Opinions on what USAB needs to get better.

[boxmel]

But I still think the personal coaches should be more involved and included in the other International bouts and training.

Many personal coaches are picked for international bouts. Most of the time I believe it's coaches who are either retired or who can take time off from work. If you are interested, you should let Dan Campbell know.

but I would have liked to learn more about the differences of the various international styles, logistics of traveling to another country with a team, more of the nitty gritty of the judging in other countries, etc. Teach me about management of the team, politics, and show me some tapes of international bouts, and critique them with me.

Now you're talking a combination of coaching and team manager. Many coaches have been team managers, too. And I agree with you.

Those cute little "shoeshines" that they think are so great would be seen as the waste of time and energy that they are, and we would see athletes using their energy to deliver more clear shots. Coaches might be able to teach a cleaner style that allows more blows to be seen and be counted.

Oh, how right you are!!!! The simplest advice I can give you is to stay off the ropes and out of the corners and move in the middle of the ring! When a boxer is on the ropes and in a corner they lose at least 2, if not 3, judges who can't see their blows land. In tournament computer scoring, as well as with the clickers, at least 3 out of the 5 judges must see the blow land and push the button within the one-second window. A boxer may be throwing the best body blows in the world but if only one judge sees him, he won't score any points. "Shoeshining" has never counted for much, even when we were not using the clickers or the computer. And that tactic certainly won't work these days!

[Dennis]

Yes, we are sending a team to the Cadet Worlds. No, I don't know who's going. There will be a training camp the end of August in Texas.

Great! I was worried that they wouldn't send a team.

[Dennis]

Of the myriad of things that need to be imroved at USA Boxing, I find it hard to understand why USA Boxing isn't insuring that all of the grassroots hometown coaches are well-versed in the differences that their athletes will encounter when they meet international boxers. The coaches that train boxers day in and day out need to know what to teach in addition to their standard training. You can't train an athlete to excell here in the States, then expect them to change things in a short "camp" prior to their international competition and be successful. The same coaches that brought that athlete to their peak at home need to be the ones in the corner at EVERY bout possible. USA Boxing should be making a massive effort to insure that personal coaches are included in everything that affects that athlete. We need more international clinics for the personal coaches, help them learn the different styles and particulars that are across all the ponds, help them bring that heightened level of training to their athletes, not just scoop up the cream of the crop, take them to "camp", and leave those coaches in the dust. The clinics and certifications need to be tuned toward the success of the coaches, especially the seasoned coaches that are the bread and butter of our sport. Any coach that grooms an athlete to be so successful as to make the Olympic team, especially, should be given all the assistance and preference possible to be in his athlete's corner for every bout, especially in the Olympic arena!!!! I have heard rumblings that only the Olympic Coaches will be allowed to corner at the Olympics, and I think that is terribly wrong for the the athlete, the coach, and the country. We have almost an entire year here now to help those personal coaches to be ready to coach on the international level if their athlete makes the Olympic Team. What an opportunity we have!!! The United States is just not going to be able to step into the limelight until we change this goofy system we have of handling our athletes. Another issue closely tied to this, I think all coaches should be taught to judge. And I mean JUDGE. Not just "awwww, we won that". That would help them see where the system has taken us, and they will be better be able to train their athletes. USA Boxing has a lot of work to do. I hope they will reach out to our entire family and put boxing where it should be in this country!!

I agree with a lot of what you say. I became an official so that I could better understand what goes through the referees and judges minds (and thumbs on the clickers/computers). I wish more coaches would do the same.

[Dennis]

I see how the logistics would be difficult for the Olympics. Obviously I, as well as the majority of the coaches in this country, have never been there. But I still think the personal coaches should be more involved and included in the other International bouts and training. Our certification clinics don't seem to speak to the things that we need. The Level 4 that I attended primarily involved "learning" someone's boxing training techniques. And these were basic techniques.- That was all well and good, but I would have liked to learn more about the differences of the various international styles, logistics of traveling to another country with a team, more of the nitty gritty of the judging in other countries, etc. Teach me about management of the team, politics, and show me some tapes of international bouts, and critique them with me. Help us learn things we can take home and implement in our gyms.
If the coaches and boxers were indeed taught how to judge, I do think that some their training techniques would change. Those cute little "shoeshines" that they think are so great would be seen as the waste of time and energy that they are, and we would see athletes using their energy to deliver more clear shots. Coaches might be able to teach a cleaner style that allows more blows to be seen and be counted.

Where do I sign up for the clinic you describe?

[boxmel]

Dennis - you're an official? Scary!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis]

Yes it is scary. LOL.

[kidscoach]

That clinic I would like to attend needs to be designed and formulated by USA Boxing, who has access to all the components we need. Those wonderful teaching tools seem to be hidden away somewhere unavailable to the coaches that need them. Which is most of us. I will be sure to invite you, Dennis.

[boxmel]

Hmmm - I wonder if designing and putting on "elite" clinics is part of Dan Campbell's job description......Maybe he could do this when he isn't traveling.

[Dennis]

That clinic I would like to attend needs to be designed and formulated by USA Boxing, who has access to all the components we need. Those wonderful teaching tools seem to be hidden away somewhere unavailable to the coaches that need them. Which is most of us. I will be sure to invite you, Dennis.

