Do you drag your foot when you step?

[Rockin']

Good points, Cuauhtémoc. In every sport, the pros start to alter their technique to suit their personal styles. Amateurs need to master the fundamentals until they're good enough to start playing with the basics. A talented pro knows what he can get away with; an amateur learning the sport shouldn't try to change what he doesn't fully understand. The truth is, you can never go wrong with textbook technique.

what text book tells you to drag the back foot on a right hand? .............Rockin'

[CubanGuyNYC]

what text book tells you to drag the back foot on a right hand? .............Rockin'

I'm not sure we're on the same page (pardon the pun). I'm simply talking about basic boxing footwork, not exactly what happens when punches are delivered. I've read several books on boxing, in addition to training, and they all advocate a "shuffle" step. If you're moving left, you slide your left foot first, then close the distance with the rear foot. The same applies in reverse for the right side.

As for delivering a right, an orthodox fighter would be pushing off his rear (right) foot, turning at the waist and following through with the shoulders and hips. If he's throwing a one-two, the lead (left) foot would take a small step (barely leaving the ground) while delivering the jab, and the rear foot would typically shuffle behind as the fighter follows through.

I'll offer two references that I happen to see on my bookshelf at this moment: "Boxing - A Self-Instruction Manual" by Edwin L. Haislet and "Boxer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Boxing" by Doug Werner.

[Rockin']

I'm not sure we're on the same page (pardon the pun). I'm simply talking about basic boxing footwork, not exactly what happens when punches are delivered. I've read several books on boxing, in addition to training, and they all advocate a "shuffle" step. If you're moving left, you slide your left foot first, then close the distance with the rear foot. The same applies in reverse for the right side.

As for delivering a right, an orthodox fighter would be pushing off his rear (right) foot, turning at the waist and following through with the shoulders and hips. If he's throwing a one-two, the lead (left) foot would take a small step (barely leaving the ground) while delivering the jab, and the rear foot would typically shuffle behind as the fighter follows through.

I'll offer two references that I happen to see on my bookshelf at this moment: "Boxing - A Self-Instruction Manual" by Edwin L. Haislet and "Boxer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Boxing" by Doug Werner.

you guys just do as you please, it really does not affect me either way unless my boy had to square up with yours. Who the hell are Edwin L. Haislet and Doug Werner?........Rockin'

[CubanGuyNYC]

you guys just do as you please, it really does not affect me either way unless my boy had to square up with yours. Who the hell are Edwin L. Haislet and Doug Werner?........Rockin'

It's not our idea. Every book I've read, video I've watched or person I've been coached by says the same thing. As for the authors I cited, they may not be household names, but not too many famous coaches are associated with boxing manuals. Besides, it doesn't take a world-renowned trainer to impart basic boxing principles. The art of boxing is basically passed down through word-of-mouth. It's hard enough to find good basic manuals; it's even harder to find books on advanced boxing techniques.

[Mike Haynes]

Stay on your toes as much as you can and drag your back toes, not necessarily your whole foot. Your feet should not be flat on the ground anyway.

[Rockin']

It's not our idea. Every book I've read, video I've watched or person I've been coached by says the same thing. As for the authors I cited, they may not be household names, but not too many famous coaches are associated with boxing manuals. Besides, it doesn't take a world-renowned trainer to impart basic boxing principles. The art of boxing is basically passed down through word-of-mouth. It's hard enough to find good basic manuals; it's even harder to find books on advanced boxing techniques.

do you know why no famous trainer has printed a book? Because they don't want to give it away for free. The authors previously mentioned saw it as a way to make a buck and released upon the public a basic/genaric approach. Like I've said before, you guys go ahead and work with in that mental 2D box that you've created for yourselves. Once most are in the 3D world they will adapt as they or their trainers see fit. My training and theories upon the ring have been passed down to me and realized first hand in the heated exchanges between the bells, thousands of them. You guys will rarely catch a swift "dancer" with your methods of throwing a right hand. And if you do catch them the shot will consist of little more than arm power rather than generating the power from the back foot and carrying it up through your entire body and eventually exploding in the fist..........Rockin'

[outsidethebox]

Thanks everyone for the many constructive responses so far! Keep 'em coming!


Re boxing books, I think Doug Werner is more of a writer than a boxer, but the Boxer's Start-Up is co-authored by Alan Lachica:

"Alan Lachica is the coauthor of Boxer's Start-Up, Fighting Fit, and Fitness Training for Girls. He is a certified USA amateur-boxing coach and the owner of Bulldog Boxing Gyms."

It's not clear to me whether he's training boxers at a pro level, or more of a fitness/yuppie level.

Rocky: What are your credentials as a boxer/trainer? No disrespect intended with this question, but since I'm new to this forum, I don't know your background.

[Spartacus Sully]

every body understands that when you want to move to the left what your actualy doing is picking up the left foot and pushing off with the right, right?

i mean your not picking up the left moving it to the left and dragging the right over.

like if your moving forward you are picking up the front foot and pushing off with the back foot.

you dont pick up the front foot move it up then drag the back foot forward.

if ll your doing is reading from a book where it says that when you want to move right step with your right first its easy to get confused and think you are supposed to pick up your right foot, put it down then drag the left foot over to proper position, but really what they mean by step with the right foot first when moving to the right is that you should be picking up your right foot first and as its mid air you push off with your left foot kinda dragging it so everything moves as one. this way at anytime during the movement you can put your foot down and still be balanced and in proper stance.

balance is the most important aspect of foot work, if you arnt balanced then you are doing something wrong. but just the same you can add your own things into the foot work as long as you know it ensures you stay balanced.


now that we got that understood, yes you want to keep the foot you are pushing off with, as close to the ground as possible.

[Rockin']

Thanks everyone for the many constructive responses so far! Keep 'em coming!


Re boxing books, I think Doug Werner is more of a writer than a boxer, but the Boxer's Start-Up is co-authored by Alan Lachica:

"Alan Lachica is the coauthor of Boxer's Start-Up, Fighting Fit, and Fitness Training for Girls. He is a certified USA amateur-boxing coach and the owner of Bulldog Boxing Gyms."

It's not clear to me whether he's training boxers at a pro level, or more of a fitness/yuppie level.

Rocky: What are your credentials as a boxer/trainer? No disrespect intended with this question, but since I'm new to this forum, I don't know your background.

I fought amatuer for about 60 fights then fought 7 pro bouts. Then I refereed and judged for 8 years.

As far as training people I have yet to find somebody that has some true grit. They fall off quick when they see that I am not messing around. You will step into the ring to fight with me in your corner in great shape or I don't even want to talk to you................Rockin'

[Rockin']

now that we got that understood, yes you want to keep the foot you are pushing off with, as close to the ground as possible.

dragging the foot is slow. You can glide your foot just above the canvas and place it 6 inches or more infront of it's starting position and you will reach that position quicker by picking it up and moving it. "Stepping in with a right hand". You step in with your left foot jabbing as you push off of your back foot delivering the jab. You then PICK UP the back foot and move it forward as your right fist impacts at the same time that your foot lands on the canvas continuing to push the momentum forward with your head never going infront of your left knee.........Rockin'