Circling right

[Sharla]

If circling left the right foot takes you there, if you move the front foot independantly youre reaching, losing balance and power stability is lost.

I agree Scrap. On the other hand (or foot) I think you'd move the left foot first if you're circling right. I think that's what he meant to ask about in the first place.

Are you sure?

I was taught the opposite:

1) lift the foot on the same side as the direction you are going,
2) use the supporting foot to push off,
3) set the first foot down,
4) bring the other foot up to make your feet the original distance apart.

Of course this I guess is sidestepping and does not require a pivot so what we're talking about here may be two different options?

[Trainer Monkey]

If circling left the right foot takes you there, if you move the front foot independantly youre reaching, losing balance and power stability is lost.

I agree Scrap. On the other hand (or foot) I think you'd move the left foot first if you're circling right. I think that's what he meant to ask about in the first place.

Are you sure?

I was taught the opposite:

1) lift the foot on the same side as the direction you are going,
2) use the supporting foot to push off,
3) set the first foot down,
4) bring the other foot up to make your feet the original distance apart.

Of course this I guess is sidestepping and does not require a pivot so what we're talking about here may be two different options?

The way Scrap and I both described what you should be doing,its somewhere in the middle of that,if you put them both together,thats about it. I misread the question.
You do need to swing your rear leg back in to position,but youve also got to get your front foot in position to strike

[Chris Nagel]

If circling left the right foot takes you there, if you move the front foot independantly youre reaching, losing balance and power stability is lost.

I agree Scrap. On the other hand (or foot) I think you'd move the left foot first if you're circling right. I think that's what he meant to ask about in the first place.

Are you sure?

I was taught the opposite:

1) lift the foot on the same side as the direction you are going,
2) use the supporting foot to push off,
3) set the first foot down,
4) bring the other foot up to make your feet the original distance apart.

Of course this I guess is sidestepping and does not require a pivot so what we're talking about here may be two different options?

A while back I was practicing with my trainer's son who was an ex-pro himself, he showed me that when I stepped to my left like how you were taught I'd become squared up just enough that my body would be open for his left uppercut. I found that an adjustment in my footwork was needed.

Now for both defensive and offensive purposes, I try to maintain an oblique angle to my opponent. Sometimes I don't have to pivot. I usually pivot when I need to get back into my boxing stance, which happens often when I'm circling. When circling right, It's almost simultaneous to when I slide my left foot to th3 right, I'd then pivot to face my opponent. I still have my balance, I can still move quickly when I have to, but more important to me is that I don't square up to my opponent. On a further note, that's how a lot of good fighters move, and it works for me.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I agree Scrap. On the other hand (or foot) I think you'd move the left foot first if you're circling right. I think that's what he meant to ask about in the first place.

Are you sure?

I was taught the opposite:

1) lift the foot on the same side as the direction you are going,
2) use the supporting foot to push off,
3) set the first foot down,
4) bring the other foot up to make your feet the original distance apart.

Of course this I guess is sidestepping and does not require a pivot so what we're talking about here may be two different options?

A while back I was practicing with my trainer's son who was an ex-pro himself, he showed me that when I stepped to my left like how you were taught I'd become squared up just enough that my body would be open for his left uppercut. I found that an adjustment in my footwork was needed.

Now for both defensive and offensive purposes, I try to maintain an oblique angle to my opponent. Sometimes I don't have to pivot. I usually pivot when I need to get back into my boxing stance, which happens often when I'm circling. When circling right, It's almost simultaneous to when I slide my left foot to th3 right, I'd then pivot to face my opponent. I still have my balance, I can still move quickly when I have to, but more important to me is that I don't square up to my opponent. On a further note, that's how a lot of good fighters move, and it works for me.

The most important thing.
Trial and error, what your body is comfortable with.

[Chris Nagel]

That's absolutely right Donny. If I'm getting hit I have to ask myself why, and then make the necessary changes to fixes it. It's the same with improving in any aspect, technique or otherwise. I think that it's up to each fighter to figure out most of this on their own. In time we begin to realize that it's often little changes here and there that make the biggest difference.

[Rocky Balboa]

I tried the way you just mentioned Chris and I like it. I'm going to do it that way, thanks

[Chris Nagel]

It'll help to practice throwing your punches while circling mindful of the timing between your punches and footwork. For example let's say you're circling right, as you move your left foot jab at the same time. Now after you pivot (or when you're facing your opponent) throw a straight right. You can repeat it (jab, right, jab, right...) so that it becomes natural without needing to hit the breaks to punch. Also practice circling both ways as that's what you're going to have to do when you get in the ring.

[Scrap]

Get a partner, put left hands together facing each other. Now move wherever you want one leading the way the other following, left right back forward. Take it in turns play ring around a roses if he goes left try changing by going right, play at it. Now when youve got that, tie your opposite feet thats you and your partners together so they are 4 ft apart with rubber, now it gets interesting.

[Sharla]

It's fairly complicated really isn't it!

Hitmandonny's comment makes sense to me because if i gather correctly:

• sidestep too far and you open up like Chris says
• move your left foot across first like Chris says to set up the pivot I guess you wouldn't want to move it too far because it will move your head over your right side a fair bit and make it difficult to move when neccessary
• Keep your left foot angled in a bit and stance not too square to begin with and your body is less likely to be open when you do sidestep
• BUT angle your front foot too much and be completely sideways and you'll have the same problem as in the second doc point.

Does that make sense? Do I understand? So basically you need to combine a few variable to add up to something which works for you rather than just one thing?

[Chris Nagel]

Good work analyzing the pros and cons Sharla. Also keep in mind that there's a time a place for everything. A great fighter knows when to break the rules, i.e. crossing the feet, bringing the rear foot forward, squaring up, etc. Find out what works for you and always keep an open mind in finding another or better way of doing things.

[Zelley]

When it comes to circling left it seems like I could do it all day throwing the jab. Yet when it comes to circling left, my jab loses all power and speed. I can't even throw my right hand. My left hook is powerless. What should I do? How are my feet supposed to move?

I guess that you were referring to circling right. When you're circling to your right you'd move your left foot first, and then you'd pivot on it to resume your boxing stance.

Good points!

Another move is to circle right, and step back, then circling left
with a series of left jabs. It's all about contolling the action with
good footwork, balance and a solid defence. Regardless of what direction you are moving be aware of your defensive weaknesses and your range.

[Austin_B]

Great info here, thank you for sharing