Mine is still a bit sloppy, I have great sparring partners that always point it out but its just not second nature to me yet and I have to think about placing my feet correctly and keeping a set distance between them
Practice it slowly when shadow boxing with 100% perfect technique preferably in a mirror. Do rounds of shadow boxing of just footwork and then after you feel more comfortable speed it up and practice it while throwing punches and then different situations (like cutting off the ring, avoiding a charging opponent, trapped in the corner). After a while, it'll be automatic for you and you won't have to think about it when in the ring. I've been working on my footwork a lot lately myself, so i can relate. I highly recommend this also [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hm6h9rmVAE[/ame]
Not a bad practice tool at all; but just a side point, the kid can't back-step properly. He moves his front foot first. A well timed straight as he's doing that, and he falls over.
Get some Kneepads, and Shadowbox on your knees, never stop moving little movements all the time. You will be shocked what it does, for coordination of movement. Gives great posture and alinement .
What's weird is that I've done something similar but on a bed mattress instead of wearing kneepads. Somehow you get a keener feel for how your bodyweight shifts as you move around and throw combinations. If you're having doubts about whether you're arm-punching or not, this is also a good way to gauge that.
This is great advice, guys. On top of that and in addition to what scrap said, try shadowboxing without punching every now and then. Just work on getting into position to punch and then getting into another position to punch. Don't worry about the punches (during the drill at least). You can throw feints instead of punches. Bob Fitzsimmons advocated that boxing beginners learn how to move around the ring and do basic maneuvers BEFORE adding punches. And Fitz was a g. From what I recall from his book Physical Culture and Self-Defense, beginners should learn how to move around the ring with their gurad up--not just do it 3 times and then move on to the jab, but actually learn it to the point where you could get into the ring with a newb and just avoid him/cut him off the whole time without having to hit him (my interpretation). So when you sdhadowebox for the next couple weeks, maybe throw your jab in but make the primary focus on getting your feet into position. You'll **** a ***** up.
Shadowbox with a 10lb disc horizontal under the Chin, with it being held in that position with the Hands, each end. If the weight gets Heavy, your posture is wrong .
Shadow box and drill foot placement, i.e., switches, forward, backward, combos WITH proper foot sequences, etc... If you spar? You should be able to visualize a person in front of you and respond to "him". The more you move in a Boxing format? The more natural the movements.