The Ideal Boxing Stance Explained!
The Ideal Boxing Stance Explained!
The Ideal Boxing Stance Explained!
About the Boxing Stance
In basic terms, boxing consists of about 40 individual boxing techniques. These techniques or 'skill elements' include feet movements (footwork), punches (shots), body movements and hand defenses. The top boxers combine these skills in what is often a breathtakingly effective display of how to overcome an opponent. The need for balance, mobility and a sound body shape cannot be emphasized enough and only an effective boxing stance will allow these needs to be met. If you understand the boxing stance, and understand why it is so important, then you will be able to more easily develop the footwork, punches and defensive actions necessary to constitute an effective boxing style.
There are two types of stance in boxing; orthodox and southpaw. An orthodox fighter is someone who is naturally right-handed and holds the left hand and left leg in front, closer to the opponent. Conversely, a southpaw fighter is someone who is naturally left-handed and leads with the right hand and right leg. If you are a beginner and right-handed, don't get caught up in the feeling that you are more comfortable using the southpaw stance. If you are right-handed you are orthodox, if you're left-handed you are a southpaw.
The Mechanics of the Boxing Stance
Before you start, place a line of tape on the floor. This tape will provide a point of reference to work with. Also, click on this link to view the boxing techniques video on the boxing stance, but be sure to understand the written description presented here as well as viewing the video.
The basics of the ideal boxing stance are as follows:
1. The feet should be at least shoulder width apart and a little more if you feel you need it. The front foot should be at an angle of 45 degrees to the tape line (toe on the line). The tape line runs from the toe on the front foot to the heel on the back foot. By ensuring that the feet are slightly offset and a comfortable distance apart, you provide the best possible base upon which to develop the full position.
2. Remain slightly on the toes on both feet. Never allow the back foot to go flat, otherwise you'll have the mobility of a house brick! Ensure that the knees are bent slightly and relaxed, again maximizing the ability to be mobile.
3. If you imagine the face of a clock on the floor with the opponent at 12 o'clock, then in an orthodox boxer the left shoulder should be at 11 o'clock and the right shoulder at 5 o'clock. This minimizes the amount of target visible to the opponent and also maximizes the available leverage on your right hand shots.
4. The hands should be at cheek level, turning the palms of the hands very slightly toward your face which has the effect of drawing the elbows in to provide protection to the body. The hands should be in a fist, but not 'clenched' as being relaxed is key.
5. The chin should be rested on the chest, again without becoming tense. Effectively, you look 'through' the eyebrows. Punches on the chin often have a very undesirable effect, so you should try to keep it out of the way of shots if at all possible (punches landing hight up on the head cause us fewer problems.)
6. The body weight should remain central or on the back leg. The body weight should not 'go over' the front leg. A simple way to nail this is to not allow your nose to go past the line of your front knee.
Common Faults with the Boxing Stance
When maintaining the boxing stance, the following faults are often observed in boxers, particularly in newcomers to the sport:
1. Turning the shoulders 'square on', thereby offering the opponent a much greater target to hit.
2. Losing the imaginary line from the toe on the front foot to the heel on the back foot allowing the feet to align. This would be like trying to fight whilst on a tightrope and will land you in trouble!
3. Going flat-footed thereby reducing mobility.
4. Allowing the chin to rise above the height of the raised hands, thereby increasing the chances of being clipped on he chin!
5. Allowing your body weight to transfer onto the front leg, thereby being "front-heavy" and vulnerable to attack. In the case of attack, your body weight is likely to be going forward and will then increase the impact of incoming shots.
So there you have it, my small contribution to providing a worthwhile description of the ideal boxing stance (remember as well that you canclick on this link to view theboxing techniques video on the boxing stance. I have described this in the orthodox position, but this can be easily transposed to the southpaw stance. To those southpaws out there, statistically about 1 in 9 of you, please don't take offence at my apparent favoritism towards orthodox boxers, this is truly not the case! I appreciate the wondrous mysteries of all things southpaw and fully intend to address these mysteries in subsequent articles!
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