Fix 5 Beginner Boxing Mistakes in Under 10 Minutes (Pro Trainer’s Quick Guide)

Written by Aarron Morgan, Licensed BBBofC Trainer and Former Professional Boxer Every boxer makes these mistakes early on. The key is catching them fast and fixing them properly. These quick corrections take minutes to learn but will save you months of bad habits.

1. Dropping Your Hands After Every Combination

The Mistake: Beginners often finish a combo and relax, letting their hands fall to their chest. It feels natural, but it leaves you wide open.

The Fix: After every punch, snap your hands straight back to your chin. Keep your elbows in tight and your guard high when you reset. Film yourself and watch between rounds — if you see daylight between your gloves and face, correct it on the next round.

2. Standing Too Tall

The Mistake: Tall stance, straight legs, and no balance. This kills your movement and makes you easy to hit.

The Fix: Bend your knees slightly and lower your centre of gravity. Keep your chin tucked behind your lead shoulder. You should feel springy, not stiff. A good stance should feel athletic, like you could move in any direction instantly.

3. Throwing Every Punch at Full Power

The Mistake: Every punch is thrown like it’s a knockout shot. You gas out, lose form, and develop bad habits fast.

The Fix: Control your power. Aim for 70% intensity most of the time. Save your power for short bursts — like the last 10 seconds of a round. Think of boxing as rhythm, not rage. The best fighters change tempo, not tension.

4. Forgetting Footwork

The Mistake: You stand in one place and throw combinations without moving. It looks strong, but it isn’t real boxing.

The Fix: Add a step to every combination. Throw your shots, step back, move to your right, then reset. Shadow box using only footwork rounds, no punches, to train balance and control.

5. Holding Your Breath

The Mistake: Tension builds, punches stop flowing, and before you know it, you are exhausted halfway through the round.

The Fix: Breathe out sharply with every punch. Keep your breathing steady between combinations. Use your roadwork to practise breathing rhythm; in through the nose, out through the mouth.

You should sound calm when you train. Breathing is your internal metronome.

The 10-Minute Correction Routine

Here is a simple 10-minute daily fix to clean up these habits fast:

Do this for one week and you will feel the difference — smoother rhythm, cleaner movement, and more control.

Train With Structure

If you are training alone and want real progression, I built two resources for boxers like you:

• Training Without a Trainer: 6-Week Self-Coaching Guide — a full programme with daily sessions and feedback loops so you know what to fix.

• Heavy Bag System — turn your bag work into real ring performance.

Both are in the Marksman Digital Hub along with other guides on sparring, mindset, and conditioning.

If you want personal feedback, bring your training to life with 1-2-1 Boxing Coaching in South Ockendon