I'm stepping on sparring partners feet when I lead with my left jab... why?

[Blackvenom-2001]

It seems that I am stepping on my sparring partners lead left foot when I am leading with my left jab. I'm not sure why I can manage to step on someone's foot so often when I am not even looking down at the ground... and why when I am trying to land the jab that I miss...lol... it should be the other way around.

I do know that when I do this that it throws me off balance completely because the sparring partners usually jerk their foot out from under mind...

I haven't been around my coach since I really noticed this as a problme... so have not asked him yet... it was pointed out to me by one of my sparring partners tonight and I told my sparring partner that I realized I was doing it a lot but didn't know why...

I think I might be stepping out to far when I lead with my left jab...

Does anyone have a clue as too what could be causing me to do this... and how I can correct it!

Blackvenom-2001

[Sharla]

I do this too - seems to happen more with taller opponents since they usually have a longer stance. Sometimes they can still sway their upper body back to remain out of reach and sway in again with their own punches.

Not sure how to correct it but I usually consider it to be their problem since I continue to attack before they do and then they are the ones who are off balance trying to move away.

My trainers tell me that if I choose to stand in range I must be attacking. I won't step on the foot of an opponent when they are firing so I figure it's their fault that they are not moving - not mine just because I moved in to attack.

Of course I'm not a trainer and I don't know that I'm always right so I'll also leave this question open to more worldly boxing scholars!.........

[Von Milash]

if you're fighting orthodox fighters it's strange because you naturally jab and move left.

[Blackvenom-2001]

Von... that's only if you know what your doing... plus I started boxing, and you know how smart some boxers are... which way is left?

Seriously you reminded me of something that I need to work on... when I am not throwing a punch I have no trouble moving... or maybe I should say I don't have as much trouble moving. I'm still at a point where when I start to throw punches that I tend to remain rooted in one spot... that's not why I am stepping on peoples feet but... your response does remind me that I need to make a mental note for tonights sparring session to work on remaining mobile at all times not just when I am coming inside or focusing strictly on defense...

LOL... so much to learn...

Blackvenom-2001

[Sharla]

I'm a bit confused - as an orthodox sparrnig another orthodox wouldn't I want to move to my right - their left so I avoid their cross. Initially I would just step straight in a lot of the time if i think it's safe unless I'm moving in off a counter. Does that sound wrong to you Von Milash?

[Blackvenom-2001]

Sharla... I'm not Von... but I have always been told...

Moving to the left keeps the body naturally balanced when throwing the jab... and you are moving closer to the right so that it takes power away from the punch...

Someone correct me if I am wrong...

Blackvenom-2001

[Sharla]

Thanks for the explanation - I wasn't sure about how it worked when I first read your post but played around with it at training tonight and i think I get what you mean.

I was taught to step to the left with the jab by a coach who didn't believe in pivoting with the right cross - I was never taught that again so I kinda guessed that was just to allow the right to be thrown without a pivot.

......... I might quiz you about it in more detail after I've tested it in sparring though to make sure i understand you!

[Blackvenom-2001]

Haha... don't quiz me, I am so knew to this that probably just about anyone else would be better at explaining the how's and why's...

The only thing that I have going for me is that I have thrown myself into this indevor 100%... I have been living, breathing, and eating boxing for the last three months... before that I knew nothing... and even now I have so much to learn.

Blackvenom-2001

[Blackvenom-2001]

Figured it out... was standing to squared up while on the outside and was having to step out further to make my jab effective. It was bad all around, as it left me off balance and in a position that made it hard to recover for the nest punch or to react to counter punches.

I turned my left shoulder in more, and this made my jab more affective, more productive and I don't have to stretch the punch out to connect.

Form is noticably better and if feels a lot better as well...

Learning from my mistakes...

Blackvenom-2001

[Sharla]

Interesting - I often stand squared up too much aswell I think.

See I can quiz you if we're both struggling with the same problems and you suss it first.

I'm sure one of the trainers will say something if we are way off track.

It's good that you put these Qs up because I wouldn't have thought me stepping on an opponents toes indicated I was doing anything wrong - I just thought they didn't move enough.

[Blackvenom-2001]

LOL... well just wish I didn't have to take as many beatings to learn some of these things as it is taking...

Oh well part of the fun...

Trust me I am sure there are more questions to come...

Blackvenom-2001