Top 15 Important Boxing Techniques That Every Fighter Needs To Improve

To be a successful boxer, you need to know the proper techniques. There are many different boxing techniques that you can use in the ring, but some are more important than others. Some you learn right away, while others come gradually over time.

The Stance

The stance is the foundation of every punch you throw and every defense you make. You need to be in the correct position to generate power and balance. There are different types of stances that you can use depending on your boxing style.

You can either use the orthodox style if you are right-handed or the southpaw if you are left-handed. As you progress, you will probably learn both and switch them up when the need arises. You should find a stance that is comfortable for you and that allows you to move quickly.

Here are some essential things to keep in mind when finding your stance:

• Your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
• Your weight should be balanced on both feet.
• Your knees should be slightly bent.
• Your hands should be up by your chin, with your elbows close to your body.

Keep Your Hands Up!

This is one of the most important things that you need to do to be successful in boxing. You need to keep your hands up at all times, even when you are not punching. Your hands are your main defense against incoming punches.

If you lower them, you leave yourself open to being hit. Your coach will probably correct you constantly and remind you to keep your hands up. Keep your elbows close to your body and tuck your chin down so that you are looking at your opponent over your gloves.

This will protect your head from getting hit. You should also relax your shoulders and keep them down so that you can move quickly and throw punches with power. The next time you are in the ring, make sure that you keep your hands up!

Jab, Jab, Jab!

The jab is one of the most important punches in boxing. It is a quick, straight punch that you throw with your lead hand. The jab can be used to keep your opponent at a distance, set up other punches, score some easy points in a fight, or measure the distance between you and your opponent.

It is also a very powerful punch if you throw it correctly. Having a good jab alone is enough to win a fight if your opponent doesn’t know how to defend against it. Use these pro tips on how to throw a perfect jab:

• Extend your arm and snap your fist forward quickly.
• Keep your elbow close to your body and tuck your chin down so that you are looking at your opponent over your glove.
• Rotate your shoulder and put all of your weight behind the punch. Be careful not to stay exposed.
• Follow through with the punch.
• Get back quickly into your stance.

The Cross

The cross is a punch that you throw with your rear hand. But more advanced boxers also execute it with the front hand to surprise the opponent. It is a powerful punch that can knock your opponent out if you hit them on target. Also, this punch requires some knowledge of basic boxing techniques to be able to execute it right.

Here are some tips on how to throw a perfect cross:

• Start by shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot.
• As you shift your weight, extend your arm and snap your fist forward quickly.
• Keep your elbow close to your body and tuck your chin down so that you are looking at your opponent over your glove.
• Rotate your shoulder and put all of your weight behind the punch.
• Follow through with the punch.

The Hook

The hook is a powerful punch that you throw with your rear hand or your front hand. It is an important punch in boxing that can knock your opponent out if you hit them correctly. You should aim for the opponents’ side of the head, the chin, or the body. The hooks to the opponent’s liver can be deadly and hard to recover from.

Use these pro tips on how to throw a perfect hook:

• Start by shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot.
• As you shift your weight, twist your hips so that your shoulder and fist are facing the side of your opponent’s head.
• Extend your arm and snap your fist forward quickly.
• Keep your elbow close to your body and tuck your chin down so that you are looking at the opponent over your glove.
• Rotate your shoulder and put all of it behind the punch.
• Follow through with the punch.

The Uppercut

The uppercut is a punch that you throw with your rear or your front hand. If you hit your opponent straight on the chin, you are most likely to knock them out. It is also quite tricky to defend against a well-placed uppercut.

Use these pro tips on how to throw a perfect uppercut:

• Start by shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot.
• As you shift your weight, twist your hips so that your shoulder and fist are facing the side of your opponent’s head.
• Squat down slightly.
• Extend your arm and snap your fist forward quickly.
• Keep your elbow close to your body and tuck your chin down so that you are looking at the opponent over your glove.
• As you are throwing the punch, start standing up from the slight squat.
• Rotate shoulder and put all of behind the punch.
• Follow through with the punch.

As you can see, the technique for the uppercut is very similar to the hook.

Head Movement

One of the most important things you can do in boxing is to move your head. This will help you avoid getting hit by punches and will also give you a better view of your opponent so that you can counter their punches. Always keep in mind that a moving target is harder to get.

And more important, when the opponent tries to hit and misses, he spends a lot of energy doing it. So he spend even more energy if he was getting the target. So let your opponent get tired.

Use these pro tips on how to move your head while sparring or fighting:

• Keep your eyes on your opponent at all times.
• Duck down when they throw a punch.
• Do not overexaggerate the head movement. A slight move to either side can make your opponent miss.
• Always move to the outside of your opponents’ punch/fist.
• Move from side to side so that they cannot predict where you will be.
• Throw punches while you are moving so that they cannot focus on one area.

