The Side-Step: A Move from Boxing's Past

The Side-Step

Part of the reason I like going over old boxing manuals is to find forgotten veins of wisdom that may still be applicable today. When putting the old lessons of pugilism next to our own school of thought we can discover new possibilities to take advantage of, new strategies, concepts, and moves that we can use to spice up our repertoire. One such move that we'll examine in this thread is the "Side-Step."

The Side-Step is a little different than what many people today may think as simply a step to the side as the term could imply. Here are a couple of pictures taken from R. G. Allanson-Winn's Boxing:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2964/sidestep2.jpghttp://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6764/sidestep.jpg

Now although the pictures are a little crude, with a couple of small adjustments they can be made more effective. Here's how you can do it.

First get into your boxing stance, and without moving your left foot at all, step to your right. While doing so you want to throw your weight to the right, letting gravity accomplish this move, and thereby slipping their jab in the process. To follow up, push and turn off of your right foot, throwing a right hook over their extended left arm. This tip is absent from the pictures, but be sure to use the turning and push off of your right foot to accelerate your punch. With the proper timing, this move can be good counter to finish off an opponent.

In the second picture, it's the same move except that you're countering with a right to the body. As with the previous example, you want to use your right foot to give your punch torque. After your throw the right to the body you're in position to follow up with a left hook.

As for another small change, it'd be better to do this move closer to your opponent than the pictures show. Just barely slip their jab, and then quickly follow up with your right. It might also help if you keep your left foot outside of their left foot while you're boxing your opponent. This is not a difficult move to master but as with all things in boxing it will take practice!

Interestingly enough someone told me that they practice the same side-step and counter to the ribs as described in Jeet Kune Do.

A Karate master also said that this move is seen throughout traditional kata.

One of the great things about having an old trainer (60 or something, not that old) is being taught things like this.

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Originally Posted by RDJ

One of the great things about having an old trainer (60 or something, not that old) is being taught things like this.

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My trainer is the same too. He's a really smart, technical guy.

yep. except in JKD the defending guy would be southpaw so it alters things a little if they are orthodox, in terms of stepping to your left walks you in to their rear hand in your are orthodox. Stepping to our right is slower. One thing we just to do to make the move quicker would be to fall in to the step. Actually my favourite thing with the jab is to shot your own over the forearm of your opponent. Effectively a parry & hit..the essence of jkd.

Nice find.

Who remembers the Fitzroy Shuffle, lovely step ;D.

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Originally Posted by Scrap

Who remembers the Fitzroy Shuffle, lovely step ;D.

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I've never heard of it. It sounds like a name of a dance move, perhaps you could explain it. ;D

Its a draw and Step and move again little number. Makes everything safe whether long or short distance, dont see it much now. Try and put an example of it up must have one somewhere ;D.

A great move,I picked it up watching the buddy mcgirt-simon brown fight,buddy slipped the jab and dug a beautiful right uppercut to the body,if any of u have the chance watch that fight,buddy gave simon a boxing lesson,even dropped him late,lennox lewis did it nicley too in the 1st rahman fight,a lot of guys are scared to throw it the timing has to be perfect

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Originally Posted by Scrap

Its a draw and Step and move again little number. Makes everything safe whether long or short distance, dont see it much now. Try and put an example of it up must have one somewhere ;D.

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ah, where have all the draws gone. Feints yes but draws seem much less common...maybe I'm watching the wrong fights.:confused::)

Anyone have any particular fighters/fights they can suggest for feints or draws?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uu3m...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z61e7...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-XPhMh6W7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtlt7T8FKJk


Matador v Bull side stepping and Drawing them in ;D

Ah so you mean drawing in with your feet rather than drawing as in exposing a part of your body.

Dunstan throws some good punches after he changes the angles.