Bouncing stance vs no-bounce

[dragonslayer131]

I have been taught by two boxing coaches to bounce more or less constantly in stance. But I hardly see professional boxers do it and neither professional MMA athletes. So when and how should I use the "bouncing stance"? A video suggested that this step should be use when you are just outside your reach, so you bounce into reach, hit, and bounce out. Is that pretty much it?

Reference video below if you don't know what iam talking about.

 

[fluffball]

It's your personal style, there are pros and cons of both. Bouncing takes a lot of energy just to stand there doing nothing, but if you've got tons of cardio, it can confuse people, hide your plans, and remind you to not lazily plant yourself. It can also get predictable since you can't change direction in mid-air (not that you're going airborne, but you get the idea.)

 

[Big Nasty Edison]

I can't speak on it in a boxing context, but in the days of shiny pants kickboxing some champs advocated being "bouncy" up and down as a means to disguise sudden movement for dashing in and striking.

The idea as explained to me long ago and again recently at a seminar I attended, if you are completely stationary/motionless then when all of a sudden you go to close distance the other guy's brain more easily picks up on the instant you begin to move and his reflexes to counter or move out will be much faster. But if you are have some constant movement then your movement to attack is more subtle and more difficult to pick up on. Also it was advocated to me that it helps keep you loose and relaxed and "a relaxed muscle and relaxed movement is a quicker movement".

The downside to all this is that it is very exhausting.

Bill Wallace talks about it starting around 9:00 in this seminar.

 

[Mr Mojo Lane]

It's better for boxing than it is for MMA or self defense. Someone who is bouncing a lot can be taken down with a push.

Bouncing is not a bad exercise for beginners, however.

 

[shpboris]

IMO, for athletic and fast guys this is a very good thing to be able to do. Boxing stars who are fast - when they go that route - they are almost impossible to catch. Even on the highest level. Say, guys like Mayweather in his earlier fights, Bradley etc.

Watch this guy for example - does that look that it is easy to time/catch him ?

 

[Big Nasty Edison]

This type of bouncing footwork is very prominent in WKF sport karate. For all the flack that sport karate gets, I think if you were intent on kicking one of their asses in an open area and they didn't want to fight it would be damn near impossible to catch one and have your way with them.

 

[shpboris]

This type of bouncing footwork is very prominent in WKF sport karate. For all the flack that sport karate gets, I think if you were intent on kicking one of their asses in an open area and they didn't want to fight it would be damn near impossible to catch one and have your way with them.

IMO, there may be even more problematic situation. They may not just "avoid the fight" and not let you hit them. They can actually occasionally hit you, while you will not be able to touch them at all. Meaning, you will logically lose the fight on points in such theoretical situation. There is a very good reason why in boxing and other sports the size of the ring is not THAT big. As otherwise it would be a totally different sport that HEAVILY favors outfighters/runners ....

 

[dragonslayer131]

Thanks for the replies guys!

IMO, for athletic and fast guys this is a very good thing to be able to do. Boxing stars who are fast - when they go that route - they are almost impossible to catch. Even on the highest level. Say, guys like Mayweather in his earlier fights, Bradley etc.

Watch this guy for example - does that look that it is easy to time/catch him ?

This was a really good example. The key looks to be always looking to take small steps to either close or get distance, and be VERY active. I have been bouncing back and fourth with no real plan at all...

Bouncing is not a bad exercise for beginners, however.

Yeah this is certainly the case. I felt my feet got lighter when my bouncing got better even when I did'nt bounce

 

[ssullivan80]

IMO, the issue is with the term "bouncing", to me that means both feet lifting off the ground and head moving up n down. Anytime both feet leave or separate from the ground you lose your base. No base = loss of mobility (reflexive/reactive movement) and the ability to generate any meaningful power. Defined this way, "bouncing" would limit you both offensively and defensively, so yes, it is a flaw. However, being "light on your feet" I don't see as a flaw at all, quite the opposite. Hence, technically refined fighters who are considered mobile, don't "bounce" (I.E: Lomachenko, Rigo, Sugar Ray L).

