Do characters move sideways?

[Warmmedown]

-Just watched Kid Future Trunks vs Future 18 and she backs up on the ferris wheel.
-Nam nearly falls out the ring because he keeps backing up when Goku is doing the tasmanian devil spinning thing.
-18 backs up against Vegeta, then Vegeta backs up against 18.

When did they move sideways?

The only one I can think of would be when Vegeta and Goku are rotating in the air while fighting in their first fight.

 

[Spiral-Force]

In terms of head movement, Vegeta vs Pui Pui immediately comes to mind.

For whole body movement, can think of a few moments where Gohan and Krillin dodged blasts from Frieza.

It'd be more noticeable if characters didn't move so quickly that it looks like they're teleporting.

 

[Warmmedown]

Can't remember the freeza ones, but I mean in close quarters

Head movement dun cut it. Mousasi has head movement but still had nothing for fabian edwards last night, partly because he doesn't move his feet well and fabian does.

These boys need to learn some footwork. I think it's the worst thing in martial arts fiction. Well that and the whole taking turns to attack thing, but db/z doesn't have that problem.

 

[Spiral-Force]

Making it that specific invites the question: how significant is that? Because DB fighters have a lot more overall freedom and versatility in how they can move and attack. For example, being able to evade a ground attack and setup a ki blast counter from mid-air. If a character is struggling within close quarters, they have a wider variety of options than moving to the side. If anything, the opponent that is out-doing them would be able to move sideways too and continue piecing them up like before. In that case, they should re-evaluate how they are approaching the fight altogether.