Boxing Advice – Moving & Punching

ANSWERHi Brandon,

Thanks for your question, this is a really common problem when first getting started. Movement is key to great boxing and there is nothing more annoying than feeling awkward when trying to move around the ring. Don’t worry this doesn’t last long, as long as you are practicing regularly, you should start feeling natural in your stance and moving around punching in no time.

Depending on different trainers, boxers and styles there are several ways advocated to move around the ring and move when punching. I still use the way I was first taught as an Amateur boxer and it has held me in good stead throughout my career.

The way I teach movement is all centred around the stance, please see the way we stand in the quick video below.

Once in the stance, to move forward I will push from the back foot but still stay in my stance, keeping my feet equal distance apart – I don’t really agree with crossing the feet (meeting the feet in the middle whilst moving), well not if you are in punching range anyway. If you get punched while crossing your feet, you haven’t got a solid supporting base and more than likely you will be knocked down or trip. If you are in your stance all the time, when the opportunity arises to throw in a hard shot, you will be in the perfect position to do so. It’s easier to defend yourself in the stance position – easy to slip and to sit down in your stance.

Moving and punching –  I will push off my back foot (shuffling forward with the front foot) and jabbing simultaneously. When throwing the cross you want to be grounded in the stance (twisting hips and pivoting the back foot) to be able to generate the power. Use your jab and movement to get yourself in the right position then use your stance to throw your power shots.

The same goes for moving backwards, but this time you push from your front foot and shuffle back with the back foot.

The video below may help – if you look at tip #1 and #3

I hope this has helped Brandon and keep the questions coming.