The success of a boxer depends on a good working knowledge of boxing basics and the ability to put it all together. Boxing basics form the technical foundation of your movements. Learning boxing basics and how to execute them requires strategy, quick thinking, and hand-eye coordination.
Stance & Footwork– In boxing, fists get the glory, but boxing basics start with your feet. Your footwork is the heart of your combinations. Regardless of where you move, you must predetermine the angle from which you’re going to land your combinations. To create a solid base, stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Stagger your feet to be balanced and move with ease. Right-handed people start with their left foot forward, and left-handed people start with their right. This will position your dominant hand further away from your opponent, allowing you to capitalize on your core’s rotational force with every punch also known as pivot. To improve try jumping rope. It helps your balance, footwork, punching power, muscle endurance, breathing efficiency, and muscle conditioning.
Head Movement- plays a vital role in any combination. You use it to move in angles, duck your opponent’s punch or lure your opponent. Head Movement is used in a variety of ways in a combination, such as for bobbing and weaving.
Range, Distance & Angles- Angles can make all the difference in a combination. The entire move set changes when you switch angles. For example, you can throw a combo while circling or can throw it while moving forward or backward.
Hand-eye Coordination- is key to boxing success. The ability to keep focus and split-second reaction times with your hands is essential to both offense and defense. Hand-eye coordination is often overlooked in training. You can enhance your skills through use of a double-end bag, doing the tennis ball catch drill, mitt work, and shadow boxing.
Rhythm- Rhythm is a key ingredient in a successful combination recipe. Using rhythm and breaking it is a great way to confuse your opponent.
Boxing Combinations– A good boxing combination refers to the usage of different punches in a certain pattern. Basic combo techniques are simple; however, they need to be practiced to the point you can perform them at any angle. You must master the combinations, so you can use them while moving forward, backward, or sideways. Practicing and shadowboxing allows you to experiment and input your own style on the combinations.
The most important thing to remember when creating the perfect boxing combination is that everything must flow together with the weight of the body as it moves forward or backward. All good punching combinations help each punch deliver the power of the whole body as it moves through each punch and sets your feet, hands, and body weight to prepare for the next punch. Your feet must always be moving with the punches. Boxing is the science of piecing together strength and conditioning, speed and style, power and tenacity, and strategy and skill to achieve victory.
