COACHING SKILLS: By Brian W. Zelley, B. Com., CA
There are many types of boxing coaches and trainers with a wide
variety of ring skills. For amateur boxing there are plenty of
coaches with various levels of completion of coaching levels
from basics to advanced skills.
In December 1983, I wrote and article with the heading
"Jabs, Hooks and Crosses" which appeared in the
January 1984 issue of the "BC Amateur Boxing News".
The first part of the article dealt with stance and footwork
and balance. The next part dealt with coaching problems,
and the last part dealt with coaches and some requirements
to be a complete coach/trainer. That part is as follows:
RING SECONDING: A QUALITY OF A GOOD COACH:
"No coach is expected to be an expert in all aspects of boxing.
In my opinion, the basic skills required to be a first class coach
include conditioning of boxers, teaching skills, and
ring seconding skills.
*Ring seconding skills can be sub-divided into
**physical aspects required to ensure the boxer obtains the
maximum rest including proper sitting techniques for the
boxer, the correct application of water and giving the boxer
enough breathing room;
**communication skills required to inform the boxer of
'important instructions' at the proper time between rounds
of the contest; and
**analytical skills to observe the strengths and weaknesses of
each of the competitors.
A very important part of ring seconding is co-ordinated teamwork
by the chief seconder and the assistant.
Two serious errors by cornermen are
excess water and excess talking
The best method of improvement is self-study by observing and
thinking about the results of your work. Like good boxing,
good coaching comes from study and practice.
SYMBOLIC STEPS to SUCCESS: By Brian Zelley
Brian Zelley and Clark MacLellan
Post fight pose after the final bell
Nanaimo, BC fight card - Seventies
Introduction
It has been decades since I had the opportunity to teach boxing
skills on a regular basis, but as we follow the flow of boxing
activity today there are countless areas where every boxer
from young novice to seasoned pro can improve in attitude
and performance using four symbolic elements as the four
cornerstone of their gym training and ring activity.
THE FOUR CORNERSTONES:
WIND, LIGHTNING, FIRE and ICE
THE WIND
Using the symbolic wind element is to use the positive
and to avoid the negative wind. The negative wind is the
hot air that sometimes blows out of the mouths of boxers
or coaches with pre-fight hype or post fight excuses. it is the
type of wind that should be avoided at all times. Stupidity
through the mouth is a damaging force with no positive outcomes.
Positive Wind can be called "poetry in motion" and the
ability to change direction in a flash.
The Lightning
Lightning is symbolic for speed and power, but it also applies to
the thought process and the ability of cornermen to act
fast and accurate, knowing when and what suggestions
to offer between rounds. The best bet is to keep the suggestions
to a few words seconds before the bell for action.
The Fire
The fire can be used to describe the dedication desire and
determination The most important time for the fire element
to reach the white hot level is when it appears there is no hope
for victory, often that may appear after the first few seconds of a
bout, but in many contests it is the start of the last round.
That is when the boxer needs to dig deep into the boxing tool kit
with the highest level of determination and desire to pull victory
out of the jaws of defeat.
The Ice
The most important element for long term success is the
element of ice which is symbolic for COOL CALM and CONTROL.
Likely, the most important area is CONTROL of FEAR in all the many forms.
But being loose, cool and calm before stepping between the ring ropes is
highly desired for a smooth start when the bell rings for action and the
boxer with the cool attitude glides out to the middle of the ring to take
control of the action.
THE LAST ROUND
This report is just an overview of four elements for success
in boxing. No idea is carved in stone and each element can
be expanded to get to details of application from th ground-up
in the gym and the early days of boxing competition.
And even for experienced boxers when things
seem to be spinning out of control or heading south,
there is always the opportunity to revisit the four corners
and restart the engines.
Remember: anyone can become A CINDERELLA MAN
like JAMES J. BRADDOCK. There are countless stories
of world champions that bounced back from the land of nowhere
to win the big one such as
middleweight champion JOEY GIARDELLO and for a brief moment in time
there was ROCKY GRAZIANO who turned a rocky road into
a positive spin with the help of the symbolic WIND, LIGHTNING,
FIRE and ICE.
