Training Goals for a Beginner Fighter

Training
1

I posted this in my other thread, but it wasn’t relevant to the OP, and consequently I think it might be better to put it in a separate thread. I hope noone minds me creating a second thread so soon after my first. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the last one.

The post was as follows:

Perhaps then, if I could impose on everyone’s generosity a bit further, you could help me identify some goals for the next year or so of training. I think if I have definite targets to aim for I will be better able to find the conviction Donny talks about. I would like the targets to be ambitious, but realisable for someone with perfect training and genuine standout talent.

I’m not suggesting I have either, but those are the standards I would like to be measured against, and to aim for. If I were possessed of an unusual aptitude for boxing, and attacked my training with conviction and intelligence, where should I be in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and a year? I do accept that it isn’t a straightforward question to answer, and there are many variables.

I obviously don’t expect to be winning the ABAs in the next twelve months, but other than that, I don’t really know what to expect, or what I could be pushing myself for, other than the abstract concept of being the best I can be. I want ultimately to be the best boxer who has only been training a year in the country, but I also want to know what that might look like!

I’m sure a great many beginner fighters stumble across this fantastic resource, just as I did, and would appreciate some yardsticks to measure themselves against.

2

Hey man, another nice thread topic.

Combat Sports are a different code than your regular team sport or any other athletic endevour.
Athletes have set times to beat, heights to jump or points to score; for martial artists the goal is more obscure.
However, at the end of the day, your best measuring stick is competition. You will never know how good you are without competing.

You are looking for a definable target.
But its so difficult to ascertain where you are in this sport without competition.

Luckily the infrastructure is there.

Local championships, Regional Championships, National Championships, Continental Championships, World Chamionships, Olympics.

Every bout you compete in is a step on the same ladder everyone competes in.
How far do you want to climb?

3

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Hey man, another nice thread topic.

Combat Sports are a different code than your regular team sport or any other athletic endevour.
Athletes have set times to beat, heights to jump or points to score; for martial artists the goal is more obscure.
However, at the end of the day, your best measuring stick is competition. You will never know how good you are without competing.

You are looking for a definable target.
But its so difficult to ascertain where you are in this sport without competition.

Luckily the infrastructure is there.

Local championships, Regional Championships, National Championships, Continental Championships, World Chamionships, Olympics.

Every bout you compete in is a step on the same ladder everyone competes in.
How far do you want to climb?[/quote]

Thank you for responding. Honestly, I want to be the best. It was a big decision to take up a new sport at my age, especially one like this. Because of that, I don’t have any interest in doing it for recreation, or just to tell my mates I’ve done it. I’m in it to be the very best. How close I’ll get, only time will tell. But I thought long and hard about whether it was worth going down this path at the age I am, and having made the decision, I don’t want any half measures. I don’t need the skills for self defense, I don’t get into trouble generally, and I’m fit and strong enough for most things. The only point in joining the gym, and committing to training, was to be the best boxer possible.

It’s difficult to convey, but basically I don’t need this, I want it. It’s not for self-esteem, for safety, for fitness, for looking like a tough guy - I have my shit together already. This is all about a sport I’ve always loved and admired, and now I finally have the chance, I want to go at it for all I’m worth.

Edit: I wanted to ask you more about the competition side of things. I want to compete once I am ready. What is a good time period for a promising fighter to be having their first fight? That should probably be my first target, to be genuinely ready (prepared and able) for my first fight. What sort of time frame would make you really think, ‘shit, this kid’s made good progress, he must have potential’.

From there I suppose the next step is winning a local title. What sort of timeframe might be respectable there? I live in Southampton (UK), so there are some pretty decent fighters about.

Sorry for all the questions. I feel if I have definite goals, it will be easier to focus on improving rather than just surviving.

4

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
Thank you for responding. Honestly, I want to be the best. It was a big decision to take up a new sport at my age, especially one like this. Because of that, I don’t have any interest in doing it for recreation, or just to tell my mates I’ve done it. I’m in it to be the very best. How close I’ll get, only time will tell. But I thought long and hard about whether it was worth going down this path at the age I am, and having made the decision, I don’t want any half measures. I don’t need the skills for self defense, I don’t get into trouble generally, and I’m fit and strong enough for most things. The only point in joining the gym, and committing to training, was to be the best boxer possible.

It’s difficult to convey, but basically I don’t need this, I want it. It’s not for self-esteem, for safety, for fitness, for looking like a tough guy - I have my shit together already. This is all about a sport I’ve always loved and admired, and now I finally have the chance, I want to go at it for all I’m worth.

