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Training Advice & Info
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These articles have all appeared (or will soon appear) in national martial arts magazines. In the future I hope to upload the printed versions. Name of the publication and date of the issue are given at the bottom of each piece.
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FIGHT PREPERATION – IN THE CORNER
FIGHTER PREPERATION – PHYSICAL
The techniques and methods used during fight preparation are specific to the ability, experience and natural inclination of the fighter. However there are broad guidelines to follow and essential considerations for any fight. The first of these is the duration of the fight, the number and length of the rounds. The internal body clock must be set to work for a time (the length of each round) and be used to recovering in the time available between rounds. Don’t assume you know what these times are, always confirm them with the promoter and get it in writing either in a contract or in their book of regulations. Training must be geared up to follow this cycle of activity and rest. The duration of the fight, that is, the number of rounds is a secondary consideration. Most, if not all, training sessions last much longer than the maximum length of any fight, 15 minutes for Muay Thai and 24 minutes for Full Contact or Kickboxing. Aerobic fitness should never be a problem. If the fighter does not have the aerobic capacity to complete the ring time how do they manage in the gym? The real issue is intensity of work and the amount of time they have to spend in the anaerobic state. As part of the sessions, as well as devoting time to drilling the skills, techniques and attributes you want to develop for each fighter, you must include a period of high intensity anaerobic activity to mimic the stress put on the fighter during the contest. This could be working rounds on the Thai pads, keeping the fighter under constant pressure ensuring they are not allowed to rest during the work phase. It could involve high repetition conditioning work, squat jumps, press-ups or constant punching above shoulder level. A combination of these, coupled with high quality realistic sparring should ensure an adequate level of anaerobic as well as aerobic fitness. The total duration of this activity should exceed the fight requirements to give confidence to the fighter and allow a margin for the effects of nervous stress on the night (see below for more detail).
A significant factor impacting on the fitness and health of the fighter is the need to make weight. Given the narrow range within each weight category it is hard to understand why trainers insist on entering fighters for contests in weight categories they are not naturally suited to. If they are training regularly enough to be fighting they should not have any real excess weight to lose without compromising their health. The majority of serious injuries, particularly brain damage, can be linked to dehydration and the effects of weight loss. No responsible coach will pressure a fighter to loose weight to make a fight. Having said that, it is natural that as the fighter increases his training before the fight and improves their diet, they will loose a little weight (1 or 2 kg). This varies between fighters and should be known to the coach. If a fighter is slightly heavy in training no special measures are usually required. Dietary restrictions, steam baths and other measures will undermine the fighter’s health and their energy reserves. Also note that other than in title matches fighters will be allowed to fight if slightly over weight. In addition you cannot rely on the consistent accuracy of the scales used by promoters. Take a pragmatic view, aim to be in the middle of the weight range and ensure your fighter is fighting in the right category.
To do the job correctly you need time. However desperate you are to keep your fighter busy or get them a title shot do not accept last minute offers if you do not have sufficient time to prepare. Trying to achieve too much in too little time is a sure way to over training and poor performance in the ring. It may be hard to say no but sometimes it’s the best course of action.
FIGHTER PREPERATION – MENTAL
Is your fighter confident of his physical fitness and his ability to complete the fight? See above and ensure you have taken care of the physical requirements. Why do they want to fight and specifically why do they want this fight? Check their reasons, make sure they are clear about their motives and ensure they are doing it for themselves, not to please you or anyone else. Are there any distractions that will take their mind of the fight or the preparation? Are they settled at work and in their personal relationships? Most people can balance their time and it is unrealistic to expect an amateur fighter to devote themselves full time to preparing for the fight, but you need to be aware of any serious problems that can interfere with your plans.
