Learning the skills of boxing, whether you are a beginner boxer or more experienced, involves recognising that you are on a learning curve. In this video I talk you through my observations as a boxing coach in respect of developing boxers, my own experience as a boxer and I also provide you with 6 tips to make the learning process efficient.
As a boxing coach, witnessing ‘overnight successes’ is very rare. In fact, only with 2 boxers in all that time did they go from being the classic ‘beginner boxer’ to an above average boxer in a short space of time.
There are many variables when learning how to box. The environment, the learning style of the boxer, the boxing coaching approach. Usually it takes me around 6-12 months to take an absolute beginner boxer and make them ready for a competitive boxing match.
And the learning curve is not a smooth, gradual curve over short periods – it is only smooth over a longer period. You will have bad days, days that you feel you have gotten worse as a boxer…but this is entirely natural. So be prepared for that and remain positive.
Some Tips to make your boxing learning curve as efficient as possible
- Learn by doing. Competitor or fitness, boxing drills, drills, drills! It’s a skills game. If you are looking to compete, then plenty of sparring when you are ready is also key
- It’s easy to be hyper-critical of yourself. Don’t. Learning boxing skills is not easy – the curve is not smooth!
- Set goals. Have a long term goal, but set short term ones too. You need small wins on your boxing journey.
- Measure progress. Video yourself doing some boxing skills, shadow boxing etc. A month later after working more drills, video yourself again and compare.
- It’s important to aim high, but it’s just as important to credit your improvement. So, look at where you have come from. Recognise small improvements and give yourself credit for it.
- Expect to have boxing training sessions that just don’t ‘click’. You will get better, those sessions often hide real improvement. Try your best to make your boxing training session great.
Go here to get your copy of The Beginner Boxer Toolkit: https://www.myboxingcoach.com
I would love to know what you think so leave a comment.
Cheers
Fran
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Thank you, Fran. Again, a very insightful lesson, based on long experience in the trenches. I teach guitar, and pretty much everything you say about learning boxing applies in that too (well, maybe not the bit about getting disembowelled 😖). Any physical skill, – it’s accurate repetition that makes the difference, – and I couldn’t agree more with what you say about how the curve only appears smooth when you view it over the longer term. My experience has been that the ‘off-days’ where nothing is working, often come just before a bit of a breakthrough, or a surge in progress.
Love your work, mate.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Best regards from down under.
Karl
Thanks for your contribution, glad that the disembowlments are few and far between in the guitar tuition world😀
Yes, exactly the same principle, and I get it. When teaching myself guitar (in the early 90s after I stopped boxing), I took the same approach. My drills were scales and chord shapes. But yes, struggle days are the launchpad for the next climb.
I really appreciate your continued involvement Karl, thank you so much.