Thread: I think ice skating might establish good footwork habits

What do you think?

It's just something that I've been thinking about - some alternate methods of drilling boys to get them used to the constant alternation between pushing off the back foot and pivoting more naturally.

Obviously the the lack of traction makes hard work of continual short, sharp, explosive movements but I'm sure there are some ways that the motion required to move across ice with skates could help install good habits in the ring...?

Any thoughts/ suggestions??

Having good footwork is the basis of everything else. A lot of people get pretty far afield in their approach and make boxing footwork into something it is not and should never be. It is a very simple and efficient way of moving that provides for maximum balance and the ability to direct force from the ground up. It is very important to learn how to co-ordinate the movements of the hands and feet. The Haislet book has some very simple and very effective footwork drills that cover what needs to be learned; unfortunately, many young men get bored pretty easily with this, but 3 minutes a day isn't much to ask. Especially if the guy teaching them keeps his focus on getting their feet right in everything he presents to them.
I don't know anything about ice skating.

As someone who has boxed AND played ice hockey I can tell you from experience about what skating can bring to a boxer.

Now if you're just skating around a rink in circles you'll get better balance, stronger quadriceps, stronger glutes, but that's about it.

Transition skating on the other hand...starting, stopping, changing direction, sprinting that will work you like no other. Lower abs, cardio cardio cardio, hips, lower back, quads, glutes. Skating like this really works those hard to isolate core muscles and when you're even just standing in the skates your supporting muscles in your back, abs, hips, knees, ankles are all working to keep you standing upright.

I'm not sure it will be the help to footwork that you are looking for BUT the workout is a great one and it can certainly work some difficult areas.

Hockey players are kinda like boxers, look at ice hockey boxing! just youtube it!

It will certainly improve Proprioceptive ability.

I think it may work for some people

I figured the ice would require nothing but absolute consistency in form/ balance etc.

Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

I figured the ice would require nothing but absolute consistency in form/ balance etc.

When you start out you do that but the more relaxed you get on the ice the more you realize you have room for error

Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

I figured the ice would require nothing but absolute consistency in form/ balance etc.

When you are teaching a guy to box, you provide that. You always watch his feet. You get to a point where, by feeling his punches on the mitts, you can tell where his feet are.