Comments on How to Improve Your Footwork in Boxing

A southpaw is a boxer who is left handed.

Use lateral movement. If you stand still in front of your opponent, you're just a target. When circling your opponent, move away from their power hand, thus if you're facing a righty, circle toward your own right side (their left, away from their overhand right). This forces them to reach in order to land a power right, weakening it and providing an opportunity to counter. Also, many power punchers have to set their feet to throw bombs. When you move, even a little, they have to reposition themselves and that prevents them from lobbing bombs at you. And I know it sounds obvious, but when you step, don't cross your legs. Move the foot nearest to the direction you're headed, draw the other foot along behind it, and repeat. No "left foot forward, right foot forward, left foot forward" stuff. The point at which your legs cross each other is the point at which your opponent will catch you off balance. Proper footwork is more, as George Foreman put it, "like skipping". Just keep your feet on the ground while you do it.

A southpaw is a boxer who is left handed.

Most boxers lead with the left foot, while a "southpaw" (usually right-handed) leads with the right. A kickboxer puts most of his weight on his back leg, so that he can easily block a kick with his lead foot. Don?t retreat ? take punches, respond to your opponent, and block and counter when your opponent has committed to a punch.

Use lateral movement. If you stand still in front of your opponent, you're just a target. When circling your opponent, move away from their power hand, thus if you're facing a righty, circle toward your own right side (their left, away from their overhand right). This forces them to reach in order to land a power right, weakening it and providing an opportunity to counter. Also, many power punchers have to set their feet to throw bombs. When you move, even a little, they have to reposition themselves and that prevents them from lobbing bombs at you. And I know it sounds obvious, but when you step, don't cross your legs. Move the foot nearest to the direction you're headed, draw the other foot along behind it, and repeat. No "left foot forward, right foot forward, left foot forward" stuff. The point at which your legs cross each other is the point at which your opponent will catch you off balance. Proper footwork is more, as George Foreman put it, "like skipping". Just keep your feet on the ground while you do it.