Coach says I'm too flat footed

[mlg321]

My coach says I'm too flat footed, that I need to be more on the tip of my toes.

I don't really get what he means though. When I try to do it, it seems like I'm always on the border of losing balance.

Anyone have any suggestions or exercises that could help me, it would be very appreciated.

[Qualay]

How long have you been boxing and how often do you train?

[colin7878]

Get on the balls of you feet, practice staying on you toes when your doing your circles in the ring

[RDJ]

In most cases it means your agility isn't what it should be yet. Basically anything that requires you to move around quickly would help. Play some tennis, run backwards and sidewards, do ladder drills, etc.

[mlg321]

How long have you been boxing and how often do you train?

4 months, 3 classes a week.

[mlg321]

In most cases it means your agility isn't what it should be yet. Basically anything that requires you to move around quickly would help. Play some tennis, run backwards and sidewards, do ladder drills, etc.

What kind of ladder drills?

Do you have any idea of specific exercises I should do?

[mrtony80]

Practice walking around on your tippy toes.

[mlg321]

Also I'm not talking strictly while sparring, on pads and heavy bags too.

[Son of Gaul]

My coach says I'm too flat footed, that I need to be more on the tip of my toes.

I don't really get what he means though. When I try to do it, it seems like I'm always on the border of losing balance.

Anyone have any suggestions or exercises that could help me, it would be very appreciated.

It sounds like you just have to condition yourself mentally to stay on the balls of your feet. It could also, possibly, be a situation where you need to strengthen your calf muscles through agility drills and the like.

[RDJ]

Usually being flatfooted means being immobile. He could stand on his toes but he'd probably still be immobile. In my own case it was simply not being agile enough. You don't fix that with a simple exercise, it improved over time by sparring, shadowboxing (with lots of movement), road work (not just forward, switch directions a lot), etc.

[jof]

What he probably means is that you are flat footed when you are punching rather than walking around on tiptoe.

Punches are "done from the toe" i.e. when throwing a hook you should pivot off the lead toe. A straight right should see the back of your foot come up etc.

You shouldnt be standing on tiptoe as you will be unbalanced.

[mlg321]

Usually being flatfooted means being immobile. He could stand on his toes but he'd probably still be immobile. In my own case it was simply not being agile enough. You don't fix that with a simple exercise, it improved over time by sparring, shadowboxing (with lots of movement), road work (not just forward, switch directions a lot), etc.


Well he did mention me being ''heavy'' when I move. Like my feet are just too planted strongly on the ground and it's making me slow and heavy on my movements.

[Gavin]

Skipping. Stay on the balls of your feet, alternate between each leg and bring each leg up as far as you can without straining yourself.

[mmunger]

Two things.

When you jump rope, always do all you can to remain on the tip of your toes. When you start getting comfy doing so, try moving around, either to go to someone, or moving to your left and right, while jumping rope. This will give you some control.

Then, in the ring, practice shadow boxing on the tip of your toes. In the beginning, you may find it hard to really move around. With a bit of practice, it will come.

[mlg321]

Two things.

When you jump rope, always do all you can to remain on the tip of your toes. When you start getting comfy doing so, try moving around, either to go to someone, or moving to your left and right, while jumping rope. This will give you some control.

Then, in the ring, practice shadow boxing on the tip of your toes. In the beginning, you may find it hard to really move around. With a bit of practice, it will come.


Do you mean really really on the tip of my toes, or just feet on the ground but more weight on the front of the foot?

[mmunger]

Do you mean really really on the tip of my toes, or just feet on the ground but more weight on the front of the foot?

Not as much as a ballerina :-) but use just the forefoot, up to the arch. If only the toes were on the ground you might lose balance. With practice, the forefoot will keep your balance.

But remember to have a standard boxing stance by bending your knees slightly. This gives you a bit of a "sitting" position, from which you can throw punches with power and move without falling forward.

[PugilistStudent]

Just practice shadowboxing while being on the balls of your feet and you'll improve.

[dfh85]

HAD THe same problem

learn 2 bounce, solved it for me

if ur big like me prepare for some painful blisters but itll come

[PugilistStudent]

OH yeah, try moving your feet closer together it kind of forces you on your toes in a way and you can move much faster.

[dangerousity]

skipping makes you light on your feet definitely. Thats the sole purpose and the exercise, and coordination.

[Mendoza]

My coach says I'm too flat footed, that I need to be more on the tip of my toes.

I don't really get what he means though. When I try to do it, it seems like I'm always on the border of losing balance.

Anyone have any suggestions or exercises that could help me, it would be very appreciated.

Some boxers are simply flat footed and will never have good balance or feel comfortable fighting on the balls of their feet or their toes.

Being flat footed doesn't mean you can't learn to circle a bit, adjust your guard, learn how to duck, etc...

[thekokid]

your balance will improve with thime,, being on the balls of your feet allows you to move in and out quicker