Side step

Side step: step by step

1. Without breaking your stance, step straight to the side in the direction you want to go, without crossing your feet.
2. Bring your other foot over and return to your stance width.
3. Check that your head has moved off the opponent's front, and reset your stance.

Side step: key points

• Use it for defense and repositioning. Move to the side after a slip or a step back, or when getting off the ropes.
• When you go in on the attack, don't move straight to the side. Step in at an angle.
• Move your head along with your feet. If only your feet move and your head stays in front of the opponent, you haven't gotten out of the way.

Side step: common mistakes

• Moving straight to the side even when going in to attack. You don't close the distance and your punches don't reach.
• Crossing your feet. You lose your balance and fall over easily if you're pushed.
• Breaking your stance as you move to the side. You get hit partway through the move.

Side step: how to practice

• In shadowboxing, alternate shifting to the side after a step back and shifting to the side after a slip.
• On the heavy bag, at the end of your punches move straight to the side, off the front of the bag, and punch again from the new position.

Combinations that use this move

• One-two-hook, side step, one-two
  123Side step12

Related techniques

• Angled step-in
  Angled step-in
• Step back, show your guard, then move sideways
  Step backGuardSide step
• One-two-hook, side step, one-two
  123Side step12
• On the ropes: stop, deflect or circle out
  On the ropes
• Don't stay in front of them
  Take an angle
• Pivot
  Pivot