Defense

Defense is just as important as offense in boxing. You need to be able to defend yourself from punches and also counter your opponent’s punches. There is a reason why Floyd Mayweather has 50 wins and 0 defeats. It is due to his bulletproof defense.

Use these pro tips on how to defend yourself while sparring or in a match:

• Keep your hands up at all times.
• Block punches with your gloves.
• Use your elbows and shoulders to block punches.
• Move around so that you are not a stationary target.
• Lean back when they throw a punch so that it does not connect with your face.

These are just some of the most important defense techniques that you need to know to be a successful boxer. Practice these techniques often and avoid trying to tough through the punches. Sooner or later, you won’t be able to take any more punches, which will cause you to get knocked out.

Footwork – Creating Angles

Footwork is one of the most important aspects of boxing. It allows you to create angles so that you can throw punches and also helps you avoid getting hit by punches. Circling around your opponent will help you throw punches from where they least expect it.

Use these pro tips on how to use footwork to your advantage:

• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot when you throw a punch.
• Move around so that you are not a stationary target.
• Use your feet to help you duck, weave, and move around your opponent.
• Practice moving side to side and in and out so that you can create angles.

Just take a look at Vasyl Lomachenko or Manny Pacquiao. Their footwork and angle creation in matches are out of this world. It is one of the main reasons why they win so many fights.

Twist Your Hips

When you throw a punch, you want to make sure that you are using your whole body and not just your arm. This will give you more power and also help you keep your balance. Since most of your power production generates in your hips, you need to use them to their full extent.

Use these pro tips on how to twist your hips effectively:

• As you are throwing the punch, push off from your rear leg.
• Twist your hips which will, in turn, twist your torso.
• By twisting your torso, you are generating more power than a sole punch could ever do.
• Be sure to do exercises that work on your hip power production (deadlifts, squats, hip thrusts).

Be Relaxed

It is important to be relaxed when you are boxing. This will help you throw punches with more power and also help you avoid getting tired. The more relaxed you are, the less tense you get. Since you are less tense, you also use less of the available oxygen you have in your body.

Use these pro tips on how to relax during a sparring session or a match:

• Shake out your arms and legs before you start boxing.
• Take deep breaths and exhale slowly.
• Focus on your breathing and try to keep your body loose.
• Avoid tensing up when you are throwing punches.
• Practice relaxing your body so that you can do it in the ring.

Patience Is The Key

One of the most important things to remember in boxing is to be patient. This means not rushing in and throwing punches wildly. You need to take your time, wait for an opportunity, and then throw a punch with power. Patience is a key part of the strategy that will help you win fights.

Use these pro tips on how to be patient:

• Don’t rush in and try to slug it out with your opponent.
• Take your time and wait for an opportunity.
• Look for openings so that you can throw a punch with power.
• Practice patience so that you can do it in the ring.

Use Feints

A feint is a fake punch that is used to trick your opponent. It can be used to set up a real punch or to make your opponent move so that you can create an opening (the opponent opens his defense). It can also help you close the distance to your opponent without much danger of a counter punch. Use these pro tips on how to use feints:

• Use your eyes and body language to fake a punch.
• Make sure that your feints are believable.
• Feint early and feint often
• Practice feints so that you can do them in the ring.

Distance Control

It is important to control the distance when you are boxing. You want to make sure that you are close enough to throw punches but not so close that your opponent can hit you. The person that controls distance better is the person who will most likely win the fight.

Use these pro tips on how to control the distance effectively:

• Use your feet to move in and out.
• Don’t let your opponent get too close.
• Jab often to measure distance and keep your opponent at bay.
• Practice moving around so that you can find the right distance.

Learn To Fight Based On Your BodyType

There are different body types in boxing, and you need to learn how to fight based on your own body type. Some people are more suited for long-range fighting, while others are better at close range.

Use these pro tips on how to fight based on your body type:

• If you have a longer reach, you want to keep your opponent at a distance.
• If you have a shorter reach, you want to get in close so that you can land punches.
• Practice fighting against opponents with different body types.
• If you are small and fast, you most likely need to throw a big volume of punches (for example, Manny Pacquiao)
• If you are big and strong, you can most likely count on your one-punch knockout power (for example, Deontay Wilder)

Conclusion

These are just some of the most important techniques that you need to know to be a successful boxer. Practice these techniques and continue to learn more about the sport so that you can become a better boxer. And remember, learn the basics first and learn them well. These techniques list is pretty basic but also very valuable during a fight. You know how they say: “Practice makes perfect.”