Jumping Rope Is The #1 Footwork Drill For Boxers But What other drills do you do?

[Yoseph]

I believe Jumping Rope is the #1 Footwork Drill for Boxers but more specifically for beginners because it teaches you footwork efficiency.

But what other footwork drills do you do? Also what drills do you think is the best for improving a boxers footwork?

[WonderMonkey]

Shadowboxing with a purpose, pivot drills (video below), working muscle memory on the heavy bag, and controlled mitts.

[F l i c k e r]

I stopped jumping rope. I have jumper's knee. So I get injured from doing jump rope, even though I had it to the point of doing that Floyd Mayweather tricks.

Instead, it's like WonderMonkey said. I would dedicate 6 rounds to just shadowboxing in the mirror. As he said, with a purpose. 2 rounds, I wouldn't even throw punches. I would just shift my feet, keep my base, and weave like in a real boxing match. Then another 2 rounds of just jabbing. I'd switch stances, which is why I would do 2 rounds of each. Then another 2 rounds with actual shadow boxing but with purpose, not that Pacquiao, Canelo, or that fancy shadow boxing type stuff. Where you throw 50 uppercuts really fast. That wasn't for me. I would shadow box like an actual fight.

That's just me though. If I didn't have jumper's knee, I would skip rope easily but gotta work with the cards you got.

[Eastbound]

I like shadow boxing for better footwork technique. Jump rope is more for stamina, so you have the lower leg stamina to keep up the boxing for an extended period.

I've have some chronic knee problems but still able to jump rope...I just keep my jumps very low so I am not slamming the knee as much. No double unders or fancy tricks that may tweak the knee. Keep it low. Running is much harder on my knee than jumping

[Redd Foxx]

My coach always had me start with shuffles, both lateral and front to back. I think a lot of places skip this so they don't have people shuffling all around and in everyone's way but I found them to be invaluable. If you ever want to be able to circle someone with the jab like Ali, drill these before every single workout. You'll develop such control over your footwork, not to mention fluidity and speed.

[WonderMonkey]

My coach always had me start with shuffles, both lateral and front to back. I think a lot of places skip this so they don't have people shuffling all around and in everyone's way but I found them to be invaluable. If you ever want to be able to circle someone with the jab like Ali, drill these before every single workout. You'll develop such control over your footwork, not to mention fluidity and speed.

We do this as part of our shadowboxing. I don't know if that is normal or not, but it's what we do.

[ShoulderRoll]

Box Steps
Double Box Steps
Double Box Steps with Pivots

[scbb]

We use a ladder rope on the floor, kind of like hop scotch, works well.

[OctoberRed]

We use a ladder rope on the floor, kind of like hop scotch, works well.

My favorite..

[bngsdad]

The tennis ball hooked to the forehead is better than the jump rope. You have to perfect your timing, coordination, movement, etc. You'd also learn how to do good defense like body/head movement and prevent those counter punches from connecting