Mastering Footwork and Defence in Online Boxing Training for Karate: Key Training Insights

24.01.2026

Online Boxing Training

Saturday morning marked another productive session teaching my remote Online Boxing Training Course to Hinnerup Karate in Denmark. As I’ve shared before, Hinnerup enlisted my help to develop and integrate a Kickboxing program that complements their traditional Karate curriculum. This morning’s focus was on the fundamentals that often determine success in both boxing and kickboxing: footwork and head movement.

Remote martial arts learning in action: Hinnerup Karate in Denmark participates in an online cross-training boxing session, part of a kickboxing curriculum expansion, hosted by Jamie Clubb's Online Training Service.

These elements are crucial for any martial artist, especially when adapting boxing techniques into a Karate framework. Through remote online martial arts training, I guided the students step-by-step, ensuring they understood how to move efficiently and defend effectively. Here’s a detailed look at what we covered and why it matters.

Building a Strong Foundation with Footwork Drills

Footwork is the backbone of boxing and kickboxing. Without solid footwork, even the best punches lose power and precision. We started with a series of footwork drills using cones to create clear visual markers. This helped the students focus on specific movements:

• Lateral movement: Moving side to side while maintaining balance and readiness.

• Pivot steps: Rotating on the ball of the foot to change angles quickly.

• L-step: A combination of lateral and forward/backward movement to reposition strategically.

  
  

These drills are designed to improve agility and control. For example, lateral movement allows a fighter to evade attacks and create openings, while pivoting helps in counterattacking from unexpected angles. The L-step combines these skills, making it easier to maintain distance or close in on an opponent.

Practicing these drills remotely required clear verbal cues and demonstrations. I emphasized the importance of foot placement and weight distribution, which students could replicate in their own spaces. This approach shows how remote online martial arts training can still deliver precise, hands-on instruction.

Practising Jabs and Defence Off Angles

Once the footwork was underway, we moved to punching and defending from angles. The jab is a fundamental punch in boxing, and learning to throw it while moving off angles adds a layer of complexity and effectiveness. The students practiced:

• Throwing jabs while stepping to the side or pivoting.

• Defending by slipping or rolling punches coming from different directions.

• Countering immediately after defence.

  
  

We drilled these movements repeatedly, then applied them in controlled sparring rounds. This helped the students understand timing and distance in a live context. Sparring also reinforced the connection between footwork and head movement, showing how shifting angles can open up counterattack opportunities.

Cornering and Herding Techniques in Sparring

A key concept introduced during sparring was herding—guiding an opponent into a corner or against the ropes to limit their movement. This tactic forces the opponent into a vulnerable position where hooks and combination punches become more effective.

We practiced cornering-specific sparring rounds where students worked on:

• Using footwork to cut off escape routes.

• Applying hook punches and hook/cross/hook combinations.

• Maintaining pressure without overcommitting.

  
  

These drills sharpened their ability to control the ring and dictate the pace of the fight. Herding is especially useful in kickboxing, where controlling space can set up powerful kicks.

Rolling Off Hooks and Body Punching Drills

Next, we focused on defensive maneuvers against hooks, which are often the most dangerous punches due to their power and angle. The students practiced:

• Rolling off hooks to avoid impact.

• Countering with hooks and uppercuts to the body.

  
  

This drill emphasized the importance of protecting the head while attacking the opponent’s body, a strategy that wears down an opponent over time. We then introduced shift stepping off angles, which allowed students to reposition quickly after defense and launch counters from unexpected positions.

Applying these techniques in sparring helped students develop fluidity between defense and offense, a critical skill in any striking art.

Breaking Down the 11-Punch Combination

To finish the session, I introduced an 11-punch combination that ties together all the skills learned. The sequence was:

jab / cross / hook / cross / hook / cross / uppercut / cross / body hook / hook / cross

I broke this down into smaller segments, layering in slips, ducks, and rolls between punches. This approach helped students:

• Build endurance and coordination.

• Practice defensive movements within offensive sequences.

• Understand how to maintain rhythm and control during complex combinations.

  
  

This combination is a powerful tool for both boxing and kickboxing, teaching students how to blend offense and defense seamlessly.

Preparing for Kickboxing Integration

The next lesson will focus on integrating kicks with these punching combinations. Using punches to set up kicks is a fundamental strategy in kickboxing, and mastering the boxing elements first ensures a smoother transition.

Remote online martial arts training has proven effective in delivering these lessons, even across countries. Clear instruction, structured drills, and interactive sparring create an engaging learning environment that supports skill development.

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