Do you drag your foot when you step?

[outsidethebox]

A couple books and websites I've come across tell you to "slide" or "drag" your foot when taking the second step in basic boxing footwork--in other words, step with your "lead" foot, then drag with your "rear" foot to return to your original stance.

Do you literally drag your rear foot on the floor, or do you raise it enough that it doesn't touch the floor while stepping? What are the advantages and disadvantages or either approach?

[King of Sting]

You drag it, but, be light on your feet. Because, when you step in, and you're still not able to get the ideal range, you would need to get back on D right away to take away your opponents counter-strike.

In other words, practice your in n' out, not just stepping forward and stopping where you plant. Once you've gotten a feel where you need to be to hit the target, then that's when you plant and dig.

[SpeedKillz]

in a sense, you do drag your foot, yes. your foot should never fully leave the ground because thats when youre at your most vulnerable, even if just for a second, a good fighter will pop you and it'll be a flash knockdown, plain and simple. its not a literal drag where your foot is flat on the ground and you just drag it behind you, but it kinda glides along the floor while keeping you in your stance at all times, while on your toes and light on your feet at all times...

[Alx.]

i do yes, but most of the times i pick it up when moving

[mr.thraz]

------yes---------

[EdMon917]

Dragging it has become a habit so yes.

[dutchschaffer]

Always have and originally thought it was a bad thing cos i'd transferred it over from martial arts but if these guys are saying its good then happy days!

[mrjoeblive]

in addition to all the above points, you drag so that you can go on the offensive or defensive quickly. you can sit on your punches if you drag as opposed to stepping. former champ jimmy paul always said to drag the foot so you can spring into action. good question hope it helps.

[frosty-g]

A couple books and websites I've come across tell you to "slide" or "drag" your foot when taking the second step in basic boxing footwork--in other words, step with your "lead" foot, then drag with your "rear" foot to return to your original stance.

Do you literally drag your rear foot on the floor, or do you raise it enough that it doesn't touch the floor while stepping? What are the advantages and disadvantages or either approach?

absolutely not.
it's a slow way to get your back foot into position, cutting out fluidity, affecting balance, slowing down handspeed and reducing power. just try it and see what happens.
anybody got any suggestions for possible advantages? nah.

[frosty-g]

glides along the floor while keeping you in your stance at all times

gliding is by definition not dragging, therefore what you are saying is that the foot should leave contact with the ground.