I have recently made strides in improving my balance, and I think I have stumbled upon the answer. Before, I spent hours and hours shawdowboxing and hitting the bag keeping my chin down. By keeping my chin down, this inadventenly caused me to square-up more and my head would also be forward, compromising my balance. After punching, many times my head would be over my lead knee. Moving my feet, my quickness and combinations were hindered since my balance was off.

Now, I don't keep my chin down anymore and I focus on having "no hump in my back" as my trainer put it (shoulders hunched forward with chin down). I move faster, punch better, and feel this slight change has made a huge impact.

My question is this: Are you supposed to keep your chin down or back? How do you keep it 'back'??

I still put my chin down when Im inside, but when i'm outside, I just keep my head natural and relaxed. Is this wrong??

This was dicussed on a thread years ago, actually you are spot on. Head is tucked in not down, push the chin in not down for balance. Also it makes the Dyaphram work better so the intake of oxygen is increased. Making the eyes focus better Eyes primary fuel is oxygen, without Oral stability we are lost for direction by the senses in the Oral Cavity.

Think about holding a ball or a round piece of fruit in between your chin and breast bone, that should give a good idea for how you chin should be held when boxing.

As for keeping your chin down well close to your breast bone, I don't recommend it. What Scrap's saying is that it makes it harder for you to breath. It's sort of like when you bend a garden hose, less water can go through.

Don't do this: