control and balance.

Variants of sidestops include a light sidestop, which involves a short lateral shift with a minimal pause, a deep sidestop with a larger movement and longer pause, and a double sidestop featuring two rapid side steps with a pause in between. Training typically uses cone drills, line drills, and resistance-band lateral steps to improve cadence, balance, and edge control. Sidestops are distinct from continuous sidesteps and from pivots or crossovers that change direction with a planted pivot foot.