There are many approaches to mental preparation ranging from meditation through visualisation to the all out phsycological techniques, which can border on brain washing. The philosophy of the camp will set the general limits on your options but then it is a matter of trial and error to find what works for each individual. The main thing is that this area is not forgotten in the rush to prepare the physical components of the fighter.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
If you are serious about your job, you will try to keep up with what is going on in your area or the association you usually fight with. Despite the failure of the specialist Thai and Kickboxing magazines, there are still regular reports in the established martial arts publications such as Fighters. However, video is a wonderful thing. Most shows are taped and many of these are available to buy from the promoter. So, if possible, get tapes of your opponents and study them, but remember their coach will also have the tape and should have been working to eradicate those weaknesses you are hoping to exploit. If you cannot get a video talk to people they have fought or people who have seen them fight or people who went to school with their sister (I’m sure you get the idea). Knowledge, as they say, is power.
TRAVEL
The promoter should provide directions, maps etc but it is sensible to double-check with the latest road atlas or preferably, the most up to date AutoRoute planner you can find. This will give you the best route, distance and most importantly the time you will need (add half an hour to be safe and allow for “comfort breaks”). Pack water, energy drinks and snacks unless you want your fighter to enter the ring full of Big Mac’s and French fries. Don’t overload the car, ensure the fighter has room to stretch out and relax during the journey. Pick their travelling companions with care, four hours in a car with the wrong person can do serious damage to a fighters mental state.
WEIGH IN & MEDICALS
Though the promoter may set the time for the weigh in to suit the local fighters rather than the opposition it is always best to get there on time. This way you get to see the opponent weighing in and can raise any problems early enough to sort them out. If your fighter comes in heavy and has to skip there is more time for him to rest before the fight. Some promoters are now holding the weigh ins the day before or in the morning rather than a few hours before the show, but unless they are willing to put you up in a hotel, this favours the local fighter not the opposition. In this event you need to negotiate a different time, even if this means compromising on seeing your opponent, getting extra rest before the fight etc.
CHANGING ROOMS AND CORRIDORS
Locate your changing room as soon as you can. Often this may be a corridor or a storage cupboard but it’s all you’re going to get so make the best of it. Block off any exits to stop others using it as a thoroughfare (think about safety in the event of fire or other emergency!) Create a little privacy, cover windows and put up “No Entry” signs. Tidy the area and find room for your bags, pads etc. Get a couple of chairs and a table if possible to use during wrapping and oiling the fighter. Decide how much space you need for the warm up and put your mark on it. You will probably be sharing with other camps so check the running order and try negotiating time slots so you don’t end up falling over each other. Locate the toilets, cold water and if you are really lucky, the showers (Please note these are usually in the home camps changing room and are not available to visitors).
COUNTDOWN TO LIFT OFF
Ensure you get a copy of the running order and some estimate of the time your fighter is on. This is likely to be wildly inaccurate so keep an eye on what is happening in the hall and prepare to be flexible. If the worst comes to the worst, don’t panic, they can’t start the fight without you. Estimate the time you need to get ready (wrap the hands, oil the fighter, warm up, run through tactics, motivate, focus, meditate etc.) and work backwards from the time you expect the fight to start. Most promoters try to have the fighters ready to go even before the last fight is over, so give yourself a few minutes just in case.
TACTICS AND TEAM TALKS
The night of the fight is not the right time to be holding an in-depth tactical discussion, unless you have had a change of opponent sprung on you at the weigh-in. You should have discussed, agreed and tried out your game plan in the relative comfort of the gym. Your corner team should be familiar with their roles and your expectations. However with some many things going on it is a good idea to find some time to briefly run through the main points of your tactics and ensure everyone is on board.
