You can tell a lot about someone by their foot movement and positioning. Your feet directly correlates with your striking and punching power. Punching power starts from the feet and travels all the way through your body to the end of your fist. This was described in the video about the Anatomy of a Knockout.
There is a great two part video by Phil Wright about the proper boxing base. He calls it the plastercast, which allows you to throw punches and move correctly. So watch the video, then when you’re shadowboxing, training, or sparring check your feet. As a mixed martial artists, I feel you should always be evaluating your game, and constantly improving it, even if it sometimes requiring to get back to the basics.
The Plastercast – Part I
The Plastercast – Part II
Credit goes to Phil Wright (@revolutiongym) – Who owns Revolution Gym (UK)
September 10th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
So you’re stabalizing the foot to promote the use of the calf muscle in the strike?
Rick
September 11th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
You are stabilizing to a point to promote a good base to let the power from your feet to transfer through your core and to your hands. I don’t know if I like the word stabilizing because in my opinion it seems like you have a solid base. You want to be light on your feet until you execute the punch for maximum power. If that makes any sense. Thanks for the comment Sensei J. Richard Kirkham.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hey Guys
The stabilisation of the ankle is to prevent lost energy caused by ankle movement… this in turn means that the drive generated can be more effectively delivered.
Think of it like hardening the suspension on a race car. You want to have enough give to soak up impact (such as when you are moving) but when you want to put the power down you want to know that the power isn’t going to waste as your ankle sags.
It also makes it much harder to over rotate or roll the foot when throwing crosses and hooks – both of which interfere with the delivery of force down the line of the punch.
Phil
p.s. Thanks for the post Jimmy.