Orthodox Stance

The default stance for right-handed boxers: left foot forward, right foot back, lead shoulder pointed at the opponent. Feet shoulder-width apart and on parallel rails (not heel-to-toe). Knees soft, weight 50-50 between the feet — never on the heels, never on the toes. The torso is bladed at roughly 45° to the opponent, minimising the target area. The lead hand sits at chin height; the rear hand at the temple. Every offensive and defensive movement in orthodox boxing flows from this base.

Key points

• ▸Lead foot points 10-15° inside; rear foot at 45° outside.
• ▸Heels are off the ground — weight balanced on the balls of the feet.
• ▸Hips are bladed, not square.
• ▸Lead hand at chin height; rear hand at the temple.
• ▸Chin tucked to the lead shoulder.

Common mistakes

• ✗Standing too wide — slows lateral movement and lateral counters.
• ✗Heels planted — kills speed and balance.
• ✗Squaring the hips — increases target area by 40%.
• ✗Crossing the feet during movement.
• ✗Lead foot pointed straight at the opponent — opens the lead leg to a body kick (mostly irrelevant in boxing, but it also tells the opponent the angle of the next jab).

Drills

1. Stance check: stand in front of a mirror; verify all 5 key points every minute for 5 minutes.
2. Tape rails: place two strips of tape on the floor at shoulder width; never cross them during shadow-boxing.
3. Knee springs: 100 in-and-outs per round, knees bent, on the balls of the feet.

Related techniques