Blog: Musings of a Boxing Fitness Coach

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The Art and Science of Boxing Technique: 20 Books to Explore

Mastering boxing technique, from footwork to specific punches, is crucial for success and can be developed using a wide array of specialized literature. This list of 20 essential books covers fundamentals and advanced strategies, featuring foundational texts like Championship Fighting by Jack Dempsey and How to Box by Joe Louis, alongside modern guides.

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Master These 7 Advanced Punches to Improve Your Boxing Skills

Advanced boxing punches are technique modifications designed to solve specific problems and improve overall skill by leveraging versatility, unexpected angles, and defensive counter-punching. These seven punches include the surprising low-to-high Up Jab, the guard-breaching Overhand, the body-focused Shovel Hook, the deceptive Bolo Punch, the counter-focused Split-Jab, the evasive Check Hook (with a pivot), and the hybrid Huppercut (hook and uppercut fusion).

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Film Study Stages

Effective film study for boxing involves a six-stage process that begins with setting a clear focus, such as technique or tactics, and carefully observing the footage without audio. The subsequent stages require the coach to analyze and name observed patterns, translate the skill into a teaching progression with drills, develop verbal and non-verbal coaching methods, and creatively brainstorm new applications for the technique.

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The Art of Misdirection: 7 Basic Feints for Boxers

Master the art of misdirection in boxing with this informative post. Learn about seven basic feints that can be used to deceive opponents and set up punches, from the jab feint to the slip feint. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced boxer, this post has something for everyone looking to improve their technique and add variety to their boxing arsenal.

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The 4 Stages of Learning

Whether you're learning to box or mastering a new skill, understanding the four stages of learning is crucial for success. This post breaks down each stage - from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence - providing expert insights and practical tips for navigating the learning process. So, get ready to improve your skills and achieve your goals with this comprehensive guide to the four stages of learning.

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7 Styles of Padwork in Boxing

To add variety and complexity to boxing training, padwork can be structured into seven distinct styles that help improve everything from single-punch mechanics to advanced combination delivery. These styles include foundational Single Punches and Short Combinations, progressive methods like Stacking and Layering, continuous drills like Looping, memory-focused drills using Names & Cues, and the high-pressure endurance training of Old School padwork.

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Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Are you looking to achieve peak performance and experience true fulfillment in your boxing training? "Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a must-read for anyone interested in the psychology of optimal experience. This post provides an overview of the book and its key concepts, including the state of flow, which is characterized by complete absorption in an activity and a feeling of effortless control. So, if you want to take your training to the next level and unlock your full potential as a boxer, check out this post on "Flow" today.

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Boxing History and Culture Deniz Ates Boxing History and Culture Deniz Ates

The International Boxing Hall of Fame

The International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), established in Canastota, New York, in 1990, inducts boxing champions and contributors selected by the Boxing Writers Association of America and an international panel of historians. Induction is based on strict criteria categorized by fighting era, including Modern, Late Era, Early Era, and Pioneers (pre-Marquess of Queensberry Rules), along with non-boxer categories for Non-Participants (e.g., trainers, promoters) and Observers (e.g., journalists, writers).

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Playing by the Rules: A Complete Guide to Boxing Fouls

Learn about the different types of boxing fouls and their consequences with this complete guide. Discover the rules and regulations governing boxing fouls, from low blows and headbutts to holding and pushing, in this informative post. Whether you're a fan of the sport or simply interested in learning more about the rules of boxing, this post is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the dos and don'ts of the sport.

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Elevating Fitness Coaching: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for Personal Trainers

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a foundational theory in humanistic psychology, but its traditional five-level structure ending at self-actualization is not universally accepted as the highest or final human motivation. The flexibility in the hierarchy is accounted for by Maslow's own qualifications regarding the fluidity of human motivation, and the other needs (Ethical, Cognitive, Aesthetic) are often considered non-hierarchical or supplementary.

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11 Counter-Punch Combinations for Beginners

Counter-punching is a critical skill for beginners to develop, and this list provides 11 combinations that immediately follow a specific defensive manoeuvre to turn defence into offense. These combinations pair basic defensive actions like the Lead Catch, Rear Block, Lead Slip, Rear Roll, or Pull with an immediate punch sequence, such as the basic Cross, Lead Hook, Cross, to train reflexes and timing.

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Creating Winning Workouts: A Quick Guide to Effective Session Planning

Effective session planning in boxing coaching requires a flexible, advanced approach where the coach prepares multiple versions (e.g., Version A, B, C) for each workout phase, including the warm-up, main workout, and cool down. This "versioning" allows the coach to smoothly adapt to common issues like equipment failure, participant confusion, or location changes, ensuring a safe, effective, and continuous training experience.

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The Health Commitment Statement (HCS)

The Health Commitment Statement (HCS) is a form used during gym sign-up that formalizes the balance of responsibility for health and wellbeing between the gym/trainer and the participant, evolving from the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). The HCS clearly lists mutual obligations, such as the facility's commitment to providing safe equipment and qualified trainers, and the participant's commitment to exercising within their abilities and seeking medical advice for pre-existing conditions.

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The Roots of Modern Boxing Equipment: Tracing the Origins and Innovations Behind Today's Gear

Explore the fascinating history of modern boxing equipment with this informative post. Learn about the origins and innovations behind today's gear, from gloves and hand wraps to punching bags and speed balls. Discover how changes in technology, materials, and design have transformed the sport of boxing over the years and how modern equipment has improved safety and performance in the ring. Whether you're a fan of the sport or simply interested in its history and evolution, this post is a great starting point for understanding the roots of modern boxing equipment.

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Footwork Programme

A comprehensive footwork programme for boxers develops skills through a progressive eight-stage sequence, starting with foundational stance and basic Half-Steps before advancing to Full Steps, Skipping, and Switching stances. The later stages focus on combining these movements into complex Footwork Combinations, integrating them with defensive and offensive layers (Layer Defences and Layer Attacks), and finally mastering dynamic movement within the Boxing Ring.

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How Boxing Coaches Can Improve Training with Film Study: Tips and Strategies

Discover how boxing coaches can improve their training programs with film study in this informative post. Learn about the benefits of using film study to analyze and improve technique, tactics, and strategy in boxing, and explore practical tips and strategies for incorporating film study into your coaching practice. Whether you're a personal trainer or a coach, this post has something for everyone looking to enhance their coaching skills and get better results from their athletes or clients.

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Combo Collection: 100 Iconic Boxing Combinations from Ali to Mayweather

Discover 100 iconic boxing combinations from the greatest boxers of all time in this informative post. From Muhammad Ali to Floyd Mayweather, explore the signature combinations that have made these boxers legends in the sport. Whether you're a fan of boxing or simply interested in learning more about the art of boxing combinations, this post is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their technique and add variety to their training routine.

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Counter-Punch Development Programme

A boxer develops counter-punching skills through a progressive, staged program that begins by mastering defensive actions like the Catch, Block, and Elbow (Blocks Only), followed immediately by offensive responses. The core of the program involves increasing complexity by progressing from Block and Single Punches (Stage 1) to Block and Two Punches (Stage 2) and Block and Three Punches (Stage 3), training the boxer to immediately and effectively retaliate using the hand that just defended.

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