There are all kinds of boxing footwork skills that we can drill. Movement in and out, lateral movement, pivots…the list goes on. There are boxing footwork techniques that we use, but it’s not really worth drilling them – the L-Step is one of those techniques.
What is the L-Step?
In this boxing coaching video we look at the footwork technique of the L-step. What is the L-Step, why do we use it and when do we use it. I also cover some other boxing footwork techniques that you can use as an alternative to the L-step.
Orthodox boxers use the L-step footwork technique as a way of disengaging, shifting to the right and re-engaging. In boxing, as an orthodox boxer, moving to the left can be done in a nice, smooth way. The same is not true when trying to move to the right.
As an orthodox, moving to the right and covering more ground quickly is not as smooth. The footwork techniques call for small, controlled movements. The L-step allows a bit more ground to be covered in one go.
The L-step is a boxing footwork technique that should only be used when out of range. L-stepping in punching range can leave you in a very vulnerable position, with no balance.
Don’t Drill This!
My view is that the L-Step is a boxing footwork technique is formed out of habit, over time. This is not a footwork technique that should be practiced with boxing drills. You would one far better spending your time drilling the other footwork techniques, such as side steps, pivots and so on.
This is not me saying “Don’t do the L-Step”.
All boxers do the L-step to a greater or lesser degree. This is me saying don’t bother practicing it.
Practice other boxing footwork techniques – the side step with a duck, the angled side step or diagonal movement forward and to the right. All of these footwork techniques enable movement to the right whilst maintaining pressure on the opponent.
In summary, the L-Step is a perfectly acceptable boxing footwork technique to use. Just recognise it as a habit, do it at the right time and remember the fact that it takes pressure off the opponent.
Cheers
Fran
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