How to improve my footwork

[greynotsoold]

Try this: begin by standing with your feet under your shoulders toes on a line. Shift all wt to rt foot, lift left foot place it so large to touches lrg toe of rt ft, w/ left foot at @ 40dg angle, then take one natural step forward with left, rotating leg inward so hip and shoulder (left) are in front of your chin. Rt foot on to heel up @ 2", move it @ 3"directly to theright: feet should be under shoulders frnt to bk, side to side.
Slide the left foot forward 3-4in., slide the right foot up to position. Shuffle forward in this manner, then go in reverse,moving the right foot first. Do this until you begin to feel your balance sliding not lifting the feet. Now begin throwing your jab as you move, hands and feet notin serquence, punch continuously driving arm full out not upsetting your balance. forward and back. Do the same with the right then with both hands. Punch continuously not shifting wt or upsettying your shuffle at all. More later

[Blackvenom-2001]

Jump rope, dance classes, and lots and lot of shadow boxing have helped me tremendously... but what has helped me the most... is watching our pro-fighters in the gym work out and then to try to imitate there moves...

Blackvenom-2001

[donnydarkoIRL]

Shadow boxing is essentail for footwork. Watch your feet as well as your hands.

[Von Milash]

Jump rope, dance classes, and lots and lot of shadow boxing have helped me tremendously... but what has helped me the most... is watching our pro-fighters in the gym work out and then to try to imitate there moves...

Blackvenom-2001

EXCELLENT post. People seem to greatly underestimate the value of watching and emulating.

Quite honestly, Im perplexed by how difficult it is for many people to learn footwork. It's easy. Like venom said, just watch and learn. Watch Ali, then just do it. I mean, did nobody gallop or sidestep in he school yard as a kid? It's the same thing.. Don't everthink it.

Just bounce up and down on the balls of your feet, moving front to back and side to side.

When you jab and move forward, step with your lead foot, and drag the rear foot.

Simple.

[Scrap]

Ill give you a cracker, but you must have the basics before trying it you also need a partner of the same or simular standard. Get two valcro headbands and 4ft of elastic rope tie the velcro to the headbands, then each of you put them on. the secret is to always have tension on the rope and both move with your eyes shut. At first there will be a few problems with distance but given time it will give unbelievable awareness and speed, also oral perception its a cracker.

[Sharla]

So you'd need a partner of similar height as well?

Does one person follow the other kinda thing?

Is it to sort of get you to move without leaving your head behind therefore keeping your feet under you?

As opposed to going ass over tip because someone steps on your toes while your moving back head first (yes I've done that!).

[Scrap]

It does, you understand what feel is about its very tireing you need good consentration levels it only needs light elastic, its one of the things Ive been working on

[Sharla]

Interesting thanks Scrap I might try talking a training partner into doing this with me some time.

[Trainer Monkey]

Check your stance,it might not be as perfect as you think
If you tend to lean back,or forward to far,you wont be able to move

[Sharla]

I don't think anything I do is perfect. Posture and balance is something I am continually working on.

I don't think there will be any quick fixes and with me I think part of it is physical as well as technical.

I need to become consistant with my stretching etc to loosen up muscles that bend my back out of place to move more effectively.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Is there something in particular you want to work on? Defence, closing the range?

I think skipping is great for endurance in the legs but it does not automatically mean your footwork will be better. Train as you want to perform.

To improve your footwook drill footwork. As Donny has mentioned, shadowboxing is great. Actually try a couple of rounds just dancing round the ring, have someone you know won't try and kill you chase you round the ring whilst you evade, that'll get you moving.

Don't forget to move your feet when working the heavy bag, sure you can do a round slugging on it but switch with moving in and out of range, move round the bag, move after throwing every punch or combo.

Have a good pad partner. Have them move round (I'm sure they do).

If there is a specific combo you want to work on, eg. jab/cross/hook/ throw in place, throw it moving forward/back, throw the jab, step forward and out and move again before throwing the hook. Practice it light and fast/hard/ etc etc.

Lots of things to play with that your trainer should or could be doing, plenty of things you can work on at home. Good luck

[neillk2]

This will certainly help...

You can get some free footwork drills by registering here:

Learn How To Box

or get the full package here:

Boxing footwork

Laters

[neillk2]

This should help your footwork and its free.

Learn How To Box

Peace