Teaching someone the fundamentals of boxing. Is there a right order?

[4truth]

Footwork first. Anyone can go in winging punches.

you really can’t punch till you can coordinate your feet/balance with what your hands are doing.

[OctoberRed]

you really can’t punch till you can coordinate your feet/balance with what your hands are doing.

Exactly, or else it ends up like a BKFC fight

[medic5678]

How many times have we seen a "great new fighter" who had crap for footwork? I remember as ESPN fight with a huge, strong guy who had knocked out his 10 or so prior opponents. He had a tremendous punch. He was fighting a journeyman fighter and this guy had halfway decent footwork. He tore this invincible guy apart in about 2 rounds. Maybe it was the first round. No footwork, you will get murdered. I always enjoyed the footwork of Larry Holmes, who was a better heavyweight than he's often given credit for. Of course, Ali was the king of footwork. Hell, he could fight going backwards.

[PerfectJab]

How many times have we seen a "great new fighter" who had crap for footwork? I remember as ESPN fight with a huge, strong guy who had knocked out his 10 or so prior opponents. He had a tremendous punch. He was fighting a journeyman fighter and this guy had halfway decent footwork. He tore this invincible guy apart in about 2 rounds. Maybe it was the first round. No footwork, you will get murdered. I always enjoyed the footwork of Larry Holmes, who was a better heavyweight than he's often given credit for. Of course, Ali was the king of footwork. Hell, he could fight going backwards.

Ok, we all seem to agree footwork comes first. The more hours spend on it the better.

But then? Is there a preferred teaching method, teach all the punches immediately or are some punches reserved for when the complete beginners' coördination has improved?
And is learning to parry and block first more useful for a beginner than to slip punches?

[medic5678]

Ok, we all seem to agree footwork comes first. The more hours spend on it the better.

But then? Is there a preferred teaching method, teach all the punches immediately or are some punches reserved for when the complete beginners' coördination has improved?
And is learning to parry and block first more useful for a beginner than to slip punches?

My vote is the jab is first. Get a fighter who can move his feet and jab well? You've got something to work with. Sure, you need to work on all the punches, but jabbing deserves a good 80% of the time, while moving the feet and slipping punches. The fighter would have to be serious and realize Rome wasn't built in a day. Hard to say that there's one right way for all fighters.

[Lomadeaux]

Ok, we all seem to agree footwork comes first. The more hours spend on it the better.

But then? Is there a preferred teaching method, teach all the punches immediately or are some punches reserved for when the complete beginners' coördination has improved?
And is learning to parry and block first more useful for a beginner than to slip punches?

Lol.. agree? Anyone who wants to learn how to box needs to learn how to step and move first... and I'm not talking 10 minutes. I'm talking 10 days. Then comes throwing the jab, then the right hand, then the hook, etc. All learning how to shift weight while punching, etc.

That's how you teach a fighter.

[CornerCutman]

I think after footwork and jab you also, then, have to consider the natural attributes of the fighter. With footwork (which for me includes pivoting) and a jab I might move onto controlling distance and the ring. In other words, how to use that jab and footwork around the ring, adding in the right cross here since it can help keep a guy off you. If you have great footwork but constantly back up to the ropes, it won't be of great use.

Then, defense in the pocket - slipping, catching, parrying, etc and then off that, countering. But hey, my trainer tossed me in there my first day, I got the crap kicked out of me and though I think I know the theory of the sport well, I'm a talentless hack LOL

[4truth]

I have started to teach a family member the basics of boxing, just for fun

if this is what you are really doing, don’t subject them to a lot of tedious and boring step drills. Teach them to throw some proper punches and see if any real interest develops,

[Tails]

I always teach the younger ones in my family things in this order.

Moving around (without crossing feet) while pumping out a jab (variations) with the occasional straight being thrown. I will follow them around with the mitts or just work with them without gloves in a light sparring mimic.

I also chase them down and force them to engage in close. Start exchanging with them on the inside. Of course all light punches being thrown. I want them to get comfortable and know how to read the shots. Eventually I show them how to start throwing back.

Patience is most important though when teaching someone.

[PerfectJab]

if this is what you are really doing, don’t subject them to a lot of tedious and boring step drills. Teach them to throw some proper punches and see if any real interest develops,

This is something I always struggle with, no matter what I am teaching someone...
I have the tendency to get somewhat fanatical when it comes to proper technique, whether it is teaching boxing or how to drill hole in the wall. So I can be somewhat of a 'killjoy'. I am trying to learn just to bite my tongue now when asked to teach something.