How to Do Boxing Footwork

The smartest, fastest and least beaten up boxers are the ones who use quick, instinctive footwork to minimize their opponent's landed attacks and to deliver stronger punches. Boxing footwork takes practice and agility to get down, so practice your footwork to increase your boxing skills.

Instructions

1. Establish your stance by dropping your powerful side back so your back leg turns nearly 90 degrees from your forward direction. Keep a moderate bend in your front leg and a less extreme bend in your back leg. Distribute your weight evenly between your legs and get your hands up by your face.

2. Step forward and then slide your back foot forward so you return to your stance when you want to move forward. To move backwards, step back with your back foot and then slide your front foot back. Perform the same kind of step-and-slide movement to move left and right.

3. Jab by taking a step forward towards your opponent and throwing a quick jab with your front hand. Recover from the jab by sliding your back foot forward far enough to return your feet to your boxing stance.

4. Use the jab step and slide footwork for any direction jab, always being sure move first with the foot that's closest to the direction your moving in.

5. Employ a jump rope to establish your footwork rhythm. Progress from basic rope jumping to varying speeds and then do rope turns, alternate single foot hops and side to side jumping to take your boxing footwork to the next level.