How to improve my footwork

[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

[donnydarkoIRL]

Some great points there Missy.

I think another thing you'll have to learn is that when speaking of footwork, it does not have to be elaborate or flash.
Practising economy of movement is a great tool as it conserves energy and the small subtle movements can get you where you want to go a lot quicker than any flamboyant exaggerated moves. see B-hop vids on you tube.

[Sharla]

Thanks missy and hitmandonny,

yeah I have a lot to work on but I'll try to put your ideas into practice over the next few months and watch some bhop

I seem to either over reach and pick my back foot up off of the ground (and bounce around like a fool) or plant too heavily on my back foot and leave my weight on it too heavily (and be economical with movement).

I haven't managed to find the happy medium consistently. Perhaps you're right on point when you mention range there Missy as well as hitmandonny's comment on economy of movement.

My balance does seem to be better when I force myself to throw combos and get into more of a flow though. Odd!

[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