6 Boxing Drills That’ll Get You in Fighting Shape

Are you looking to get in the best shape of your life, but you don't have a gym to go to? Why not try some boxing drills at home!

Is Boxing a Good Way to Get in Shape?

Yes, boxing is a great way to get in shape because with boxing techniques, you can tone your whole body while learning a new skill. Boxing is more popular today than ever -- it's a sport, a workout, and a lifestyle. You can train at home by yourself or with a partner. Here, we will teach you six (6) boxing drills to get started.

Boxing Techniques for Beginners

Before you being these boxing drills, it's important to master you form and use proper boxing techniques for the basic moves.

1. Boxer’s Stance (video link)

The first step in developing a strong boxing foundation is to determine your boxing stance. Decide which hand is your dominant hand. That will dictate your boxing stance.

• Orthodox Stance - your left leg and arm are in front and your right hand is dominant

• Southpaw Stance - your right leg and arm are in front and your left hand is dominant

We recommend that you practice your stance on a straight line to get used to where your foot positioning is.

First, take the toe of your lead foot and place it on a line. Then take the heel of your back foot and place it on the other side o the line so that both feet are parallel. Your lead shoulder should be pointing towards the front, and your rear shoulder should be pointing towards the back of the room. Your knees should be slightly bent, and both of your hands are up guarding your face.

2. Jab | 1 (video link)

• Start in either your orthodox or southpaw stance

• Bring your back hand up to guard your face

  • Your lead hand should be in front of your face

• Punch your lead arm out straight and snap your wrist so your palm is facing the ground and your knuckles are facing your opponent

• Rotate your hips slightly to give your jab more power

3. Lead Hook | 3 (video link)

• Start in your boxer's stance

• Transfer your weight onto your lead leg

• Draw your lead arm out a little to your side and snap it across the front of your body to throw your lead hook

  • Your elbow should be behind your fist and even with your arms as you throw the punch

• Use your weight and rotate your hips and core for power

Beginner Common Mistakes

These three (3) moves are the foundation for becoming a great fighter. Some common mistakes people make with these boxing techniques for beginners are:

• Not evenly distributing weight

• Bad foot placement

• Not tucking chin in on punches

• Not staying on the balls of the feet

• Dropping hand away from the face

• Not bending elbow during the lead hook

• Swinging arms during a punch for added power

The problem with making these mistakes is that they make you vulnerable to receive a knockout punch from your opponent because you are left exposed. Not having your weight distributed evenly in your stance can throw off your balance. The same is true if you have bad foot placement or if you step too far when you move forward and backward. Another mistake is not staying on the balls of your feet. There is a lot of footwork in boxing, and it's important to be able to move with speed. Being flat-footed not only makes it more difficult to move, but you won't be able to perform your movements quickly. The last common beginner mistake is swinging your arms to power your punches. If you only use your arms to punch, you use a lot of your power. Power in your punches comes from your legs and the rotation in your hips, so relying solely on your arms will not help you.

Practice the fundamental boxing techniques first before diving into any of these drills. Mastering these moves will not only help you get the most out of each drill, but it will help your fight skills and decrease your risk of injury.

Boxing Drills for Beginners (video link)

1. Jab - Cross - Jab to the Body | 1 - 2 - 1B

• Start in your boxing stance

• Extend your front arm out to throw your jab

• Follow with your back arm in a cross

• Bend your knees and drop down to throw a jab to the body

  • Don't punch with straight legs

• Bring your hands back to guard

2. Cross - Lead Hook - Cross - Step Back - Cross | 2 - 3 - 2 - Step Back - 2

• Start in your boxing stance

• Throw a cross and follow up with a lead hook

• Come back with a cross

• Step back, bring your hands back to guard, and finish with a cross

Rotate your hips during your punches. In this boxing drill, it is important not to step so far back that you can't reach your target. Make sure both of your feet are on the ground when you counter with your cross.

Boxing Drills Heavy Bag (video link)

3. Jab Pyramid

In this home boxing drill, you will go through a three-minute jab pyramid round.

• Throw one jab

• Reset, coming back to guard

• Throw two jabs

• Reset, again back to guard

• Continue following the pattern, increasing the number of jabs after each reset until you reach ten

• Then, work your way back down the pyramid, until you're back to throwing one jab

  • This is one rotation

The goal for the round is to get through the pyramid twice before the round is over.

Shadowboxing Drills

4. Slip Lead - Slip Rear - Roll Lead - Roll Rear - Step Back - Step Forward

• Start in your boxing stance

• Slip to your lead side

• Then slip to your rear side

• Follow up with a roll to your lead side

• Then do a roll to your rear side

• Repeat for 3 minutes

5. Jab - Cross - Lead Hook | 1 - 2 - 3

• Start in your boxing stance

• Fully extend your arm out to throw your jab, rotating your punching hand

• Bring your arm back

• Extend your other arm to throw your cross, again rotating your hand

• Follow up with a lead hook and turn your hip in the direction you are punching

• Repeat the punch combination for 3 minutes

6. Jab - Cross - Lead Hook - Slip Lead - Slip Back - Roll Lead - Roll Back

This drill is a combination of the first two drills.

• Start in your boxing stance

• Fully extend your arm out to throw your jab, rotating your punching hand

• Bring your arm back

• Extend your other arm to throw your cross, again rotating your hand

• Follow up with a lead hook and turn your hip in the direction you are punching

• Continue with a slip to your lead side

• Then slip to your rear side

• Follow up with a roll to your lead side

• Then do a roll to your rear side

• Repeat for 3 minutes

There you have it! These are six (6) boxing drills you can do for an at-home boxing workout for beginners. Learn more drills and improve your skills by checking out the other video tutorials on the FightCamp YouTube Channel and App. The FightCamp Trainers will whip you into shape and help you unleash your inner fighter.

How Do I Get In Shape For Boxing Fast?

If you want to get in shape for boxing fast, you will need to adopt a training regimen and a boxer's diet. Boxers usually eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day to fuel and nourish their bodies. It's also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Here is what a typical boxer's clean eating plan consists of:

• Lean protein (chicken, tuna, seafood, eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt)

• Low glycemic carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, beans, oats, brown rice)

• Vegetables (leafy greens, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts)

• Fruits (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit, bananas)

• Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocados, nut butters, olive oil, coconut oil)

When you combine proper boxing training and a healthy boxer's diet, you'll be well on your way to getting in fighting shape!

Let's Go!

Now that you're ready to train like a fighter, get access to hundreds of boxing, kickboxing, strength, conditioning, recovery, and stretching workouts that will push you mentally and physically. Download the FREE FightCamp App and train with real fighters from the comfort of your own home.