Leading Steps  emphasizes the use of stepping and footwork.  Of course Leading Steps like any Northern Shaolin Form has high kicks, flying kicks, leaps and sweeps.  What it shows more than any other form is the stance mobility of Northern Shaolin.   Often when people think of Northern Shaolin they think Northern legs equals kicks.  This is definitely true.  However the Northern legs also  includes deep stances and quick steps. 

Deep Stances have several advantages.  First, if they are well formed they are very stable.  Throwing a person who has well formed deep stances confounds even expert wrestlers.  Well formed here means not only low but well structured.  A person can bend their legs a lot and still be wobbly because their feet are not firmly set on the ground.  If the foot is rolling off to one side or the other and is not flat it will not provide a stable foundation for the legs and body. 

If the feet are firm the position of the  ankles, shins, knees, thighs and hips must also be integrated and correct.  If people have not developed sufficient flexibility of legs and especially the hips it is common for the ankle or knee to collapse inward.  If either of these occur a person can still easily be thrown.  In addition, over time the strain on the anterior cruciate ligament on the inside of the knee can cause it to become weaker and prone to  injury.  These are serious injuries that should be avoided.  

In general, Leading Steps continues  the  development of the stances that began with Springy Legs and Continuous Steps and was advanced with Penetrating Heart.

Leading Steps has long sequences of deep Horse and Bow stances.  These include both advancing and retreating steps, steps changing sides in place and steps that flank the opponent.  These sequences show both how to attack with the stances and how to defend with them.  If your stepping shows skill it will be hard for the opponent to find you and difficult for them to escape.