[/quote]
It’s age old.
Gene Tunney summed it up best with his book title “A man must fight.”

I really think you’ve got a great attitude.
My only advice would be to keep reading, learning, questioning and evolving.

5

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
Thank you for responding. Honestly, I want to be the best. It was a big decision to take up a new sport at my age, especially one like this. Because of that, I don’t have any interest in doing it for recreation, or just to tell my mates I’ve done it. I’m in it to be the very best. How close I’ll get, only time will tell. But I thought long and hard about whether it was worth going down this path at the age I am, and having made the decision, I don’t want any half measures. I don’t need the skills for self defense, I don’t get into trouble generally, and I’m fit and strong enough for most things. The only point in joining the gym, and committing to training, was to be the best boxer possible.

It’s difficult to convey, but basically I don’t need this, I want it. It’s not for self-esteem, for safety, for fitness, for looking like a tough guy - I have my shit together already. This is all about a sport I’ve always loved and admired, and now I finally have the chance, I want to go at it for all I’m worth.

[/quote]
It’s age old.
Gene Tunney summed it up best with his book title “A man must fight.”

I really think you’ve got a great attitude.
My only advice would be to keep reading, learning, questioning and evolving.[/quote]

Thanks for the kind words, mate.

I edited my last post, but you were lightening quick on the response, so I will post it as a separate thing in case you wouldn’t otherwise have seen it.

I asked:

I wanted to ask you more about the competition side of things. I want to compete once I am ready. What is a good time period for a promising fighter to be having their first fight? That should probably be my first target, to be genuinely ready (prepared and able) for my first fight. What sort of time frame would make you really think, ‘shit, this kid’s made good progress, he must have potential’.

From there I suppose the next step is winning a local title. What sort of timeframe might be respectable there? I live in Southampton (UK), so there are some pretty decent fighters about.

Sorry for all the questions. I feel if I have definite goals, it will be easier to focus on improving rather than just surviving.

6

  1. have outstanding fundamental punching skills; whether you are hitting the bag mitts, or partner (if doing countering drills or sparring) you should aim to be able to throw crisp, accurate, well timed (both in terms of kinetic linking and timing speed), well balanced, always covered/from a solid defensive position without opening up more than necessary or telegraphing and always immediately returning to a good defensive position punches and be able to continue doing so for an extended time frame (aim for 12 rounds).

  2. have outstanding footwork, head and body rythym skills; be able to move skillfully and decisively in any direction at any time and maintain your functional fighting platform (the ability to punch, move or defend effectively). You should be able to explosively close the gap to your opponent, clear back out of range quickly when need be, turn in or out, cut the ring off on a runner or circle out of the corner against a pressure fighter. Also seek to stay in constant motion whether it be moving your head and body or feet to continually fluctuate your distance, target position, and/or alignment and deny your opponent the ability to “get set” to launch their offense.

  3. develop outstanding defensive skills; while #2 will greatly aid in this, sometimes you will either want to hold your ground and fight or be forced to do so. So, you should seek to develop your evasive body and head movements (learn to slip, bob, weave, snap back, roll, cover, parry, catch and cuff incoming punches).

Even this is quite a tall order and not truly attainable in a years time (one could argue that perfection in such areas is never attainable), but if you spend your time and energy building up this foundation you will be well ahead of the game and any coach worth his/her salt will be able to very quickly build upon your fundamentals and start teaching you advanced strategies, ring generalship, the cerebral side of combat, or any of the other higher level aspects of the sweet science. In other words put first things first and worry about trying to build the best possible base first, don’t rush to grt in the ring or try to win Golden Gloves. Good luck and work hard.

7

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
I wanted to ask you more about the competition side of things. I want to compete once I am ready. What is a good time period for a promising fighter to be having their first fight? That should probably be my first target, to be genuinely ready (prepared and able) for my first fight. What sort of time frame would make you really think, ‘shit, this kid’s made good progress, he must have potential’.

From there I suppose the next step is winning a local title. What sort of timeframe might be respectable there? I live in Southampton (UK), so there are some pretty decent fighters about.

[/quote]

I think that 12 months is a good time frame.
The United Kingdom has an excellent method of schooling fighters and you’d probably be looking at this time frame.
However, in the mean time you may partake in inter-club sparring or exhibitions. You can really gain experience in these, so I wouldnt be rushing to fight.

To be honest the longer you go without competing, the more time you have to learn your craft and formulate strategem.

Some good fighters around Southampton for sure.
Thats good though. Stiff competition will help you advance quicker.

