The stance in the box and the position of the legs determine the effectiveness of attack, defense and movement. Determining what an ideal stance is is quite difficult, since there are many positions in boxing, but all of them work differently even with good performance.
The concept of an “ideal” stance in boxing implies not one specific position, but rather one that maximizes a boxer's strengths and minimizes his weaknesses. The ideal position should correspond to the individual style, skills and abilities of the boxer.
How to choose
When studying the question of how to properly stand in a boxing stance, you should remember that the best stance should provide a balance between several qualities important for this sport. An ideal boxing position will give:
- power and protection;
- variability of actions and balance;
- flexibility and protection;
- sustainability and mobility.
The correct boxing stance provides the strength of each strike, while at the same time it allows you to effectively defend against counterattacks. It allows you to reach the goal with any hand, without falling over, without becoming vulnerable and maintaining balance. It allows you to use a wider range of strokes. Finally, with its help it is much easier to stay in place, but at the same time it provides the ability to move if necessary.
Foot position
This aspect is probably the most important. All the advantages and disadvantages of shock, protection and mobility depend on it to a large extent. It is imperative to study the correct position of the legs first.
Foot alignment
The first thing a boxer should know when it comes to learning the basic classic boxing stance is the toe line (toe heel). The legs should be placed at a distance equal to the width of the shoulders (or several centimeters wider), and place them along the alignment line of the toe-heel.
Correct foot position provides good balance without sacrificing mobility.
Wrong position
If the toes of the legs are directed forward, the impact force, mobility are lost, the head and body remain unprotected. At the same time, the body is too far forward, therefore, it is difficult to turn the right hand properly, accordingly, the power is lost when applying the cross with both the right and the left hand. The hull will be practically unprotected, due to which almost all enemy attacks will reach the goal. In this case, it is also difficult to move backward and, on the other hand, it is easy to lose balance if the enemy strikes directly.
Too wide rack
This position has the same problems as the previous one. In this case, the body and head are most not protected along the center line. Limited mobility when moving backward. Impact strength when applying a jab is reduced. This position allows the enemy to deliver direct attacks in the midline. It can be difficult to defend against such attacks or to resist them if the enemy inflicts them at different levels in the head and body.
Too narrow rack
In this case, it is easy to lose balance with a left hook; it is difficult to reach the enemy with his right hand a boxer becomes vulnerable if the opponent leaves the jab.
This position is usually used by boxers with experience in other martial arts. The first problem is that when applying a strong right cross, the hand is too far away, which makes it difficult to achieve the goal when applying a single blow or in combination. The next problem is that in this case, the boxer will lose balance every time he puts the left hook.
This position is also vulnerable if the enemy straightened up and was out of reach of the strike. If the opponent puts his right foot outside the front foot of a boxer in this position, he will be able to calmly strike with both hands. At the same time, for a fighter in such a boxing stance, the distance will be too close to do any damage using a jab. In this case, you will have to constantly block the enemy’s attacks or run away (which is often the only advantage of this position).
Too far distance
Sometimes boxers take a position that distinguishes too much distance between the front and rear legs. This situation negatively affects balance and mobility. Many boxers believe that this kind of position will provide them with a better balance, but in fact this is wrong.
Improving this aspect will provide a low rather than a broader position. On the contrary, a boxer in such a stance is much easier to unbalance. Another problem with this position is that it is too wide for the right-handed blows to reach the enemy. Worst of all, such a position negatively affects mobility.
This is due to the fact that the boxer, due to the fact that the legs are too far apart, cannot take big steps when moving. Most people, having taken such a stance, are ultimately forced to jump every time they need to move, because their legs are literally attached to the ground. This increases energy costs and makes it difficult to maintain stability, which, in turn, reduces the impact force.
In order not to make such mistakes, it is necessary not only to view the photo of the boxing rack, but also carefully study its general principles.
Lower body
The heel of the hind leg should always be slightly raised. Such an elevated position of the hind leg provides the boxer with greater mobility. The front foot can stand firmly on the ground, but you should try to keep more weight in the front of the foot. Legs should be shoulder width or a few centimeters wider.
Knees should always be bent. This provides greater impact force, good balance and mobility. The hips should always be relaxed and heavy, which will provide more power. Tension in this part of the body often negatively affects balance and forces you to spend much more energy.
Body weight should be distributed in a ratio of approximately 50/50 between the front and rear legs. You can distribute it in a ratio of 55/45, transferring most of the weight to the hind leg. A common mistake is to transfer too much weight to the front leg, which greatly complicates the movement and delivery of some blows.
Upper body
When taking the right boxing stance, shoulders and arms should be relaxed; the elbows are down, the arms are up, the chin is down. Shoulders should be slightly turned towards the opponent. They should not be straightened enough to leave the stomach open. The front arm should cover most of the body. The back arm should be at the level of the cheeks or eyebrows and held at an angle diagonally to the chin. The back hand is responsible for protecting against direct left hitting, as well as left hooks that are applied to the side.
The left hand should be a short distance from the chin. Keep it high enough to cover the chin, but low enough so that it does not overlap the view. This position provides protection from the right cross in the head. It also provides a high speed of striking, which leaves the enemy less time to defend or counter.
When studying, a good help would be a photo of the correct boxing rack.
Variations
All the different racks in boxing are usually based on the same principles that were mentioned above. The only difference is that they will vary, depending on the position of the arms, legs and body angle. The location of the hands is determined by the need to conduct attacking or defensive actions during the battle. The setting of the legs is determined by how the rest of the body should be located. For example, with a low stance that limits mobility, you probably should not use a hand position that provides low protection. Ultimately, the ideal position in boxing is one that matches the style and situation in the ring.