After some recent sparring sessions, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about Head Movement.
Boxing is like being in the rain and not getting wet, not a contest of who can take more damage.
Head movement is a very delicate part of the fight game. An inch will save your life …or send you home early. To the naked eye, it seems the head is simply moving out of the way from punches. The pro’s always make things look easy, they’ve had a long road mastering the skills we’re about to cover.
From the ground, up:
Legs
Head movement is enhanced with the legs. What makes a good boxer great, is their foot-work. Feet placed just wider than shoulders with a soft flex in the knees. The better you get at this, the more efficient your movement & punches will become. Also, there are added benefits.
- Your head is attached and will naturally follow.
- Putting bend in the knees, allows for more energy transfer up the legs, more power to punch with… You create the effect of a spring.
- Gives you a stronger base.
Hips
We could argue that hips are a bigger group than legs. However, for us, hips are the center of the universe! Once you allow takedowns & kicks, things get messy real quick! Save the fancy swiveling hip movement for Saturday night or that romantic get away.
Combining the Legs & Hips, you get a nice smooth movement. Very rhythmic.. up, down, left, right.
Head
Hands
Don’t reach, but touch everything. Remember, smaller movements are best *clean & crisp*.
Remember, results matter! This is one of those stylistic things, a lot of fighters have made careers out of.
If you’re in the rain & not getting wet, or hit… you have found your groove!
Nate James - Mixed Martial Artist 