Skirmish is a combat workout built on hit-and-move engagements rather than a pitched battle: 10 side-to-side low side kicks, 4 knee strikes, 10 side-to-side side kicks, 4 knee strikes, 10 side-to-side backfists and 4 final knee strikes. Every long station travels laterally; every short one closes the distance.
A skirmish is fought on the move, and the side-to-side structure of the main stations is the whole doctrine. The kicks are not thrown from a planted stance - each rep switches sides, so between every strike there is a weight shift, a re-orientation, a new base to build before the next kick leaves. That travelling demand is what separates fighting movement from gym movement: balance must be found fresh every single rep. The progression is deliberate too - low side kicks first, grooving the chamber and pivot at a manageable height, then full side kicks demanding the same mechanics with more range, then backfists shifting the lateral game to the arms. The knee strike pairs between stations are the close-quarters counterpoint: after ten reps of fighting at leg's length, four knees bring the engagement to grabbing range, hips driving upward instead of sideways. Long range, short range, always mobile - skirmisher's rules.
In all the side-to-side work, complete the weight shift fully before striking - a kick thrown mid-transfer is a kick that falls over. Chamber every side kick knee-first, drive the heel out with hips behind it, and re-chamber before stepping down. Keep the backfists snappy from the guard, striking with the back of the knuckles and returning fast. Drive knee strikes up through the hip with your core braced at the top and hands staying home in the guard.
Skirmishers do not hold ground - they own wherever they happen to be standing. Ten reps a side, keep moving.
Make it Harder: Double every knee strike station from 4 to 8.
Make it Easier: Keep all kicks at the low height and slow the side-to-side transitions until balance is automatic.
