Rigging is complex, learn MEL, and you'll have alot of control. Maya is MEL no going around this, unfortunately. Why some prefer Modo, there is scripting in Modo but you can do alot without knowing much scripting with Modo. Currently I'm putting focus on render control.
So you want to move your hip and want the IK leg to follow, but the knee bends incorrectly, even though the foot follows the hip correctly. Do you use a Polevector contraint? Is the pole vector following the hip as well by parenting or point constraint? There is no need to learn MEL (or better python) to be a beginner or…