BANDAGES, LINIMENT AND LUBRICATION
Timing is a personal preference. Some fighters like to leave getting ready as late as possible, some like to get the hand wrapping out of the way and then have a period relaxing before they oil up. In general, wrapping the hands comes first and there are thousands of ways to do it. If the fighter feels comfortable and you abide by the rules governing bandages and tapes, then it should be all right (though all associations have rules covering hand wrapping very few seem to bother enforcing them, something that definitely needs to be improved). Liniment is part of the tradition of Muay Thai, and for many people, that is the main reason for using it. However unless it is applied as part of a skilful massage, it will do little to warm up the muscles, simply pulling blood to the surface of the skin and producing a feeling of warmth. It is essential that liniment is not applied too close to the start of the fight. The blood must be allowed to settle back into the muscles. Also remember that this will also increase bruising and therefore no liniment should be applied to the shins before the fight. Quite the contrary in fact, use cool gel (perhaps with ibuprofen?) to reduce pain and subsequent bruising in this area (ensure you wash your hands between applying the liniment and the cool gel). Vaseline should be applied as late as possible as this can inhibit sweating and other skin cooling mechanisms
ALL THE TOOLS FOR THE JOB
It is amazing the number of trainers who arrive at fights without the basic tools. On any given show you are asked to lend pads, tape, liniment, Vaseline, bandages to at least two or three camps. In the spirit of martial brotherhood you of course help them out, but it’s very irritating. I’m not going to produce a list as each coach has their own approach but the toolbox should include the following as a minimum. What the fighter will wear in the ring and on their way to the ring (Anklets, shorts, robe, towel, groin guard, gum shield etc.) What you will apply to the fighter, usually liniment and Vaseline, but may include cool gels etc. The equipment for warm up and preparation, (Rope, Pads, Coach Spar Mitts etc).
WARM UP OR WEAR OUT?
Get the timing right. Don’t get the fighter warm and let them cool off before the fight. If you have to warm up again you eat into the fighter’s physical reserves and mess up their mental preparation. Experiment with the amount of time and the type of warm up they require. This varies fighter to fighter and will depend on length and duration of the fight. Find out what they are comfortable with. Many fighters put on their best performance in the dressing room. Don’t tire them out with a lengthy, intense session and don’t neglect the time to sit and rest before the fight. This is often key to developing their mental focus.
MAKING AN ENTRANCE
A well-run show will expect you to be ready before the last fight has finished. You will then be shown to a holding area. If you are a visitor or challenging for a title you will also have to wait until your opponent has entered the ring. So, keep your fighter warm, make sure he is well wrapped and keep him moving lightly. Most fights are held on licensed premises, there is always the danger of broken glass; discarded cigarettes etc. so make sure the fighter is wearing shoes. Use the wait to reemphasis your game plan, be positive, and reassure your fighter. When called to the ring, take your time, walk slowly and project confidence (never cockiness). Precede your fighter to the ring. It doesn’t matter how the fighter enters the ring, but know their preference; you don’t want to press down the ropes if he’s trying to get through them or vice versa. Once in the ring (fighter and chief second only), greet the referee and acknowledge your opponent. Remove the robe. The referee will check the groin guard, hand wraps or gloves dependent on the rules about gloving up (before you enter or in the ring) and ensure you have the fighters gum shield. Whether or not the fighter performs the Ram Muay is a personal choice but if you decline and the other fighter does the dance your fighter will have longer to stand around cooling off. It’s up to you.
LOOK & LEARN
A good fighter will think on their feet and adapt to the opponent, but your job is still to observe both fighters (and the referee, don’t underestimate the influence they have on the way the fight goes) and focus on the basic problems and solutions. Identify the major factors and one or two methods of dealing with them. Don’t be too detailed, you haven’t got the time to put everything right in the breaks (see below). Simple observations (He is dropping his right hand when he kicks) or suggestions (Move left, throw the right hand) are as much as you need, then if this doesn’t work, try something else. Keep an eye on the time and ensure you are ready to get into the ring as soon as the bell goes.
FILL IN THE GAPS
Be ready to get the stool in the ring as soon as the bell goes. Sit the fighter down, remove the gum shield and pass it to your second to wash off. Give them a drink. Spray their face; apply ice to their neck or any injured areas that need icing. Take care of the physical needs first. Rest their hands on the knees, keep their head up and chest open to assist deep breathing. Whilst all of this is going on you should be talking to them, emphasise what they are doing well, suggest simple strategies to correct errors or take advantage of the opponents mistakes. Again, I emphasise, keep it simple. If you have washed and wiped off the face area, reapply Vaseline. Monitor the time. You need to be out of the ring before the fight can resume. If your fighter needs a little more rest take your time, if the opponent needs the time get out as quickly as possible. Do whatever you can to give your fighter an advantage, but don’t be too obvious.
