How do you know how wide your stance should be?

[Dipper1001]

I was told to stand shoulder width apart with my feet. When I try to do this, I get told that my stance is too large. How do I find my shoulder width stance? Should I just measure my shoulders in inches, then place my feet this wide? I also notice pro boxers in today’s era fight in a super wide stance? Why is this? Aren’t we taught shoulder width?

[ShoulderRoll]

Your stance should be wide enough so that you are stable and don't get knocked off balance easily. But not so wide that you can't quickly pick up and move your feet.

Experiment a little to find that sweet spot.

[Boxfan83]

I was told to stand shoulder width apart with my feet. When I try to do this, I get told that my stance is too large. How do I find my shoulder width stance? Should I just measure my shoulders in inches, then place my feet this wide? I also notice pro boxers in today’s era fight in a super wide stance? Why is this? Aren’t we taught shoulder width?

I really think it depends who your fighting and if sparring what you are working on. A wider stance allows you to counter with power. Less wide and you can be more nimble on your feet.

[Blond Beast]

Your stance should be wide enough so that you are stable and don't get knocked off balance easily. But not so wide that you can't quickly pick up and move your feet.

Experiment a little to find that sweet spot.

Find your sweet spot is exactly right. Nothing wrong with watching video of successful fighters and copying some of their stances to see how they fit you. ODLH dragged his back foot, Tito stood on the ball of of his back foot. Everyone’s skeletal structure and weight distribution is different, it’s why so many variations. Plus there’s lots of different fighting styles. Find what allows you to accentuate your strengths. If you have a good hook, find what let’s you be the most comfortable throwing it and bringing it back. Trust yourself to keep practicing and find what comes best naturally. You can pick a stance close your eyes and have someone silently push you from the front, back, or either side. That will help you find what fits you best.

[WonderMonkey]

There is already some very good advice in this thread. I'll give my experience, which will add a bit of flavor to what has been said.

My "sweet spot" was wide feet. I felt quick and strong and thought I could turn my rear hip over as needed. However ..... my boxing coach was all over me to shorten my stand up to "keep me taller". I'm 6' 2". My wide feet was taking away a height advantage on many boxers. Nope, I wouldn't do it. Sure, I'd TRY, but by nature I'll be all wide and stuff. Then, my boxing coach had me fight another tall, more experienced fighter. He beat me like a person would that had a height advantage, but he didn't really. BUT HE DID, because I made myself shorter. Does that mean my wide stance was wrong? No, but I hadn't worked hard enough at staying tall to KNOW it. I got a piece of strong shock chord and tied it around my ankles to the width he wanted, and wore it each time I did anything. I even sparred with it on. In time, the less wide stance felt more natural, and all my mechanics caught up.

But .... I also worked on knowing when it's right to widen my stand out for a particular reason, maybe changing levels or this or that or the other, then get right back up to where I should be.

So there. That's a bit of "Yes, but .." that I'll offer.

[markusmod]

Your stance should be wide enough so that you are stable and don't get knocked off balance easily. But not so wide that you can't quickly pick up and move your feet.

Experiment a little to find that sweet spot.

Same advice a coach gave me in the past.