One flaw here is that I’m irish.
Our schooling is similar to the mexicans, puerto ricans etc.
We have 100’s of am bouts and learn the hard way.
The UK are much more modern in their approach.

8

[quote]Sentoguy wrote:

  1. have outstanding fundamental punching skills; whether you are hitting the bag mitts, or partner (if doing countering drills or sparring) you should aim to be able to throw crisp, accurate, well timed (both in terms of kinetic linking and timing speed), well balanced, always covered/from a solid defensive position without opening up more than necessary or telegraphing and always immediately returning to a good defensive position punches and be able to continue doing so for an extended time frame (aim for 12 rounds).

  2. have outstanding footwork, head and body rythym skills; be able to move skillfully and decisively in any direction at any time and maintain your functional fighting platform (the ability to punch, move or defend effectively). You should be able to explosively close the gap to your opponent, clear back out of range quickly when need be, turn in or out, cut the ring off on a runner or circle out of the corner against a pressure fighter. Also seek to stay in constant motion whether it be moving your head and body or feet to continually fluctuate your distance, target position, and/or alignment and deny your opponent the ability to “get set” to launch their offense.

  3. develop outstanding defensive skills; while #2 will greatly aid in this, sometimes you will either want to hold your ground and fight or be forced to do so. So, you should seek to develop your evasive body and head movements (learn to slip, bob, weave, snap back, roll, cover, parry, catch and cuff incoming punches).

Even this is quite a tall order and not truly attainable in a years time (one could argue that perfection in such areas is never attainable), but if you spend your time and energy building up this foundation you will be well ahead of the game and any coach worth his/her salt will be able to very quickly build upon your fundamentals and start teaching you advanced strategies, ring generalship, the cerebral side of combat, or any of the other higher level aspects of the sweet science. In other words put first things first and worry about trying to build the best possible base first, don’t rush to grt in the ring or try to win Golden Gloves. Good luck and work hard.[/quote]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write out such a complete response. #2 is something I’ve definitely just discovered and it’s opened up a whole new set of things to work on, just as I think I’m starting to get the hang of it all!

#3 I can do well in drills, but am too tense in sparring currently, as mentioned in the other thread. I will work on this as you’ve suggested in both threads.

9

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
I wanted to ask you more about the competition side of things. I want to compete once I am ready. What is a good time period for a promising fighter to be having their first fight? That should probably be my first target, to be genuinely ready (prepared and able) for my first fight. What sort of time frame would make you really think, ‘shit, this kid’s made good progress, he must have potential’.

From there I suppose the next step is winning a local title. What sort of timeframe might be respectable there? I live in Southampton (UK), so there are some pretty decent fighters about.

[/quote]

I think that 12 months is a good time frame.
The United Kingdom has an excellent method of schooling fighters and you’d probably be looking at this time frame.
However, in the mean time you may partake in inter-club sparring or exhibitions. You can really gain experience in these, so I wouldnt be rushing to fight.

To be honest the longer you go without competing, the more time you have to learn your craft and formulate strategem.

Some good fighters around Southampton for sure.
Thats good though. Stiff competition will help you advance quicker.

One flaw here is that I’m irish.
Our schooling is similar to the mexicans, puerto ricans etc.
We have 100’s of am bouts and learn the hard way.
The UK are much more modern in their approach.[/quote]

This is very interesting. It seems from what you and Sento say that, unlike a lot of sports where regular matches (like football) give you the opportunity to make major improvements, boxing is a sport where you really can become good through great training. I don’t think I’ve expressed that very well, but it seems like, moreso than many other sports, there is a lot to be said for holding off from competition and spending more time developing skills.

Ye from what I hear this is a competitive area. I will hold off posting for a bit now. Maybe in a month or two I can start putting some sparring videos up for some feedback on. The input of guys like you, Sento Irish etc would be awesome.

10

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
This is very interesting. It seems from what you and Sento say that, unlike a lot of sports where regular matches (like football) give you the opportunity to make major improvements, boxing is a sport where you really can become good through great training. I don’t think I’ve expressed that very well, but it seems like, moreso than many other sports, there is a lot to be said for holding off from competition and spending more time developing skills.

Ye from what I hear this is a competitive area. I will hold off posting for a bit now. Maybe in a month or two I can start putting some sparring videos up for some feedback on. The input of guys like you, Sento Irish etc would be awesome. [/quote]
The thing about combat sports is there is a role for everyone.
Tall short skinny broad- whatever… you can make it work if you have the ethos :slight_smile:

Be glad to help any way i can man.

11

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
I’m in it to be the very best. [/quote]