Footwork Drills

[Ralph_Wiggum]

Are there any good footwork drills that would help me develop good foot/hip movement for good punching?

From what I understand, the basic principles are to step first w/ your lead foot and follow w/ your rear foot and for hooks, you want to get as much of your hip whirl into the tight (elbow 90 degrees) hook as possible. I figure anything that helps develop those principles as instinct, while helping you keep your balance, is good.

Also, I have a footwork question: When you are boxing or sparring...is it ok to switch your lead foot during combinations? Like when you circle the other way or when you throw a hook with a different hand for example?

Any tips would be great. Thanks.

 

[Ralph_Wiggum]

ttt

 

[Snypr]

Footwork or other drills are way harder to explain in words than they are to show you.
I'll try to explain one off the top of my head. Take some surgical tubing(cheap to buy);tie one end around your lead ankle. Move your other foot back until you are in a good stance with feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Tie the other end to your other ankle, being careful to only stretch the tubing a small bit.
Now, do some other training; light sparring,bagwork,shadowboxing or whatever. Every time your feet get too far apart, you'll feel it in the extra tension you're putting on the tubing. When they're too close(even worse), you will feel no tension, so you adjust.
It's very awkward for a while, but it will get you in the habit of keeping your feet the correct distance apart, giving you a stable base.
Some guys use string or thin rope, because it keeps them from ever getting too far apart, but when they're too close, you can't tell unless you look down or look at a mirror & see the string touching the floor. Besides, in some cases, you will want to have your feet wider.
Now, switching feet while throwing combos has never been endorsed by any coach I know since it's possible to throw a hook with either hand; just more difficult with the rear hand, and not as much effect. Also, when you switch feet, for a split second you are vulnerable to being knocked or pushed off balance. However, even though I haven't seen it taught, guys do it all the time.
Hope the explanations made sense.

 

[Judo Tom]

i wonder if that would work for judo..

maybe something like this.. say i tie my feet up with the tube.. then have someone repeatedly try to throw me or sweep me or just fake attacks and move me around..

i know at times i have to do whatever it takes to not get thrown but it would be beneficial to know when i am leaving my feet in a less then stellar position..

You must spread some Karma around before giving it to Snypr again.

 

[Snypr]

i wonder if that would work for judo..

maybe something like this.. say i tie my feet up with the tube.. then have someone repeatedly try to throw me or sweep me or just fake attacks and move me around..

i know at times i have to do whatever it takes to not get thrown but it would be beneficial to know when i am leaving my feet in a less then stellar position..

You must spread some Karma around before giving it to Snypr again.

If you try it out and it's helpful for Judo too, let me know. I'm trying to decide on a martial art. I'm torn between Judo, Muay Thai, and JJ. I'm taking in info, watching as much as possible, and prepping myself physically.

 

[Ralph_Wiggum]

awesome post snypr. Thanks.

 

[Snypr]

No prob, man

 

[Judo Tom]

If you try it out and it's helpful for Judo too, let me know. I'm trying to decide on a martial art. I'm torn between Judo, Muay Thai, and JJ. I'm taking in info, watching as much as possible, and prepping myself physically.

have you gone to check out any local classes in your area?

and dont worry about prepping yourself physically go as soon as you have found a school you like or your just wasting time getting in shape and learning skills.

 

[Snypr]

have you gone to check out any local classes in your area?

and dont worry about prepping yourself physically go as soon as you have found a school you like or your just wasting time getting in shape and learning skills.

I think I better give ya some more info. In the past two years I've gotten into the worst shape I've been in, in my life. It would surely be an embarrasment unless I got back somewhere close to a respectable range.
I haven't checked out any classes yet, but the best place I've seen in the area teaches Gracie. They have commercials inserted in every other commercial break on Ultimate Fighter. The place they train in happens to be the same gym where I learned what little Shorin-Ryu I know from way back.
That's my main option unless widen my circle and travel to learn something else. I may do that, because eventually, I would like to learn all three.
Or does that sound possible, or reasonable?

 

[Judo Tom]

i know what your saying and understand but TRUST me you are better off getting on the mat ASAP. running/lifting/etc all help your endurance on the mat but nothing gets you in shape for grappling better then grappling.

i would go check out that gracie school and talk to the instructor. tell that you are interested but feel you would rather get in better shape first and i bet that he tells you to just get on the mat. also you dont know you may go check out a class and see that there are lots of new or out of shape people there and realize that it wouldnt be a problem.

the last 2 people to join my class were both like mid 40s and one was about 40lbs over weight and the other around 30 both are picking up really quick.

so long as you are on the mat giving your best effort there is really no need for a beginner to even worry about there endurance.. it will come..

Good luck!