5 Boxing Drills Every Beginner Should Master at Home

Starting boxing at home doesn’t mean shadowboxing without direction. The right drills build confidence, sharpen technique, and make your first sparring rounds much easier. These five simple drills will give you structure and real progress.

1. Stance and Footwork Practice

Your stance is the foundation of everything in boxing. Spend 3 minutes a round moving forward, backward, left, and right while keeping your guard up. Good footwork keeps you balanced and stops you from being an easy target.

2. Jab to the Chest

Most beginners only throw their jab to the head. A jab to the chest builds timing, range, and stops an opponent in their tracks. Try 3 rounds on the heavy bag or in shadowboxing aiming directly for the centre of the chest.

3. The One-Two, Step Back

Throw a jab-cross, then immediately step back out of range. This teaches you to exit safely after combinations. Beginners often get caught because they stay still after punching.

4. Slip and Counter Drill

Stand in your boxing stance, imagine a punch coming straight at you, and slip your head just off the centre line. Add a counter jab or cross after the slip. Repeat until it feels automatic.

5. Conditioning Finisher

End every session with a conditioning round. Push-ups, squats, or burpees in 30-second bursts will give you fight-level fitness and build the toughness boxing demands.

Why These Drills Matter

These five drills cover the essentials: balance, offense, defense, and conditioning. If you can stay disciplined with them at home, you’ll enter the gym or ring with a huge head start over most beginners.

Next Step for You

If you want a structured 6-week program with full boxing sessions you can follow at home, check out my guide:

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