Fighting off your back foot...

[Howlin Mad Missy]

An older guy who I see occassionally around the gym was watching me spar the other day. He told me I need to learn how to fight off my back foot. He just keep saying it over and over but when I asked a little about it... he began a profanity-laced tirade about fighters these days not fighting off their back foot.

I usually have less of a reach and prefer to fight inside. How can you work inside while standing upright with your weight on your back foot? I thought it was used for counterpunching. I know it helps stepping forward with the jab... but I try to move in under my opponents jab.

Any thoughts?

Ask him to show you what he means. He could have meant your weight placement or he could have meant moving/backing away from your opponent. I've heard the term used to describe both actions.
Good luck with your training.

[God.in.my.corner]

I think he was referring to controlling distance. I wasn't quick enough getting in and was getting hit with jabs, and my counters were slow. He also said it sould be a sin to lead with the hook. He said you finish with the hook, not lead with it. I tried the hook lead a couple times, probably with my weight on my lead foot. I think it was blocked once and ducked once and I got countered each time....