The difference between the two, being light on your feet your weight isn't moving up n down (bouncing) it's subtly shifting hip to hip and you are keeping constant contact with your base and not compromising your mobility or sacrificing the ability to quickly set and throw a meaningful shot. Being "light on your feet" or mobile, in a technically correct way wouldn't have your head moving up n down, instead it'd move back n forth or in a "swaying motion". I.E: standing on a tire and shifting weight hip to hip correctly, your head should stay on a even plane vs up n down.

 

[Mr Mojo Lane]

I got a chance to watch the video and the guy's advice is solid especially for boxing. I think for MMA and the street the bouncing needs to be toned down even more especially at closer ranges.

 

[freaky]

I have been taught by two boxing coaches to bounce more or less constantly in stance. But I hardly see professional boxers do it and neither professional MMA athletes. So when and how should I use the "bouncing stance"? A video suggested that this step should be use when you are just outside your reach, so you bounce into reach, hit, and bounce out. Is that pretty much it?

Reference video below if you don't know what iam talking about.

MMA fighters do it. Just look at all the smaller fighters. Flyweights and BW etc. Usually it's for the better cardio fighters. Big guys like HW don't do it cuz they will gas.

 

[yesitis!]

It depends.

You might bounce a lot but if the other guy isn't throwing then maybe you should settle down to get him to open up and throw some punches.

For the most part, moving your head and your body is always good and yes it does make it more unpredictable when throwing strikes. Just don't turn into Michael Jackson out there.

 

[wilddeuces]

Figure you out. What works for you? I don't bounce, but that doesn't mean others shouldn't. Some guys fight well when being relatively flat-footed even though you are often encouraged to "stay on your toes". This is the fun part: figuring out your style.

 

[killedsirius]

Also it's not bouncing up and down on the spot. It's in range, outta range by fractions. Bait and counter

 

[shpboris]

Also it's not bouncing up and down on the spot. It's in range, outta range by fractions. Bait and counter

Yes, exactly ...

In amateur boxing you can spot a good fighter by that kind of movement even before any punches were thrown ...
It is the most common defense and setup for offense at the same time. The opponent attacks - you bounce a bit out of range and make him miss then counter. Or you bounce into the range with the jab (or just fake), then bounce just a bit out of range, make the opponent react/overextend - and then counter. Etc... etc ....

 

[shpboris]

Watch the footwork in this sparring of two world class amateur boxers -
one of the best technical sparrings I have ever seen --

 

[KiraKira]

To go with shpboris excellent post here is an example of a similar variety of bouncy footwork applied in the pros by Ayub Kalule (A product of the Ugandadn boxing program and a amature world champion).

I think Its an interesting study in how to apply bouncing footwork in a more agressive maner and how to use it to play with rythem and establish odd angels one orhtdox fighter (Kalule was a converted southpaw and exeld at exploiting the tendecys of orhodox figters when facing soutpaws).

However hiss footwork might also have contributed to his lack of punching power which became a problem in hiss fights with Maccallum and Leonard (Lost both by tko).

 

[Stuart0502]

Yes, exactly ...

In amateur boxing you can spot a good fighter by that kind of movement even before any punches were thrown ...
It is the most common defense and setup for offense at the same time. The opponent attacks - you bounce a bit out of range and make him miss then counter. Or you bounce into the range with the jab (or just fake), then bounce just a bit out of range, make the opponent react/overextend - and then counter. Etc... etc ....

Great post/posts.

 

[Stuart0502]

This type of bouncing footwork is very prominent in WKF sport karate. For all the flack that sport karate gets, I think if you were intent on kicking one of their asses in an open area and they didn't want to fight it would be damn near impossible to catch one and have your way with them.

Bouncing is not unheard of in Sanda either;

 

[PCP319]

IMO, for athletic and fast guys this is a very good thing to be able to do. Boxing stars who are fast - when they go that route - they are almost impossible to catch. Even on the highest level. Say, guys like Mayweather in his earlier fights, Bradley etc.

Watch this guy for example - does that look that it is easy to time/catch him ?

Damn, that's some sexy footwork. I've found that, as I actually am in a gym now, and have been attending classes, I'm slowly starting to realize that in-and-out, jumpy footwork is definitely my preferred style. It's like dancing to soul and funk (which I love). Just hope my heavyweight ass can get to the point where I can keep it up for round after round. I want to run circles around my opponents.