TAKE IT LIKE A MAN (THOSE IMPOSTERS ETC.)
Unless you knock out your opponent your fate lies in the hands of the judges. Many of these will have only limited training or experience in the role. The crowd and their own prejudices will influence them. After all they are only human. The usual criteria of scoring effective blows followed by who is controlling the fight etc. often gets substituted by a preference for scoring on aggression or who is going forward. You cannot control the judge’s decision, so you either accept it or stay at home. It’s bad enough when a fighter reacts badly to a decision but, after all, he’s on an emotional high. When the corner men, especially an instructor, looses their temper over a decision it sets a very bad example and can do nothing but damage to the reputation of a camp. As the advert says learn to look both victory and defeat in the face and recognise them both as impostors. No one is getting rich from this sport. If a fighter looses he’s not going to miss out on a multi-million dollar fight in Las Vegas. Unless the fighter learns something from the fight, he’s a loser whatever the decision. Learn from the experience and grow as a coach and a man in the process.
DEBRIEFING
Whatever way the fight ends your fighter will not be in the best frame of mind to accept any criticism however positive and well meant. If he has won he can’t have done anything wrong surely. If he’s lost then it was a bad decision. The time for reflection comes later. The only exception is in the case of an extreme reaction. By this I mean a fighter who believes he can challenge for a title because he’s won a three round fight or someone who wants to mouth off at the promoter because they feel they were robbed. Nip it in the bud quickly. Calm them down. This may require a few home truths and they won’t thank you for it, but it has to be done.
Wait a few days until some of the physical and emotional pain has eased and talk to them then. Before they restart training the body you must deal with any mental garbage they are carrying. If you don’t deal with this straight away you won’t deal with it at all, convincing yourself that all they need is to learn another combination or sharpen their jab. Be specific, keep it factual and non-judgemental. Don’t say, “Your front kick was pathetic!” all that will do is put your fighter on the defensive. Rather ask them about a problem and get them to suggest a solution, “Why did you always end up in the clinch when we agreed to fight at distance for the first two rounds?” They may then admit that their front kick wasn’t accurate enough or strong enough and they may suggest they concentrate on improving this area, which will do more to ensure commitment then simple criticism. Again video is invaluable for analysing performance. Praise the good things they did before picking fault. Aim to capitalise on their strong points and eliminate their weak points. Video can be slowed down and repeated as often as you need to convince your fighter that what you are saying is a fact not simply your opinion. As before get them to tell you what they are doing, if possible, get them to commentate on the fight as you watch it. Getting them to look at their performance as an impartial observer can be a powerful tool for understanding what is really going on.
BE POSITIVE BUT BE REALISTIC
Not everyone who wants to fight should be fighting. As a coach you have the responsibility to saving people from themselves to some degree. If they want to try it for the experience you have to make sure that experience is as pleasant and rewarding as possible. Ensure they are evenly matched and be honest about their performance. Don’t let them fight five rounds if they are struggling with three. Don’t put them in with quality fighters unless they have the experience and ability to cope. Telling a fighter that they shouldn’t fight is one of the hardest things you have to do, but also one of the most important. Hopefully fighters will look back on their ring career and have positive, enjoyable memories. You have a big part to play in ensuring that they do. Don’t sacrifice your fighters to feed your own ego or theirs.
IT’S YOUR FAULT (SO JUST ACCEPT IT)
As Steve Hateley once said “When the fighter wins he’s the best fighter in the world, but when he loses you’re the worst coach in the world”. Harsh but often true. At the end of the day the fighter is the one taking the pain in the ring, so if you cannot handle a bit of criticism maybe coaching's not for you.
Fighters Magazine
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