I'm waiting. Heck, I'm waiting for just their regular old Train the Trainers Clinic. I want to move up a level so I can give more clinics (level 2 not just level 1) to help improve the sport in my area.

[kidscoach]

Level 2 Coach or Level 2 Official?

[Dennis]

Hmmm - I wonder if designing and putting on "elite" clinics is part of Dan Campbell's job description......Maybe he could do this when he isn't traveling.

I don't care who they assign to do it, but we need it. They could develop videos to use. I don't care if it is professionally edited, just use a camcorder and do it. Tape bouts and demonstrate what is being done correctly and incorrectly. Same thing for training techniques. They could have Julie or someone else interview Dan and pick his brain, then interview some other top coaches. Then some officials to get their input. Then some athletes. It could be a great coach's manual with videos and they could even sell it. I have purchased their other manual and tapes and I would buy the advanced version too.

[kidscoach]

You are exactly right. That is the kind of teaching tool, manual we need. I'm not sure that Dan is the right person to do this, but he could certainly supervise. I don't know much about his credentials, but we need someone with teaching experience to lay things out in an orderly and effective manner, and to mold the content into learnable format. Not too basic, but targeted toward the elite athlete and coach. Not too "over the top technical" either. The videos need to be discussed and critiqued as they are viewed. The marketing will be very important too. Many seasoned coaches are convinced that their way is the only way, and if they could be convinced that no one is trying to downplay what they have been doing, but just adding new things for their athletes, they might take a look. Change is hard for anyone.

[Dennis]

I was thinking that Julie could do the writing. She could interview Dan and the others. Maybe she isn't the right person to do it, but I know she can handle the writing end. Maybe Dan could do it, but I think his plate is pretty full. Julie's is too, but we need someone to do it. My thought was to have Dan handle the coaching part along with "contributors" from around the country. Coaches who have gone on international trips in the last couple years along with some who remember the "good ole days". Then we need a couple of seasoned judges and refs to assist from their point of view. Some team managers' input would also be helpful. Team physicians too. Sounds like it could start out as a manual and evolve into a book. Any authors sitting around in Colorado Springs? I know Julie has the writing skills to handle it. I think I will e-mail her with a link to this thread.

Does anyone else have any thoughts about this manual/book?

[boxmel]

You can start with Julie, but I don't know if that's in her baliwick. I would also send the suggestion to Millman and Virgets. I can't remember who did the original coaches manual - I think it was farmed out (my brain has lost cells since that time).

[kidscoach]

I think we need someone with extensive technical experience in boxing to be the main ramrod of this. Julie does a nice job updating the USA Website (thankyou Julie), but I'm afraid it would be terribly time-consuming for her to write what is in some elses' mind-a lot of explaining and re-explaining, and redrafting. There is surely someone in our world that is both well-versed in boxing and has good writing skills, organization can be superimposed. I don't think one could just go hire someone off the street in the writing field to tackle this. I hope this becomes a project for USA Boxing.

[boxmel]

Maybe when USAB gets some money......

[squarering]

I vote for Dennis... He has the legal background that would be usefull, and his job is to win with words. Anyone second that?

[Dennis]

Maybe when USAB gets some money......

Mel - we may both be long gone before that happens.

[boxmel]

Dennis, unfortunately you just might be absolutely correct. I sincerely hope to see things change before I retire from USAB - however........not holding my breath.

[squarering]

I spoke yesterday with Jim Millman and I must say that I am very hopeful that he will do some very good things for USA Boxing, Although we all know that even good thing can get squashed due to politics. He seems has a good plan and is even on top of some ideas I have though about for some time. I see USAB is looking for a marketing person, I think that is a step in the right direction.

[boxmel]

He seems has a good plan and is even on top of some ideas

Wonder when he's going to share with the rest of us.............I'm probably NOT going to the annual meeting this year and would hope that Millman has a better grasp on how to effectively communicate with the membership than has been done up to now.

Mike Stone had an excellent plan, which never got implemented, thanks to his being micro managed by the BOD. I'll keep my fingers crossed for Millman's success. We'll see. 8)

[Dennis]

Dennis, unfortunately you just might be absolutely correct. I sincerely hope to see things change before I retire from USAB - however........not holding my breath.

Why would you want to ever retire? This sport is so great and stress free that you should banish that thought from your brain.

[Dennis]

I vote for Dennis... He has the legal background that would be usefull, and his job is to win with words. Anyone second that?

Thanks Hal, but I vote for you. I see how well you write and you stated that you worked at Harvard. Those credentials should open a few doors. To top off that list you have a wife who will provide you with moral support and let you win any and all arguments. LOL.

I am willing to collaborate.

[Dennis]

You can start with Julie, but I don't know if that's in her baliwick. I would also send the suggestion to Millman and Virgets. I can't remember who did the original coaches manual - I think it was farmed out (my brain has lost cells since that time).

I will forward the e-mail to Millman also.

[boxmel]

Why would you want to ever retire? This sport is so great and stress free that you should banish that thought from your brain.

Eventually, the wheel chair probably won't fit in the judge's spot. Yes, the sport IS great. And you really didn't say "stress free," did you? Ewwwwwww.................