I heard that flat-footed boxers usually have more power to their punch than boxers who are light on their feet

Question

is this true?

and if this is true, why?

For this question I am simply focused on the feet and how they are placed when you are throwing punches. I am not talking about size or agility or natural strength of the boxer. With that given, answer this question as though there are two boxers equal in size, strength and training, but one is flat-footed the other is light-footed.

Answer 1

"Yes it is", Do my eyes deceive me?? Did smitty, the self-proclaimed "bible of boxing" say that flat feet leads to more powerful punching?? Flat feet or "Pes planus" in medical terms is indicative of lax in the ligaments of the foot and compromised bone structure of the foot. The key indicator is "over pronation" of the foot, a condition that causes a decrease in the person's overall balance. And anyone who follows boxing or any sport of the like, would know that balance is stressed heavily during the generation of a punch and the resulting impact. By nature, the physiology behind the arch is to improve balance, to be able to disperse weight quickly from the front or ball of the foot to the heel or rear of the foot. I guess a page must be missing from your bible smitty.

Answer 2

This is an article from a reputable professional boxing site I frequent. Your feet should not be flat. Your leading foot is for stability and your back foot is where your power originates as it pivots with the rest of your body.

The driving force of the punch has as it's component the movement of joints located at the hip, knee, ankle and the trailing foot. There are two major foot joints that play critical rolls as well. The leading foot serves to stabilize the body and to catch the weight as the center of gravity is moved toward the opponent. This is the biodynamics of the punch.

Anyone can throw a punch...kids do it everyday, but in order to orchestrate a KO punch with maximum force and power, you will need to focus upon the lower extremity. Spectators focus on upper body motion and technique. The shoulder, elbow and upper torso get most of the photo exposure. This is well deserved and justified, however substantial power originates from the floor upward. The uppercut, hook and even the jab derive a portion of their power from the legs and feet. Placing the foot in a propulsive position will increase the force generated. This force moves up from the ground and is transmitted through the various bones and joints until it ends up at the end of your glove and into your opponents body.

It has been known throughout the history of boxing that a "flat footed" boxer is not punching efficiently. He is not moving around the ring efficiently either. The feet support the fighter and move him into position to land the punch or evade the opponent 's moves. What I do with my boxing patient is to first provide a supportive taping to the feet. We tape the hands...why not the feet? This foot taping is designed to hold the foot in a propulsatory position. As the fighter fatigues, you will notice he/she tends to rest more on the heels and the center of gravity shifts from the forward position to the backward position. This is common. However this places the fighter into a posture which does not allow for the most effective (power driving) punch.

Answer 3

Yes, that is true because most big punchers like Trinidad and Tua have to have their feet set to be effective. That's why you see certain boxers move against big punchers as De La Hoya did against Tito. Constant movement doesn't give a puncher a chance to plant his feet and if he can't plant then he won't get maximum power on his shots because a lot of the power comes from the legs and hips. If a puncher has to constantly pick up his feet, then it's hard for him to get set to throw the big power shot.

Answer 4

IMO any punch thrown planted like that would have power however i don't think flat footers should be boxing anyways for other varouis reasons

Answer 5

It is all about physics, if you plant your feet and use your legs when punching you will deliver more power. Ali would dance around but he would stop plant his feet to deliver his harder punches than get back to moving around the ring.

Answer 6

Nope not true. Just look at the GREATEST Heavyweight fighter to ever live. Light on his feet and a killer knockout punch. Of course I'm talking about ALI.

Answer 7

a fighter with good footwork that's in shape will always beat a flat footed fighter,unless he gets caught.check this out: a chevette will run circles around a corvette if the corvette can only go forward.

Answer 8

the only difference between the 2 is that 1 will be harder to hit because his ability to move in and out of range faster-when the light footed boxer wants to hit hard he will just plant his feet,bang his shots and move again..

Answer 9

Yes it is. Any punch that is delivered with the whole body behind it and the feet planted firmly on the ground has more power to it.

Answer 10

sounds like it makes sense... perhaps being flat-footed distributes weight better which makes punches more powerful