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As a boxing coach, I’ve seen and learned a fair share about boxing. Today I’ll share my knowledge and give you my 11 best tips for beginners, who wants to excel in their boxing journey. Let’s begin, shall we?
The 11 best boxing tips for beginners
1. The Cornerstone of Boxing Excellence: Mastering the Basics
To transform from a beginner to a technical and advanced boxer, you must start at the foundation; the basics. This includes understanding footwork, mastering your stance, learning defensive tactics and mastering the basic punches.
These fundamentals provide the structure upon which you’ll build your boxing base, enabling you to execute more advanced techniques with ease.
2. The Most Important Punch: The Jab
You know what they say, don’t you?
“A Great right hand will take you around the block, but a great Jab will show you the world”
The jab is the Swiss Army knife of boxing. While it may seem simple, it possesses incredible utility. A well-executed jab can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm, create openings, and maintain distance. Its power isn’t in brute force but in the many ways to use it.
3. Speed Kills: Speed And Timing
While landing a knockout punch is tempting, it’s often the combination of speed and timing that will prevail. Instead of exhausting yourself by pursuing power punches, focus on refining your quickness and precision.
Speed and timing can deliver devastating, well-placed strikes.
4. The Quickest Way of Growth: Spar with Superior Opponents
Growth thrives in adversity. To truly evolve as a boxer, seek sparring sessions with opponents who challenge and surpass your skills. This environment forces you to adapt, sharpens your defensive abilities, and fast-tracks your mastery of new techniques. It’s where you’ll see your most rapid improvement.
When I was boxing myself, I’d always go and ask the guy who I knew could beat me the hardest. This made me evolve incredibly quickly because I learned what set him apart from the rest. If you are seeking fast growth and aren’t afraid of getting a beating, then I’ll highly recommend this tip for you.
5. The Wisdom of Humility: Listen and Learn
Check your ego at the gym’s door. Embrace the power of humility. Listen to your coaches, mentors, and fellow boxers. Welcome constructive criticism and guidance with an open heart and a teachable spirit. The more you absorb and learn, the faster you’ll progress.
At first, I also thought I was the best, but then I got a beating in sparring, and I decided to be more humble and listen more. This was a very wise decision, which I truly believe will help anyone. You can and should be confident, but always listen and learn!
6. The Endurance Advantage: Conditioning is Paramount
In a sport with grueling rounds, stamina is your most precious asset. Prioritize your conditioning, and your boxing journey will be smoother. Include shadowboxing, sparring, and focused work on the heavy bag in your training regimen.
Building your endurance ensures you can withstand the demands of the sport. Learn stamina here.
7. The Lessons of Defeat: Experience Trumps Wins
In your early days, concentrate on accumulating experience rather than fixating on victories. Each loss, while challenging, is a wellspring of education. These moments of defeat offer valuable lessons in strategy, resilience, and growth. Remember that it’s not about how you start, but how you endure and thrive.
You don’t have to match Floyd Mayweather’s perfect record. The record is perhaps of importance in professional boxing, but you need experience as an amateur. Learn now and thrive later. Learn more about going from beginner to pro, here.
8. The Nutritional Importance: Fueling Your Boxing Potential
Nutrition Matters: Nutrition is the cornerstone of your performance as a boxer. It’s not just about satisfying hunger; it’s about fueling your body with the essential components it needs to excel in the ring.
Balanced Diet: A balanced diet, rich in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and an array of vitamins and minerals, is fundamental. Proteins repair muscle tissue, carbohydrates provide energy, and micronutrients support overall health.
Hydration: Adequate hydration is non-negotiable. Dehydration can drastically affect your performance. Ensure you consume enough water before, during, and after training to stay at your best.
Meal Timing: When you eat is as important as what you eat. Consuming the right nutrients at the right time can enhance your training, aid in recovery, and optimize your performance.
9. The Mental Aspect: The Pinnacle of Boxing Performance
Have you ever heard this saying?
“Boxing is 70-80% inside the head”
Mind Over Matter: While the physical demands of boxing are substantial, the mental game is where the greatest battles are often fought and won. Mental toughness can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Visualization: Visualization is a powerful technique to enhance your boxing skills. Mentally rehearsing your moves, strategies, and reactions can help build muscle memory and sharpen your focus.
Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your regimen to manage stress, anxiety, and pre-fight nerves. A calm and focused mind is your ally in the ring.
10. Return Stronger: Recovery and Rest
Recovery’s Role: In boxing, your body takes a beating, which makes recovery paramount. Recovery is when your body heals and grows stronger, ready for the next training session or bout.
Rest Days: Don’t underestimate the value of rest days. Overtraining can lead to fatigue, injury, and burnout. Incorporate regular rest days into your training schedule to recharge your physical and mental batteries.
Sleep Quality: Quality sleep is essential for your body to recover. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support muscle repair and cognitive function.
Active Recovery: Incorporate active recovery methods like stretching, yoga, or low-intensity exercises on rest days to maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of injuries.
11. The Path to Progress: Setting Goals and Tracking Your Journey
Goal Setting: Setting clear, achievable goals is foundational to your boxing journey. Goals provide you with a purpose, motivating you to improve and succeed.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Differentiate between short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are specific, achievable targets in the near future, while long-term goals outline your ultimate aspirations in the sport.
Tracking Progress: Regularly assess your performance to track your progress. Monitoring your results allows you to fine-tune your training strategies and identify areas that need improvement.
Adapt and Refine: Be prepared to adapt and refine your goals based on your evolving skill level and competition outcomes. Your goals should always reflect your current capabilities and ambitions.
Summary – From beginner to pro with these tips
Following these 11 steps will without a doubt, take you a step closer to go from a boxing beginner to an intermediate. As a boxer you’ll continue to learn throughout your “career”, which makes it so incredibly exciting!
I really hope you learned from this and that you’ll follow the tips and perhaps share this article with some of your boxing buddies 🙂
