Do you want to improve your boxing skills outside of the gym, have fun, and meet a potential partner all at the same time?
Dancing is the answer for you!
You might think that it’s a waste of time or that it’s not “manly” enough for you.
We don’t think so. There are lessons from dancing that you can bring into the ring, no matter what style you choose.
Keep reading to learn why dancing is great for boxers.
Why Dancing Is Great For Boxers
Dancing is great for boxers because it helps you to:
- Syncs Your Rhythm And Timing
- Improve Your Balance And Footwork
- Understand Your Range Better
- Pay Attention To Your Opponent’s Body Language
- Dancing Teaches You To Express Yourself
Sync Your Rhythm And Timing
First, dancing can help sync your rhythm and timing.
You see this idea clearly when you train for boxing.
While jump roping is great for endurance, it also teaches boxers how to keep an even rhythm with their hands and feet.
When you use the speed bag, it’s not about strength or reflexes as the tiny bag will be moving too fast to watch. Instead, you let the sound of the bag guide your hands.
In the ring, your goal is to impose your own rhythm and break down your opponent’s rhythm with punches and footwork.
By overpowering your opponent’s rhythm with your own, you control the fight.
Dancing to music can improve your rhythm and timing, so you can incorporate them into your boxing movements.
If you can talk, you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance.
Zimbabwean proverb
Improve Your Balance And Footwork
Next, dancing can improve your balance and footwork in boxing.
Take breakdancing for example.
Have you ever wondered how breakdancers transition from a dizzying top-rock (footwork) to a powerful windmill without spinning out of control?
Before launching into a windmill, the b-boy ends his top-rock by setting his feet. This allows him to regain his balance and widen his stance to get maximum rotational force out of his body.
You can apply this idea to boxing: throw one hook while your feet are moving and another while your feet are set.
If your feet are moving, your hook will be sloppy and weak. You won’t be able to connect to the ground and draw power from the rotation of your hips.
If your feet are set, your hook will be sharp and powerful. Most importantly, you’ll be balanced and ready to dodge or punch again.
Understand Your Range Better
Next, dancing can help you understand your range better.
Have you ever been amazed how ballroom dancers move across the floor without tripping?
They understand the position of their partner’s feet and are in tune with their partner’s movement, allowing them to move as a unit.
Now apply this to boxing.
When your opponent steps towards you, your first line of defense will be to use your footwork to step back.
Another example is finding that sweet spot just outside of your opponent’s reach. From here, you can bait him into overreaching and walking into your counterattack.
Understanding the space between you and your opponent is a subtle lesson that boxers can learn from dancers.
Learn To Pay Attention To Your Opponent’s Body Language
Lastly, dancing teaches you to pay attention to your opponent’s body language.
Have you ever wondered how salsa dancers flow from move to move without telling their partner verbally?
They communicate with touch and pressure as their signal to prepare for a move. They learn that a certain hand swing will come before a spin in one direction, while another hand swing will come before a spin in the other direction.
In boxing, look for your opponent’s habits during a sparring session. It could be that she clenches her face before throwing a cross or that she drops her lead hand before throwing a jab.
Being in sync with your opponent’s body language is a useful skill that boxers can learn from dancers. It will help you make smarter and faster decisions in the ring.
Dancing Teaches You To Express Yourself
Lastly, dancing teaches you to express yourself.
Isn’t boxing just another way of expressing movement?
Conclusion
If you’ve finished reading this, know that you’re not the only boxer who’s used dancing to sharpen skills!
Harry Garside won the bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics, and credits his success to combining ballet with his boxing training.
Vasiliy Lomachenko spent his childhood learning traditional Ukrainian Hopak dances, and it is paying off in his fights today.
With their wins, they showed why dancing is great for boxers.
Now that you’re inspired, incorporate these ideas into your training and shadowboxing!
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