How to Step and How to Skip
Footwork is an essential element of a successful boxer's skill set. It is the foundation of a fighter's movement in the ring and can make all the difference in their ability to evade, defend, and attack.
Good footwork allows a boxer to move around the ring efficiently and effectively, setting them up for successful punches and combinations. It also enables a boxer to stay out of harm's way, avoiding their opponent's punches and reducing the risk of getting hit.
In addition to helping a boxer land punches and avoid being hit, good footwork can also help conserve energy and tire out an opponent. By constantly moving and adjusting their position in the ring, a boxer can make their opponent work harder to land a clean shot, ultimately wearing them down over the course of a fight.
In short, footwork is crucial for a boxer's success in the ring, and it is something that should be constantly worked on and refined as part of a fighter's training routine.
Below you will find an outline of two basic footwork techniques: the step and the skip.
Starting Position
Orthodox stance (Southpaws reverse ‘right’ and ‘left’):
Feet shoulder-width apart.
Step the right foot back.
Turn the heels 45-degrees.
Lift the rear heel up.
Bend the knees.
Elbows on the ribs.
Wrists straight.
Fingers tucked under thumbs.
Hands to chin.
Chin down.
The Step
To move forward, move the front foot first.
To move backwards, move the back foot first.
To move left, move the left foot first.
To move right, move the right foot first.
Take small steps.
Keep the distance between both feet equal.
Maintain the stance.
The Skip
To skip forward, sweep the back foot first.
To skip backwards, sweep the front foot first.
To skip left, sweep the front foot inwards first.
To skip right, tuck the rear foot inwards first.
Maintain stance as much as possible.
Common Mistakes
Bringing the feet close together.
Crossing the legs.
Standing too square.
Standing too side-on.
Moving the wrong foot first.
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