Ali footwork

[HerbM]

Lesson # 3:
“The 1-1-2with fast circular movement”.

Muhammad Ali used to dance revolving around his opponents while simultaneously hitting them.

His famous expression “Float like a butterfly sting like a bee”, came from these movements.

This is one of Ali’s classic combinations:


Figure 1.- sequence.

...

Are the pictures in this post from a book or online lesson? What is the source? Is it available online?

I am a bit frustrated by the lack of (modern) boxing books, while at the same time I am reading and re-reading everything I can find.

Today, I worked the above pattern-combination both in shadow boxing and on the heavy bag, and this seemed pretty easy and (almost) natural to pick up.

I definitely like it as an alternative for moving to the left.

Although I am MAINLY training to never cross my feet, the real issue is to never be in a position that destroys your balance or mobility, and if such moves are practiced they can certainly be used -- at least from time to time.

Other martial arts (some at least) do offer techniques where the feet are crossed or moved past each other....

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HerbM

[fwaORANGE]

Heh, i've got the same problem here.
I want to move about but the moment i moved, my stance is all wrong.

[HerbM]

Heh, i've got the same problem here.
I want to move about but the moment i moved, my stance is all wrong.

I am just a boxing newbie myself, but believe the experienced folks will tell you something like this:

In the beginning, you must never cross. You move the foot on the side/direction you wish to move first, then you bring up the foot that is remaining EXACTLY the same amount so that you end up precisely in the same stance, but in the new position.

My coach insists we PUSH with the standing foot (the one not moving first). He distinguishes strongly between 'stepping' with the first foot, and 'pushing' with the following foot.

So to move forward you go lead foot, then rear foot. Vice versa for going back. Left foot moves first to go left, right first to go right -- other foot moves the same distance and direction.

I also notice some new boxers standing at the bag and LOOKING down at their feet -- much better to look in the mirror (coach keeps reminding us that is what their purpose).

Then, eventually, being able to reset your stance without looking at all.

Until you can do that, i.e., reset by feel and balance, I would think/advise that you shouldn't even consider crossing over or using any unorthodox foot work.


--
HerbM

[fwaORANGE]

When i moved, my feet will tend to change angle.
Meaning it won't be 45 degree, not facing the inner of the opponent's feet.

[HerbM]

When i moved, my feet will tend to change angle.
Meaning it won't be 45 degree, not facing the inner of the opponent's feet.

Three pieces of advice:

1. Don't do that <grin>
2. Practice, practice, practice (watch yourself in the mirror)
3. Use that pushing idea, so that your first foot moves and the following foot drags/slides up while staying in the same relative position/angle.

Maybe taking smaller steps will help too, if long steps are your problem. With long steps you are more likely to reposition your feet and lose the relationship.

Coach has some guys wear a tether between the feet and work lots of shadowboxing that way.

[fwaORANGE]

Grin as in the feet? V shaped?

[neillk2]

My friend Derek Roche the 3 times British welterweight champ has some really smooth footwork tips. The way he moves to the left is awesome. It takes some practise but you can get it to work well after a while as long as you use it at a distance.

It looks just like what Ali used to do,

Here's the link - just play the video on the page.

Boxing Footwork Drills

Cool as ice!