Combat Footwork
In boxing, mixed martial-arts, and thai boxing, footwork is an often overlooked aspect of a complete fighter's arsenal.
When comparing two fighters in combat, it quickly becomes apparent who has superior footwork, and how that will affect the outcome of a fight.
In simple terms, solid footwork will quickly and effectively take you where you want to go, and take you away from where you do not want to be.
This allows you to set up your strikes and counters, it allows you to adjust small distances and create angles, it allows you to make transitions for kicking and takedowns, and it saves you from having to stand and trade with an inferior opponent.
All of these are top notch reasons to take your footwork very seriously! If you are a fighter with some training under your belt, and you are looking to improve your striking, stand-up and transition game, then superior footwork is the key to opening that door.
Once you know the fundamental components of footwork, there are no shortcuts for improving, you have to put in the time and effort.
Below are some strategies and tactics you can incorporate into your daily training so that your footwork can enhance the rest of your game.
The first way to improve your footwork is to focus solely on footwork drills and practice during training.
It's not uncommon for a good fighter to spend 15-20 minutes a workout focused on footwork drills and footwork shadowboxing.
This goes with the old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, pay attention to your footwork and make that link as strong as you can.
Second, incorporate active footwork into all aspects of your training such as bag work, takedowns, kicking and sparring.
Spend rounds moving a bit more than usual.
Switch up from an offensive mindset, to a counter-attacking mindset, to a defensive mindset and watch how your footwork changes.
Third, watch pros in your sport during their fights (old and new).
Watch Roy Jones, Mayweather, Ali, Tyson (for inside footwork).
Study Anderson Silva and GSP.
Notice what they do, and incorporate it into your training.
Fourth, if you are focused on one style, then try to open up and learn from a variety of disciplines such as Muay Thai, wrestling, fencing, and other martial arts.
The top MMA fighters of today, such as A.
Silva and GSP, have primarily adopted a boxing style of footwork with components of Muay Thai and wrestling for various transitions.
Fifth, train plyometric and agility drills to improve your capacity to sustain a high pace in training and in competition.
When comparing two fighters in combat, it quickly becomes apparent who has superior footwork, and how that will affect the outcome of a fight.
In simple terms, solid footwork will quickly and effectively take you where you want to go, and take you away from where you do not want to be.
This allows you to set up your strikes and counters, it allows you to adjust small distances and create angles, it allows you to make transitions for kicking and takedowns, and it saves you from having to stand and trade with an inferior opponent.
All of these are top notch reasons to take your footwork very seriously! If you are a fighter with some training under your belt, and you are looking to improve your striking, stand-up and transition game, then superior footwork is the key to opening that door.
Once you know the fundamental components of footwork, there are no shortcuts for improving, you have to put in the time and effort.
Below are some strategies and tactics you can incorporate into your daily training so that your footwork can enhance the rest of your game.
The first way to improve your footwork is to focus solely on footwork drills and practice during training.
It's not uncommon for a good fighter to spend 15-20 minutes a workout focused on footwork drills and footwork shadowboxing.
This goes with the old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, pay attention to your footwork and make that link as strong as you can.
Second, incorporate active footwork into all aspects of your training such as bag work, takedowns, kicking and sparring.
Spend rounds moving a bit more than usual.
Switch up from an offensive mindset, to a counter-attacking mindset, to a defensive mindset and watch how your footwork changes.
Third, watch pros in your sport during their fights (old and new).
Watch Roy Jones, Mayweather, Ali, Tyson (for inside footwork).
Study Anderson Silva and GSP.
Notice what they do, and incorporate it into your training.
Fourth, if you are focused on one style, then try to open up and learn from a variety of disciplines such as Muay Thai, wrestling, fencing, and other martial arts.
The top MMA fighters of today, such as A.
Silva and GSP, have primarily adopted a boxing style of footwork with components of Muay Thai and wrestling for various transitions.
Fifth, train plyometric and agility drills to improve your capacity to sustain a high pace in training and in competition.