In September’s boxing masterclass, we took inspiration from my time training with former world champion, Hannah Rankin—Scotland’s first female world champion. The focus was on integrating offence into defence through footwork, a key aspect that makes boxing not only engaging but also a visual art. By harmonising hand, head, and foot movements, participants began to see how effective communication between these elements elevates their boxing skills.
We started with defensive techniques, particularly the “slip,” a fundamental move where the head is shifted to avoid an incoming punch. Traditionally, this is done without moving the feet, but in this masterclass, we evolved the technique by incorporating a backward step. This adjustment allowed participants to disengage from their opponent while maintaining distance, rather than being stationary.
I’m proud to report that everyone in the class mastered slipping both left and right, maintaining distance from their “aggressor” and, even more impressively, transitioned to offensive moves that pushed their opponent onto the back foot.
Looking ahead to October’s masterclass, we’ll build on these skills to give participants a tactical edge. Expect more 1:1 sparring drills where you can practise gaining ground on your opponent and applying these strategies under pressure.
Join us for the next masterclass on Sunday, 13th October at 11:30am!
Don’t miss this opportunity to further refine your technique and take your boxing skills to the next level.
