Footwork Coaching

[Chris Nagel]

I have a question. In the first drill with the tramlines, the boxer does 2 different kinds of steps. The first one, the lead foot steps and the rear follows. The second type, the rear foot almost skips to the front foot and then the front foot kicks out. Is this what is referred to as a "shuffle step"??

I am used to doing the first type, but I find the second type more effective. I find that it's both faster and you can cover much more distance.

Can someone please point out the differences among the two. Can you use both, or is it more a one or the other type of movement?

Also, with the shuffle step, if you were throwing a jab (or double jab), when would you punch? When the front foot land or the back foot lands? Any advice is appriciated. Hopefully Chris or Mr. Scrap can weigh in on this one.

Is the person who is demonstrating standing perpendicular to the tramlines or standing parallel to them? It reads, "Practice moving forwards and backwards in your stance", so I assume that he's a southpaw. Either way, it doesn't seem to show more than one way of stepping. 4 and 5 looks to be the reverse of the movement (stepping backward perhaps).

Anyway, when you take a step forward with your front foot first, and then bring the rear foot forward that is called "shuffling." It was once referred to it as polishing the canvas, since back then the fighter's feet would not leave the deck. This was back when fighters wore the leather-soled boxing shoes with resin on the bottom of their shoes and on the canvas.

The other way (not shown), involves lifting your front foot off the floor and driving off of your rear foot.