Have you ever watched boxing? Notice how they are leaned slightly forward, standing on the balls of their feet, knees bent, feet about shoulder width apart, tip of the weak foot approximately 3-6" in front of the tip of the strong foot and their body is loose and relaxed. To find how much to bend your knees, I visualize a vertical line from my kneecap to the ball of the foot. The hips should be in a natural position with the back and your center of balance low over the balls of your feet. I prefer to have the front of the shoulders a minimum of an inch in front of the hips. I lean the entire upper body forward. If the shoulders are at or behind center you will not have any control over your shooting. You shouldn't feel any pressure on the back or neck muscles in this position. If you are, you most likely are leaning the shoulders forward but not rotating the hips with them. I breath through the stomach for shooting as upper body breathing disturbs the gun. I also try to maintain about 60% of my weight on the balls of my feet.Get into this shooting stance and have someone push against your outstretched hands. You want them to use a solid constant pressure. If they can push you over, you are too tight or your legs or elbows are locked. As more energy comes in make sure that you don't rock back on your heels. Your body will overcome it for you if you just let it; rotate the hips and upper body more and bend your knees slightly more.
This will show you how to apply positive forward tension with your whole body.
This is the way to the fastest shooting. Relaxed but in control.
Take care,
Matt BurkettYou can usually understand it in under 45 seconds and if you do get hit, you don't normally get knocked off your feet.
NOTE: Matt Burkett competes professionally in shooting and wrote this article as a shooting stance.
Just a few quick tips that could make the difference. When in your stance put your lead foot ahead of your head. Try as an example when standing in front of a heavybag, keep your back foot in the same place. Throw a jab slowly and keep it at its full extension, make it far enough away that your fist is short by a couple inches or so. Now move your front foot ahead of your head, throw the jab slowly and stop at its full extension. You should see the greater range that you now have. Keep your hands up and chin down. Try tucking your elbows in also to help protect your body.Don
TLD_TheLastDon1988@yahoo.com
It is very easy to learn a proper stance, but as a beginner, it is easy to forget, let your feet get spread too far apart and such. Without proper stance, your off balance, your punches lack power
This is not an advertisement. You might consider to use a training device such as Ringside's Fast Feet (Pictured below)
Another option is, make your own. Most of the spacer systems I've seen were homemade, They're not a common item.
If you are working with a trainer, you are less likely to need, but if you're teaching yourself, they can be useful.Remember, it is the bad habits that will hurt you in boxing.
FOOT PLACEMENT
Stand with feet a shoulder width apart.CENTER YOUR WEIGHT
Slightly bend your kneesHANDS IN THE GUARD POSITION
KEEP CHIN DOWN, EYES LOOKING FORWARD
