Posted on September 10, 2016 by Kate Halsall
It’s suddenly dawned on some of the girls this week (or at least that they’re admitting too out loud), that we’re going to be fighting each other soon. We’re looking around the room and eyeing up anyone roughly the same weight and height. We’re watching their every move: how hard do they punch, what are their blocking skills like, are they fast on their feet, what are their fitness levels like……… Lee has been a great coach, breaking down the boxing technique into chunks to stop us from being overwhelmed and generally panicking. But when that bell rings, what’s to stop you coming out all guns blazing and swinging those arms around – what’s to stop me punching like the duracell bunny?!?
I’ve done my share of competition sports. I know that there’s going to be those nervous/excited butterflies whilst we wait and prepare to fight. I also know that when the adrenalin kicks in who knows what’s going to happen? Will everything other than the punching go out the window? After all, we all want to win!! We’ve all got people coming to watch and sponsor supporting us – we don’t want to let them down. And as I test my blocking skills and keep punching myself in the face, reality is starting to kick in…am I any good at this – and get a grip, there’s pride at stake!
From watching some of the past fights on the internet, here are some of my tactics to not flail my arms around:
- Don’t tire yourself out! If I go out all guns blazing I’m not going to last 3 rounds! But in case I can’t help myself, I’m really going to focus on my fitness for the next 3 weeks.
- Quality Punches. It’s not about knocking your opponent out in Pink Collar Boxing (although that would mean it’s over quicker) – points mean prizes. I need to focus on getting those punches in, on countering and reaching my target.
- Move! We’ve not been practising footwork for no reason. Move around the ring, slip and duck the punches and when you get a punch in, move away so that they can’t counter.
Let’s lots of great quotes on the web by famous boxers about the physical and metal preparation, about believing in yourself….but I found a great quote to keep me focused :
“If you screw things up in tennis, it’s 15-love. If you screw up in boxing, it’s your ass.” – Randall “Tex” Cobb
http://www.mightyfighter.com/inspirational-motivational-boxing-quotes/