🔑 Main Boxing Stances

1. Square Stance

• Feet Position: Feet shoulder-width apart, both pointing forward.
• Weight: Evenly distributed.
• Advantages:
  • Balanced and stable.
  • Easier to throw combinations.
  • Better defense (both sides equally protected).
• Disadvantages:
  • Bigger target to hit.
  • Less reach compared to blade stance.
• Use Case: Beginners, inside fighters, pressure fighters.

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2. Bladed (Side-On) Stance

• Feet Position: Lead foot points forward, rear foot turned out, shoulders turned sideways (“bladed” angle).
• Weight: Mostly on rear foot.
• Advantages:
  • Smaller target profile.
  • Longer reach with lead hand.
  • Good for counterpunching.
• Disadvantages:
  • Less balance if pressured.
  • Harder to defend against body shots.
• Use Case: Out-boxers, defensive fighters, those with long reach.

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3. Neutral (Semi-Square) Stance

• Feet Position: Between square and bladed, about 45°.
• Advantages:
  • Best mix of offense and defense.
  • Mobility in all directions.
• Use Case: The most common stance in modern boxing.

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🔄 Variations of Boxing Stances

4. Orthodox Stance

• Lead Foot/Hand: Left.
• Rear Foot/Hand: Right (dominant).
• Most common stance.

5. Southpaw Stance

• Lead Foot/Hand: Right.
• Rear Foot/Hand: Left (dominant).
• Used by left-handed boxers.

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🥊 Specialized / Situational Stances

6. Peek-a-Boo Stance

• Hands high, tucked near cheeks, elbows tight.
• Forward-leaning stance.
• Use Case: Aggressive style (Mike Tyson).

7. Philly Shell (Shoulder Roll) Stance

• Lead shoulder high, rear hand low, chin tucked.
• Use Case: Counterpunchers (Floyd Mayweather).

8. Crouched Stance

• Body bent forward, knees low.
• Use Case: Inside fighters (Joe Frazier).

9. Long Guard Stance

• Lead hand extended, rear hand near chin.
• Use Case: Controlling range, probing, defense.

10. Cross-Arm Stance

• Both forearms crossed high in front of face/chin.
• Use Case: Old-school defense (George Foreman used it late in career).

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✅ Summary:

• Square stance = balance & combos.
• Bladed stance = reach & defense.
• Neutral stance = best all-rounder.
• Plus specialized stances like peek-a-boo, Philly shell, long guard, and cross-arm.

📊 Boxing Stances Comparison

Stance	Feet/Body Position	Advantages	Disadvantages	Use Case / Style
Square	Feet shoulder-width, both pointing forward, torso square	Stable, good for combos, solid defense	Bigger target, less reach	Beginners, inside fighters, pressure boxers
Bladed (Side-On)	Lead foot forward, rear foot out, torso angled sideways	Smaller target, longer reach, great for counters	Less balance, vulnerable body	Out-boxers, defensive fighters
Neutral (Semi-Square)	Feet angled ~45°, weight balanced	Best mix of attack/defense, mobile	Not extreme in any strength	Most common stance today
Orthodox	Left foot/hand lead, right rear (dominant)	Natural for right-handers, versatile	Predictable (most common)	Majority of fighters
Southpaw	Right foot/hand lead, left rear (dominant)	Awkward for orthodox opponents, angles	Fewer training partners	Left-handers, tricksters
Peek-a-Boo	Hands high near cheeks, elbows tight, forward stance	Great defense, explosive offense	Energy demanding, less reach	Aggressive swarmers (e.g., Tyson)
Philly Shell (Shoulder Roll)	Lead shoulder high, rear hand low, chin tucked	Excellent counterpunching, elusive	Vulnerable to hooks/uppercuts	Defensive specialists (e.g., Mayweather)
Crouched	Knees bent low, torso forward	Powerful inside fighting, body leverage	Exposed to uppercuts, stamina drain	Inside fighters (e.g., Joe Frazier)
Long Guard	Lead hand extended, rear hand guarding chin	Range control, probing jab, defensive	Open to hooks inside	Out-boxers, rangy fighters
Cross-Arm	Forearms crossed over face	Strong guard, blocks heavy shots	Limited vision, less offense	Old-school defense (e.g., Foreman late career)