This is a hard topic to write but I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels it. I've boxing for about 3 years and amongst my peers (i.e. people that started the same time as I did) I'm probably the best. I don't mean that in arrogant way its just that I've top quality coaching and i've really listened to it. I've more than held my own against much more experienced (and bigger)fighters but yet I can't well...stop sh*tting myself before a fight or spar. I'm fine when I'm in there but I'll try and get every excuse not to spar or to fight. I've really nervous for the first round but after that I'm a come forward aggressive fighter. If I didn't have a trainer to push me I don't think I'd ever spar. How can I toughen up and stop being such a wuss!?
I think its only natural instinct for the body and mind to avoid a situation where it will be damaged. I guess one way would be to think as the opponent as an enemy, this gives you motivation and gives you reason to step in the ring, you want to prove yourself better.
You're tough enough for doing what you're doing. It's an unpleasant feeling but very very very few people don't get it. It's what you do that matters not what you feel!
I suppose i understand where your coming from but i dont think i get it to that degree. I just try and keep in mind the awesome feeling i get after sparring, your doing something that most people wouldnt have the balls to do at all. Iv found myself sometimes thinking if he asks me to spar tonight ill have to make up some excuse why i cant because im not ready or if got a slight injury. Iv realised im just making excuses for myself and it really is the best feeling in the world. But iv liked spared probably 4 or 5 times so i imagine most of it is getting used to it. Im actually at the moment itching to get in the ring after not going boxing at all for a couple weeks for different personal reasons. I feel like at the moment i wanna go there and just spar straight away. STRANGE!:hey
Fear is not a strange emotion when you know 100% sure someone is about to punch you in the face, and that someone trains daily at punching. Not being a little scared probably just means your stupid, a brave man goes in despite his fear.
Adrenal release is a natural reaction to any form of confrontation- it makes you faster, stronger and temporarily immune to pain- it also makes your legs shake, makes you feel sick and gives you tunnel vision. Its as natural as shivering when your cold.
It's good to have a pro on here! What would you do if you don't agree with some of your club's training methods?
This is an aspect that I have always struggled with, along with 99.9% of people. An old mate of mine was the opposite and I used to envy him cos whether he was fighting pro or at Appleby Fair with the gypsies he was completely unfazed by an impending tear-up. I think he boxed from when he was 10 years old or something and fighting was as natural to him as eating or sleeping. There seemed to be no physiological reactions whatsoever; however, when he started training his mates and was in their corner he was much more nervous on their behalf. Strange stuff.
I did the doors for 6 years and had well over a 'hundred' fights. I was glassed a couple of times (from behind), hit with bottles and stabbed in the head twice (same incident). But I always luckily enough came out on top- the reason was probably because I could control my fear and hide it better then most- because I was so frequently 'scared'. Been scared and not controlling your fear makes you panic and become erratic- you lose discipline and before you know it- BANG! fights over. I'd suggest that your friend controlled his fear by embracing it. He knew what was happening in his body and he knew it was all part and parcel of confrontation. He accepted it and this acceptance meant he didn't panic. Next time your in the ring and scared take a deep breath and embrace it. 'Fear' is the funnest part of boxing. Just like a rollar coaster. :good
Thanks Mr Small, If I don't agree with their training methods I try and educate or air my opinion but if they don't agree with me, thats up to them- I know boxing inside out- i'm always learning but i've watched and studied boxing for 16 years. I know what i'm talking about when it comes to boxing and I also now have a greater physiological understanding. Combining both will make me a great trainer I hope. If someone doesn't want to listen to what i've got to say then I just don't waste my time with them- I've got plenty of others who are happy to listen to me and I can see them improving every day. Boxing improvement is very difficult to quantify and so too are good trainers. Just beacause a trainer has good fighters, doesn't make him a good trainer. A trainer must tick sooo many boxers. I have a template in my head for how someone should box and thus far those who have adhered to my suggestions have greatly improved. There are so many things to consider.... speed, power, balance, endurance, technical skills, strategy, core strength, technique, defence, movement, each individual punch and combination... the list is endless. I try and quantify as much as possible. The rest I just try and improve as much as the fighter allows me. Its hard work and they have to listen.
I can completely relate, I don't try to avoid sparring because I don't want my coach to think I'm a ***** lol. But I don't get excited when we're about to, like some people I see at the gym "Yes!! We're ****ing sparring!!!" then they throw on the gear as fast as they can
