I doubt I am the first person to think of this, but I have had an idea for training distance management for a while and I am going to test it out this week. It's a literal interpretation of the phrase "Boxing is a game of inches", meaning that I would have a starting point and then run tape in a diamond shape around it. The next diamond after that would be one inch farther out from the starting point than the previous one (and using different colors of tape to easily see where you are while moving). Here is a mockup I threw together in MS Paint, since I'm probably not doing a good job at describing it
I definitely think it can be revised more, or maybe there's a similar drill that addresses distance management better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ We will see!
It was kind of ment generally. Range, and controlling space I feel is a very under analysed aspect of the stand up game for most novice and intermediate fighters. Figured I could get some interesting responses from people with different backgrounds. And maybe some fun drills to work on with my youngest son. I guess if I had to get precise it would be closing the distance to strike and vise versa getting just out of range before a closing it again for the counter offensive.
I’m a big believe in a systematic approach for boxing. It helps to make sure you and your boxers understand each other and it makes sure they’re never lost in the ring.
For me and mine, we have 5 ranges.
1. Clinching
2. Touching/leaning but not tied up
3. I can hit you without moving my feet or modifying my punch form
4. Half step away. I can’t land unless I move my lead foot.
5. Anything further than 4
the general rule is to hit someone when ever they cross from one range to the next whether it’s forward or backwards, but especially forwards. You can cook up partner drills and pad work based on this pretty easy.
next, have them throw a combination (again, pads or partner) and practice exiting to ranges 1-4.
Combo at range 3, then clinch.
Combo at range 3, then step in and stuff them
Combo at range 3 then step to either side.
Combo R range 3 then step back at an angle just out of reach