Boxing Coach Job Description

Can you imagine what the job description for an amateur boxing coach would have to entail?  In order to do a credible description, we would really have to list all of the different functions a coach performs.  I started to put together a short list of attributes, but it quickly became a long list.  Keep in mind, in some cases, you may be the only one performing these functions, in which case it's crucial since this is a young life we're talking about.  If you can think of any that I have overlooked, drop me a line via email, and let me know.

Boxer (at least at some point in your life)--you have to know what you are doing before you can pass it on.  The adage, "those that can, do, those that can't, teach" doesn't apply in this sport.

Choreographer--teaching kids footwork and movement is trying to teach an ostrich how to perform ballet a trampoline.

Medical Officer--making sure they are healthy to train and fight and stay that way.  Patch them up when they get banged up.

Personal Trainer--customize a training and conditioning program for your fighters and then monitor their progress.  Be prepared to respond to "but coach, I was reading in a muscle mag that it should be done a different way."

Den mother--when a bunch of amateur boxers get together it can be like supervising a pack of wolf cubs.  Feed them, watch over them, and snarl every so often to let them know who is boss.

Enforcement Officer--"these are the rules, follow them, you train to fight, whether or not you ever do" may be the best phrase you have--short and to the point.  Be prepared to impose sanctions. Lots of push-ups are the preferred therapy--like chicken soup, it may not help but it can't hurt.  You can't make them stand in the corner, going to the corner has a whole different connotation in this sport.

Truant Officer--making sure they go to school and do their lessons when they would rather be at the gym, because you know what happens when they don't.  Be prepared to answer the question, "when am I really going to use geometry"?  "Someday soon" is a pretty good general response.

Hygienist--constantly reminding them to "hit the showers."  Especially true for mostly hydrophobic pre-teen kids.

Laundry Officer--remind them to wash their handwraps and other items because the smell can knock a buzzard off a dung wagon at fifty paces.  Also remind them that anything washed in the load with the new red handwraps will emerge from the washer with a distinct, permanent,  pink tinge.

Equipment Manager--someone has to make sure the equipment is maintained, gloves and headgear are hung up to dry, the ropes are taut, and that the boxers have their personal gear.

Logistician--You have six boxers that need to get to a tournament 60 miles away.  You have a four passenger auto in various states of disrepair, public transportation doesn't go where you need to be (a least on the human time scale), none of your boxers drive since the oldest is 13-years-old, and parents are no where to be found.  Yet, you somehow manage to get them there in time for weigh-in and get them home before curfew.  Don't worry about having them to the venue on  time.  In the history of amateur boxing, the bouts have never started on time, except the one time you are running late.

Custodian--when everyone has left and you are about to turn out the lights, you realize the place is a mess and needs to be cleaned.  Hint--the mop head should be moved left-to-right-back-and forth.  Even if you have help from the kids, you need to convince them that hot water and soap is better than just plain cold water.

Confidant--after a while the kids will confide things in you that they won't tell or can't tell anyone else.  You may be the only one who pays attention.  Requires excellent listening skills.

Linguist and Translator--when you give them directions they will look at you like you are speaking a totally incomprehensible language.  Try a different one.  Try several, all at the same time.  Eventually one will be found that works.  Talking louder if they don't understand you has no effect.

Fund Raiser--have you ever seen an amateur boxing program that was adequately funded, outside of those sponsored by the armed services?

Time Manager--you better learn to manage it, because you will never have enough of it.

Historian--someone has to tell them about the great history of amateur boxing.  The boxing magazines don't cover it, boxing encyclopedias and anthologies ignore us, newspaper coverage is sporadic at best.  Face it, this is a sport whose history is passed orally from one generation to the next.  Old boxing posters which seem to paper the walls of gyms reinforce the tradition.  No posters?  Start collecting them now.

Guardian Angel--you watch over your fighters, even though they may not realized that you are doing so.  You feel every hit they take and you intervene when divine intercession is required, which for some boxers is a daily.  It becomes a 24-hour-a-day job.

Teacher--face it, the technical skills we teach them last a short time.  Most don't box past their late teen or early 20's.  The real important skills are the intangibles--discipline, courage, sportsmanship, goal setting, responsibility.  Yet, if you teach the sport long enough, some years later a vaguely familiar face, much older, slightly heavier but with character from life's lessons learned, will appear in the door of your gym.  Alongside will be a youngster, his son.  The man will say, "coach, you taught me some valuable lessons many years ago, although I didn't realize it at the time.  This is my boy, I am hoping that you can help me do the same for him."  At that point, you know it was all worth it.

An Understanding Spouse--This is probably the most overlooked prerequisite.  Ever forget an anniversary because your boxers had a competition somewhere that day.  Ever get the feeling you're better half feels left out of what you feel is important?  Never overlook the fact that while you are spreading yourself thin, they are holding it together.  You think this isn't so?  Just try doing what you do without their support and see how far you get.  So be sure to say "thanks, I know how much you do for me, even though I may not always show it" from time-to-time...chances are that is all they want.

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