Footwork is more important than punches at every belt level. The box drills the basics.

Equipment needed: Four cones in a 5-foot square.

Setup: Student starts at one corner in fighting stance.

How to run it:

  1. Move forward to the next corner. Lead foot first, back foot follows.
  2. Side-step to the next corner. Don’t cross feet.
  3. Move backward to the next corner. Back foot first.
  4. Side-step back to start.
  5. Repeat four laps.

What to look for: Hands stay up. Feet stay shoulder-width. The stance should look the same at every corner.

Variation: Add a strike at each corner — jab at corner one, cross at corner two, hook at corner three, kick at corner four. Combines mobility with attack.