Footwork is the foundation of every great boxer. Without slick, efficient movement, even your hardest punches won’t land clean—and you’ll leave yourself open to counterattacks. Jeff Mayweather, with decades of high-level coaching under his belt, breaks down three must-do drills that will take your stepping, sliding, and pivots from amateur to elite.
- The “Box” Shadow Shuffle
- How to: In front of a mirror or on your own, draw an invisible square with your jab (lead) and rear foot. Point your lead foot to 12 o’clock, right foot to 3, lead back to 6, right back to 9, then reset. Keep knees soft and hands up.
- Why it works: Frames your movement in all directions, builds muscle memory for pivoting off the jab, and teaches you to reset your stance instantly.
- L-Steps with Medicine Ball
- How to: Hold a lightweight (4–6 lb) medicine ball at chest height. Step forward with your lead leg, then side-step with your rear leg, forming an “L” shape. Return to center, then reverse direction. Keep the ball locked in, core tight.
- Why it works: Adds resistance to mimic real fight balance, strengthens hip rotation, and cements coordination between upper-body guard and lower-body drive.
- Ring-Corner Sprint Pivots
- How to: In the corner of the gym or ring, start in your boxing stance. Sprint two steps forward, plant on your lead foot, pivot 180° off that foot, then sprint two steps back. Immediately pivot again and repeat for 30 seconds. Rest 30 seconds, three rounds.
- Why it works: Simulates moving in and out under fire, teaches explosive resets, and conditions you for fast pivots when your back is against the ropes.
Putting It All Together
Rotate through these drills as part of your warm-up or technical circuit. Jeff runs all in-person clients at Mayweather Boxing Club through these every day—and they’re exactly the same drills you’ll get in his upcoming online course (join the waitlist now at www.jeffmayweather.vegas. Master your footwork, and every punch you throw will carry more power, precision, and purpose.
