[@MelonHead] 

The palm strike doesn't generate any momentum, as it was just the arm moving, without any power behind the strike. The weight of his body was already shifted to his front leg, so he could immediately transition into the passing step. And lastly, Gigue started moving the very moment he saw Sigurd move away, as he would be reacting to his opponent's actions, not anything else. 

Gigue would be already in motion by the time, so even if he would register the movement of Sigurd's arm - which would be partially obscured by the man's own body from his point of view - he could just carry on with the step and put himself out of range.