If you want to master angles in boxing there are footwork skills that you need to learn. These footwork skills will unlock different ways to drive angles against an opponent to unload serious boxing combinations.
In this video we use 4 different boxing footwork skills to drive 9 killer boxing combos. There is a boxing footwork drill pattern that I use in the video. If you want a template to lay down your own boxing footwork drill pattern, go and download my book The Beginner Boxer Toolkit here and I’ll include the template in my email.
The Boxing Pivot
In my opinion the pivot is the most versatile boxing footwork skill. You can use the pivot at all ranges and it’s a super-effective way to open punching angles in boxing. The check hook is a classic, letting that left hook go as you execute the pivot.
At close range, you can execute the pivot to open up angles on both your lead foot side and your rear foot side. As you pivot away to your lead foot side, you get an angle of attack the centreline of the opponent with your right hooks (or left hooks if you are a southpaw).
Boxing Combinations from Angles #1
Jab -> pivot left and hook -> right hook body -> right hook head
With this boxing combination you open up your angle to the lead foot side with the aim of shifting your angle under the cover of the jab and check hook to deliver the high power right hooks.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #2
Jab -> pivot right -> double left hook to the head
This boxing combination follows a similar concept of covering the angle change wiith the pivot under the jab – you need to step in with the jab to cover the ground.
No punching during the pivot, but we deliver that double left hook to the head when finishing the boxing combination.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #3
Right cross/lead foot step -> pivot left and hook
This 3rd boxing combination is a neat way of driving increased power in your right hand. Start the combination with your power right hand. As you throw the punch, step across with your lead foot. Your foot should land as your power right hand lands. Then you can check hook.
Angled Side Step
The angled side step is a classic for opening angles in boxing for long range punches. The angled side step is different from the conventional side step in that it allows you to keep the opponent firmly in your gun sights. The angle shift is subtle, but it makes a big difference in delivering those long range bombs.
A highly effective way to set up your angled side step is to start with either a jab or a feint as a trigger. This trigger action is about getting the opponent to do something, ideally throw their own punch. This means that you not only open up angles but you also set up a counter punching opportunity.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #4
Jab -> angled side step right -> jab -> right cross -> jab
So this is the classic counter punching sequence. Your first jab draws the response from the opponent and the final sequence (jab/cross/jab) should be thrown as you advance quickly and aggressively.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #5
Feint -> angled side step left -> right cross -> right cross
The feint is critical in this sequence. The feint must be convincing, ensuring that the opponent believes the punch is coming. The angle is opened with the angled side step left and then a high aggression double power right hand combination. Again, cover ground with the final punches of the boxing combination.
Retreat to Attack
Retreat to attack is a form of angled side step. The key is that you give ground to drive an attack. That sounds a bit contradictory, but it’s really effective. This skill is particularly effective against aggressive, strong opponents who like to drive forward up at close range.
Taking the retreat to attack method of opening up angles in boxing requires a cool head and precise timing. If you can give ground and open up the angle just as the opponent commits, then you can bring them on to your punches and increase the power generated.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #6
Right uppercut -> angled side step right (retreat) -> left hook body -> left hook head
So as well as opening up angles in boxing, this combination shows that by using retreat to attack you can also create space to unleash your punches.
The right uppercut is a shock tactic at the start of the boxing combination. If the opponent is fixed in place or if they drive forward, it doesn’t matter. Using the angled side step (retreat) gives you the angle and space to attack the centreline with hooks.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #7
Double left hook head -> angled side step left -> right hook head
The double left hook to the head in this boxing combination is all about scrambling the defenses of the opponent. In fact, the first left hook can be more of an action of pulling the guard hand of the opponent out of the way so that the second hook can land.
But the left hooks are just the start of the story. We want to use the angled side step left on the retreat so that you can attack the centreline with the crushing right hook. So, whilst we using hook punches, the angled side step means that we attack both flank (first hooks) and centreline (final hook).
The Stance Switch
When it comes to opening angles in boxing, the stance switch is a Mike Tyson style method of getting the job done. Tyson was electric when using the stance switch, leaving oppnents wondering where he had gone as the inevitable killer hook or uppercut was on the way.
The stance switch is exactly what it sounds like – you switch the position of your boxing stance, either driving an opposite stance on your lead foot stance (for example going from orthodox to southpaw or vice versa) or keeping the same stance but switching it to a different direction.
The stance switch is a close range skill. If you want to open up angles at longer range, go with the pivot or the angled side step – the stance switch won’t work unless the opponent has lost all constraint and is simply running at you.
Look to drive vicious hook and uppercut-based boxing combinations with high aggression from your stance switch.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #8
Jab -> inside slip/forward -> left hook -> stance switch -> double right hook
When it comes to Mike Tyson style combinations, speed and aggression are critical – unsurprisingly. So, with that slip and move forward with the left hook, cover the ground quickly in one movement.
Once you have executed the stance switch, unleash that double right hook. This again is opening up angles in boxing with high speed and aggression.
Boxing Combinations from Angles #9
Jab -> right uppercut -> stance switch right -> double left hook
Covering the ground from long range to mid range with the jab is important – you have to deliver that right uppercut with power. A sharp stance switch to the right then places you in the perfect position to deliver the double left hook to the head.
Angles in Boxing – A Final Word
The key thing about being successful at creating effective angles in boxing is to use the right footwork skill at the right range. The pivot can be used at all ranges. The angled side step is most effective at long range but the angled side step on the retreat is effective at close range. The stance switch is singularly effective at close range.
So, pick the right footwork skill for the right range and make sure you capitalise on the openings created for your angles in boxing.
I would love to get your thoughts on this below.
Cheers
Fran
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