How to step an angle in boxing

Many boxers never get past being linear brawlers.  In late October 2024 I  watched the under 19 World Boxing Championships, with the best 17 and 18 year olds from around the world competing in Pueblo, Colorado. 

There has been some fantastic boxing, and some not so much.  Amateur boxing emphasises scoring and fast paced action for 3 x 3 minute rounds.  Some spectators prefer this as the boxers have to fight at a fast tempo and are rewarded for clean scoring punches, so good technicians and fast fighters flourish. 

However, there is frequently a lot of showboating, mismatches and some poorer quality fights where 2 talented boxers trade blows and often take one to give one, without thought to defense.  High boxing IQ fighters try to hit and not get hit, get in and out, and position themselves in range for the delivery of their own punches but the ability to be out of range to their opponent or at an advantage to defend. 

This frequently involves stepping off at an angle to the opponent, instead of being squarely placed in front of them.  The video below (full credit to the content creators at fightTIPS) gives a very simple, beginner friendly breakdown of 3 ways to create angles, both offensively and defensively. 

3 Ways to Create Angles in Boxing

In simple terms, offensive angles are usually created with the lead foot.  The video shows good advice of hiding the shift with a simultaneous jab, and stepping off the front foot either to the closed side, as in angling toward the lead hand, or the open side, angling toward the rear hand. 

The front foot steps 20 to 45 degrees out to the closed side, simultaneous to  a snappy jab, then the back foot steps round, ending in a follow up jab or cross. 

Alternatively, if stepping out to the open side, the angle stepped needs to be a bit heavier, closer to 90 degrees to negate stepping into a well timed right hand (using orthodox stances in this example). From this point, the rear foot steps round to join and heavy shots like hooks and crosses can be used while the opponent is adjusting their own stance to get back in range. 

For defensive purposes, stepping back, angling off is a great way to get off the line of attack.  Defensively, the rear foot moves first, pivoting off, for beginners mostly to the closed side, and around 90 degrees.  You can play with the angles when you get more accomplished, but you might find yourself eating shots when you measure up too fine an angle. 

The last angles taught in the video are of a more advanced nature, shifting both feet at once in order to both angle off and load up on power to deliver a powerful punch assisted by the confusion of an awkward angle.  Mike Tyson was a master of this technique, with some incredible knockouts coming by way of the double shift. 

This video from ‘The Modern Martial Artist’ covers the topic with some training and fight footage. 

Mike Tyson | Crazy Drills That Became KOs – Technique Breakdown

So angles can be created offensively and defensively, and are a great tool to boost your boxing.  Applying them in drills and sparring is a great way to develop proficiency for fight day.