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A boxer’s skillset needs to be multi-faceted if they are to truly succeed. The very best in the business have honed skills across a number of areas to get to where they are.
A big consideration here is footwork. You might be able to punch like King Kong, but without the required levels of dexterity and agility in your feet, you will get caught by your opponent way more than you would like.
One of the reasons masters of the sport reach the heights they do is often due to their footwork. Fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is often thought of as having some of the best footwork in boxing history, maintained complete control and balance thanks to incredibly sharp footwork and movements.
So when the question ‘how important is footwork in boxing?’ gets asked, the answer is ‘extremely’. With this in mind, finding ways to enhance your footwork and develop a technique that stands you in good stead should be a priority.
In this latest Boxfit blog, we take a look at the fundamentals of boxing footwork, and give you a few tips on how to enhance your boxing footwork techniques.
Why is boxing footwork so important?
It is easy to think that in a combat sport like boxing, it’s your hands, arms and upper body which are the most important factors at play.
Granted, they are all very important. But your balance, power and centre of gravity are driven by your lower body. And your footwork controls how your lower body moves, and how effectively you can execute your gameplan.
Your footwork also dictates your weight distribution, and how easily you can transfer your weight into your movements and punches.
All in all then, footwork is at the centre of any boxer’s ability. Those who lack quality footwork are far more likely to come a cropper in the ring.
Boxing Footwork Basics
In an ideal scenario, every inch of a boxer’s body will be working in unison in order to attack and defend.
Your footwork is key to facilitating both of these aspects. Getting your feet in the optimal positions to strike an opponent, or evade their punches, is crucial.
If you are just starting out in the world of boxing, there are some fundamentals to consider when it comes to footwork. The first is to have your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. This gives you a solid base from which to conduct your work.
And if you are an orthodox fighter, your left foot should point forwards in your stance, with your right foot behind at a roughly 45 degree angle to your front foot.
A good boxing coach can quickly teach you the fundamentals and provide that base to start building your knowledge and skillset.
Boxing footwork masters
Perhaps the most iconic boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali’s footwork was an exceptional part of his armoury. His famous quote about floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee is closely linked to the fantastic footwork he exhibited. Ali was also an innovator, bringing the shuffle technique into his fighting, which helped him stay light on his feet.
As mentioned earlier in this blog, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is inarguably among the best boxing technicians to have stepped into the ring. Mayweather’s footwork helped set him apart, and contributed to his extraordinary defensive skills. His ability to avoid big punches, shift and manoeuvre opponents, and counter when the opportunity came, was due to an extraordinary quality of footwork.
One of the great footwork technicians of the modern age is Tyson Fury. For such a big man, Fury’s ability to stay light on his feet, navigate the ring and find positions to evade and punish his opponent has allowed him to become the champion he is today.
Boxing footwork exercises
With all this in mind then, how can you start to take your own boxing footwork to a new level?
There are plenty of drills out there that are perfect for honing your footwork skills. A really basic one and a great way to develop a better level of lightness on your feet is using a boxing skipping rope. This can be truly advantageous for any boxer.
In terms of specific drills, laying down an agility ladder and practicing stepping and punching at the same time is a great option. It’s vital to throw your punch and take a step at the same time. Exercises with agility ladders can give you the structure you need to practice throwing individual punches or combinations. This video from Tony Jeffries explains some drills in more details.
Another drill to do is to lay out a square on the floor, then split this into four equal quadrants. Stand in one quadrant, and then move to another quadrant with the foot nearest to the new quadrant moving first. So if you are in the top right quadrant and moving to the top left, move your left foot if you are an orthodox fighter, followed by you right foot. On landing your first foot, throw a shadow punch. So if this is your left foot, throw the jab. If your right foot, throw a cross. This video from fightTIPS provides more information.
These drills will help you practice throwing your punches as your feet land. This is a vital component for beginners to get used to doing,
There are plenty more videos to take a look through online when it comes to boxing footwork drills, so take a browse and find the exercises that serve you best.
Shop for Boxing Training Equipment at Boxfit
We at Boxfit are fully behind your efforts to enhance your boxing skillset, and have a superb range of boxing equipment available to help take things to new heights.
Boxfit also stocks everything from footwear to boxing gloves to clothing, so take the time to look through our full collection today.
Be sure to browse through our delivery options too, and if you have any questions, simply get in touch with the Boxfit team. We will be happy to offer our expert guidance.
