Boxing for Beginners – Footwork

Boxing requires you to have the ability to move quickly from left to right and backward and forward. You will find that the best exercise to develop this quickness is jumping rope. It will also help you with your coordination, agility, footwork, and endurance. Be aware that it will take time and practice to become proficient at jumping rope. Do not get frustrated and replace it with an alternative exercise. Jumping rope is the best exercise for boxers.

You will need to find the rope that works best for you. Most ropes are 9 feet in length but if you are over 6 feet tall you may require a 10 foot rope. To find the right length for your height, step on the middle of the rope. If the handles measure to your armpits you have the right length. It may be necessary to actually shorten the rope but be careful not to cut too much off. It is best to cut an inch or so off, measure, and cut more off if necessary. It is also important to keep the rope from kinking as this will affect your spinning speed.

It is also important to use the proper surface for jumping rope. You will find that a wood floor, outdoor track, gym mat, or tennis court will be the most forgiving to your ankles and feet. The boxing ring itself is an ideal surface. Do not jump rope on a concrete floor. Also choose cross training shoes for jumping rope. The shoes you use for boxing do not provide enough cushion so use them only for boxing.

To avoid frustration when learning to jump rope, start out with short sessions until you are able to jump without tripping. Practice regularly and build up to 1 to 3 minute rounds. You may want to jump several times during your work out with rest periods in between.

There are many jumping styles you can learn which will help you to not get bored with your routine. The most common pattern is just running in place. This is great for conditioning. Another pattern is double unders. This requires the rope to make two turns with every one jump. Do not attempt this until you have become proficient with running in place. Another variation is the criss-cross. You cross your arms and jump through the rope and uncross your arms and jump through the rope. Combining these and other styles will allow you to improve your coordination and agility.

Another variation is to move around while jumping rope, i.e., frontward, backward or side to side. This will help with agility and endurance and improve your footwork. Consider moving in a pattern such as a square (around the ring) or a circle.

Learning to jump rope provides a great way to work out and improves your endurance and your quickness. With its low cost, around $5.00, you will get a valuable training tool and a quality workout.

Article Source: http://MMAWriters.com

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