Boxing Side Step Drills

Boxing side step drills are designed to help you cut off the ring while facing an opponent. Cutting off the ring is an effective way to get close to a quicker fighter as well as limit the amount of energy you exert while moving around the ring. Side step drills range from form drills to speed and quickness drills.

  1. Basic Side Step

    • This basic side step drill is designed to improve your footwork in the ring as well as your ability to corner opponent. Stand in your regular fighting stance with your gloves up in front of your face. If you are a right-handed boxer, your left foot will be in front of your right, with your right foot perpendicular to your body. On your coach's whistle, move your left foot to your left side by taking a small step. As soon as your left foot lands, have your right foot follow, moving it so you are in the same position you were in to start. To move to the right, move your back foot first, making sure your feet never cross. Move back and forth between these two positions as quickly as you can until fatigued. Left-handed boxers will do the opposite.

    Karaokes

    • Karaokes are a footwork drill designed to help improve your lateral movement which will directly help you side step while in the boxing ring. Stand up straight with your knees slightly bent and arms extended out at shoulder height for balance. From here, begin moving to your right side, crossing your left leg over your right by rotating your hips to the left. As soon as your left leg crosses, step out with your right foot, crossing your left leg under your right by rotating your hips in the opposite direction. Perform this motion fluidly until fatigued.

    Side Step Jump Rope

    • This jump rope drill will improve your endurance as well as your side stepping ability. Start by jumping rope at a normal pace, moving back and forth between both of your legs in a fluid motion. From here, side step over the rope by moving your right leg slightly off the ground and to the right side. As you do so, lift your left leg off the ground, allowing the rope to pass under you before shifting your body to the side. Perform this exercise in both directions until fatigued.

    Side Step Speed Drill

    • This side step speed drill will improve your quickness and speed in the ring. Stand in front of a sparring partner with your coach at the side of the ring. With both of you in fighting stances, have your coach set a timer for 60 seconds. Within this 60 seconds, you must trap your opponent in the corner without using your hands. As a result, you must side step effectively to corner him. If he is trapped in the corner for more then several seconds, you win the drill.