Footwork plays an essential role in boxing. With fast feet, boxers can duck, get under their opponents’ crosses, and throw counter punches quickly without getting hurt. If you have aspirations as a boxer, use these tips to improve your footwork.

4 Tips for Enhancing Boxing Footwork

1. Tie Your Feet Together

To get used to keeping your feet together, tie a piece of thin rope or shoelace around both of your ankles with some slack. Practice maneuvering without taking large steps, as any big movements gives your opponent time to react instead of wondering what you’re doing next. Once you have small movements down, work on increasing your speed.

2. Shadowbox Daily

Shadowboxing gets you used to throwing punches, crosses, hooks, and jabs as you move your feet. Practice taking small steps when you throw punches, which helps you conserve energy. Also, practice bobbing and weaving as well as shuffling, or moving from side to side, so you become used to using your arms in different ways while staying on your toes.

3. Do Agility Drills

Take advantage of footwork tools like the agility ladder. Simply place the ladder on the floor and move through it quickly to improve your pace. You can also use the ladder for high knee exercises and single- and double-leg lateral pumps. The ladder gets you used to moving in dynamic ways while improving fluidity and rhythm.  

4. Practice Pivoting

Prepare to fight opponents larger than yourself with pivoting drills. If you’re too close to your opponent, for example, pivot your front foot while your back foot moves in the same direction. You’ll end up in your opponent’s blind spot, creating temporary confusion as you throw a punch at them or move away.

Boost your footwork and other boxing skills with the help of TM Productions in Honolulu, HI. Female boxer Tessa Moon takes on students to hone their abilities for the ring. She herself has trained under former California bantamweight champion Paris Alexander. Call (808) 291-7817 today to learn about her coaching services, or visit the website for more information on her expertise.