1. Footwork is simply the way you get around.  The footwork practiced in the martial arts is designed to let you move quickly without losing balance.  In a self-defense situation, you need to be able to avoid attack and maybe to counterattack too.

Footwork practice is not glamorous, but it is necessary if you are going to remain stable in a dynamic situation.

In the video, Dan Inosanto demonstrates some of the fundamental footwork Bruce Lee practiced and taught as he developed Jeet Kune Do.

The modern martial arts owe a lot to Bruce Lee.  He pioneered the use of the training equipment seen in every martial arts gym in America.  He researched and tested ideas from martial arts from all over the world.  He even fought - literally - for the right to teach non-Chinese people martial arts.