Footwork for Swordsmanship. 

You're just trying to make Rawlings look as nervous on camera as you do

Not no more Karl, me and the camera are the best of buds now.

It's just timing and spacing bruv.

yet we do have heels, go figure. There is no challenge to answer, do it how you want.:)

I also advocate running on the balls of the feet, and do so myself without issue, but I'd say in the context of these movements there's no issue with landing on the heels. It's more of a long-stride step than a hard impact like in running. Not read enough to weigh in on the back posture debate.

I'll bite. The difference between walking and running is the speed with which you move in a single plane. Moving faster creates momentum and increases the impact on your body, by landing on the ball of your foot you can use the muscles of your arch to redirect that energy like a spring and propel yourself forward. But movement in a linear plane makes you unstable in the lateral plane, the faster you move forward, the less lateral stability you have, its a lot easier to knock a guy on a bike over than a guy standing still. In a martial context you don't want to overreach or over commit. You also don't want to bounce, but rather ground the energy, which is better done at the heel because its further up the kinetic chain. This is why shoes designed for boxing or martial arts have a thin, energy absorbing sole and no tread (so you can move better in a lateral plane) and shoes designed for running have a thick springy sole and lots of tread (so you can move better in a linear plane)

It's easier to land with the heel but if you can manage the balance landing on the ball I find you are more agile. Plus it's probably better for your joints as well. Modern shoes with raised, cushioned heels don't allow properly landing on the ball of the feet though. If you train barefoot or with barefoot shoes it's a totally different feeling.

Thanks for the reply. I believe that if we accept any proposed idea without questioning, it will lead to ignorance. I still haven't figured how the heel could provide better lateral support, since it is vertically aligned with the knee.