Footwork Drills That Every Boxer Must Practice

Boxing is becoming increasingly common because of mainstream media. Where other combat-based games were discouraged, boxing received a lot of applause because of the safe rule structure and easy-to-follow practice regime. Additionally, boxing has proved to be ideal for weight loss, self-defense, and toning down the body. According to most fitness instructors, boxing is a brilliant way to stimulate your body and keep it active. Additionally, boxing helps you burn those extra calories that you want to get rid of. However, for most people, boxing is not just a simple hobby; they want to step out of their comfort zone and healthily lead their life. For a hobbyist, boxing just means spending quality time with yourself, clearing your mind, giving yourself a little break, or simply kicking off the day with an active start. However, if you are looking for a profession, you need to step up the game and work on your footwork drills. We have seen that most fighters are thinking that to get better, they just need to increase time, but the actual matter is that they need to improve their technique with time, or they will be stuck at the same level.

When it comes to boxing, your mind and body need to stay coordinated, and they need to act accordingly. According to most people, punching is the main thing in boxing, but instructors say that footwork plays a very important role and cannot be ignored. For beginners who are still trying to figure out what can be done, it is very important to dig deeper into various exercises that can help with the practice and improving the technique. To help the beginner, we have jotted down some basic footwork drills that are very important and must be kept in mind while practicing.

Static Position Blocking Technique

We have seen that to block the punch, people run or move too much, but what if the situation is different and you don’t have the time to move too much. That’s where the static block comes in, the fighter needs to block first and then throw the punch, and this will help in gaining control and maintaining balance. Additionally, your static block practice will help you maintain a good balance so that you can bear up even if you receive a punch.

Steps of Practice

• Start with finding your balance and then taking deep breaths; keep your hands open don’t make a fist.
• Tell someone to throw a punch and then try to duck it down without moving; make sure your hold your ground.
• Without practice, most people fall, but if you have well enough practice, you will be able to stay up. You can practice with back-to-back punches as well, but if you get too excited, you might be able to lose the energy that you need for the game.

Tips to Follow

• Divide your weight on both feet and keep bouncing and shifting. Make sure your legs are straight, and your knees are relaxed.
• Keep your chin down but act like you are tall; this will give you a perspective.
• Stay relaxed. Don’t clench your fist or bend your knee.

Rope Jump Technique

We know that everyone keeps telling boxers to rope jump as much as they can, and it is a good way to stay moving. This is a simple, easy, and reliable method that almost everyone uses, and this helps you find the rhythm in your body as well. We all know that a good rhythm can save a lot of time, and you can block punches and stay unpredictable at the same time while doing footwork drills.

Steps of Practice

• Set a jump rope plan and start practicing for 15 minutes every day nonstop.
• Going up or going low is not a problem; you just need to find your body balance and move with it.
• There is no expert advice on jump rope because some people do it with both feet whereas others do it step by step.

Tips to Follow

• Skipping rope doesn’t mean you can skip breathing as well. Even if you are not breathing deep, shallow breathing will work fine as well.
• There is no good or bad, high or low, in skipping rope, just find your balance and keep going.
• For beginners, shortness of breath, fatigue, and loss of motivation are very common, but once you build your stamina, you will start to feel better.

Step and Drag Technique

We have seen instructors calling it to step drag technique or side-side technique, which is also right. We all know that footwork drills are not just jumping on your toes between two feet or shifting your weight; it is also the step drag. This technique helps you find balance and limit the movement, so you stand at one point. To dodge the punch or to block something, you are just supposed to keep your feet on the ground and move a little but not more than just a few inches.

Steps of Practice

• Keep your feet at 45 degrees and keep them apart. You can switch the feet after few minutes if you want and repeat the same.
• Every time you change your stance, try to find your balance right away. Take the help of your toes and step foot, now keep pushing your toe so you can drag your foot.
• Make sure your body and legs are relaxed. Don’t keep anything tight because you cannot keep your legs tight the whole game.
• Don’t step too far and don’t jump at any point; you need to practice keeping your weight on your feet.

 Tips to Follow

• Switch the visualization for each step; you need to start with micro reach, the switch to micro push, and then free-fall or any way you can help yourself stay at your feet.
• Try practicing your footwork drills while you throw punches; this will help you find the flow that you need for the game.
• Dragging feet too hard is quite common so try to keep your legs straight and your back straight as well. Bending the knee or pooping out the hips can cause fatigue and imbalance.
• Stay relaxed and easy; even if you gain speed, you need to make sure your speed and your balance keep up with your strategy.

Easy Shadowboxing

We all know shadowboxing and its importance. For every technique, there is an easy shadow boxing technique to help you polish your skill, but with footwork drills, there is no slid technique that can help you find your ground. We have seen people finding an easy but soli stance and mix and matching the basic technique with other things for collaboration. You can start with balance, then shifting on feet, and assist with some jumping rope exercise. Finally, you can end it up with pivots.

Steps of Practice

• Shadowboxing is pretty easy, but with everything going on, people usually don’t focus on steps but more on the punches.
• Keep flowing from movement to movement and with every movement sync with punch and body as well.
• Your flow needs to stay smooth; the first few times, you might see that you are thinking too much, but with practice, you would see progress.
• This is an ideal workout for posture as well as a fighting style that complements your calm nature.

Tips to Follow

• Measure your movement and limit them in the sphere and notice the way you are moving.
• Register your every move and get a second opinion so you can make it better.
• Your fighting skill needs to sync with your body, so look for the regular progress