I just read in Joe Frasier's book that a lot of trainers will tell you to line your shoulder up with your opponent so they have a smaller target, but that its wrong and you should square up more.

My trainer tells us exactly that... Is Joe going more off opinion here or is that accurate? I've noticed watching fights that most seem to be almost squared up. What do some of you use or train your fighters to use?

I started very square on and have now perfected my own style that comprises doing what the **** I want in whatever situation... so my trainers dont even bother telling me to stand whatever way anymore, cos they know that when I sparr I switch my style to suit my opponent anyway, so they are never gonna get me completely down to 1 style.

joe frazier was a pro and we're all amateurs, that might have a little to do with it. though my trainer teaches me to do whatever feels right, which for me is having my shoulders almost square.

joe frazier was a pro and we're all amateurs, that might have a little to do with it. though my trainer teaches me to do whatever feels right, which for me is having my shoulders almost square.


I guess, but his book is geared to new boxers and he was pretty clear about thinking that was wrong. I guess its just something people disagree on. Squaring my shoulders feels more comfortable to me too... but i can see advantages to staying sideways. Especially outside. Closer in I'd think you almost have to square up more.

it seems to me that if you stand more sideways you will have more range with your jab and also be able to get your legs into your straight right hands better

adaptability is best.

standing sideways leaves your back more open - not a good thing. it also reduces your options greatly.

so, if your opponent finds it difficult to box you sideways, then turn sideways.



there is never just one way.

well as a amateur you mostly are boxing around and it based on per hit so it better to stand sides but adapting to something is best of all and now when to stand sidway or square because when standing sqaure you could also hit your oppenet better with you right hand.

as for me as southpaw the when standing sideways the distance between my left hand and my opponent is abit far so i gotta choose my shot well carefully or I will be coutered easily

the way i understand it the more square on you are the more it opens up your shoulders and the more power u will get but also you become easier to hit.. the more side on the less power and more jab orientated u have to be. also alot harder to hit. pick whatever suits u

Probably best to adapt.

But I think its 45 degrees

I just read in Joe Frasier's book that a lot of trainers will tell you to line your shoulder up with your opponent so they have a smaller target, but that its wrong and you should square up more.

My trainer tells us exactly that... Is Joe going more off opinion here or is that accurate? I've noticed watching fights that most seem to be almost squared up. What do some of you use or train your fighters to use?

Angelo Dundee gave this advice to MAnfredo in the first contender have your shoulder lined up with your opponent, and Dundee was some trainer

How are you going to be able to throw and of the punches coming from the rear hand ?

Frazier's stance is for slugger-types I think. I know that at Frazier's gym, the trainer teaches me to stand square. At another gym for pro's though called Schulas, the trainer teaches people to stand sideways.

If you're a puncher then stand square. If you're not, then stand sideways is wat I figure.

If you line up your shoulders, you lose the use of your right hand unless you are really quick, but gain faster use of the left and better body coverage. If you square up, the right comes off quicker, but with less power, and the body is more open. Depends on the fighter whether it is better to square or not. Joe Frazier had great body movement and power in both hands. As a smaller guy, he had to be able to use both hands and get inside, but he had the strength to pull if off. You've got to try different strategies to find the one that works best for you.....