Footwork on the Arc

I set two dried sweetgum seed pods five paces apart along the faded white arc on the court. The textured green asphalt gave my bare feet sharp, reliable traction. Dropping low into a defensive stance, I focused on lateral drive. Push off the left instep, glide three clean strides across the painted grain, tap the first pod, then brake hard. My heel bit into the coarse stone, absorbing the momentum instantly. I reversed direction without rising an inch, keeping my shoulders level with the perimeter line. Five full cycles completed. My balance never wavered.