Yep, short moves are correct (as in adjacent squares), and also correct is not trying to make progress in the normal way.
But you can try to make some progress. Every 2nd or 3rd move for example 
This is not so hard to do because you can use your two nothing moves to plan out the 3rd move that will make progress. This will also guard against opponents who, when they see you're not making progress, will start chaining a lot of nonsense premoves as well.
Check moves from 42 to 62!