Thread: Hit the WALL!

Right, here goes. I've been boxing for 10 months, had 6 white collar bouts, won 4 lost 1 drew 1. I train 5-6 a week with a good trainer who has got to high standards amateur and had over 20 pro fights. Anyway I feel I have improved a lot over the 10 months but recently (last few weeks/month) I seem to have hit a wall. Everyone around me seems to be getting better and I seem to be making no improvements. I think I know what my faults are. My footwork is ropey, When on the backfoot I go backwards too much instead of stepping to the side. When I throw my backhand I seem to leave my backfoot dragging so my feet are spread really far apart. On the pads/bag I do everything well, or to the best of my ability, but in sparring/fighting it seems to go out the window. I drop my guard, dont faint, just keep throwing the jab no combos, get flustered when people are on top of me. I suppose I just need to know has anyone else been in the same situation where they feel they're not going anywhere? Also does anyone know any drills and methods to improve the faults I mentioned, or is it just a case of a lot more sparring? I also have video highlights of two of my fights, literally only 30/40 seconds but maybe one of you can analyze it and see what you think. If you would like to watch them pm me and I will link you. P.S I know some of you will say your trainer should be helping you with these faults etc. and honestly he really does and he's saying to me I just want everything too quick and it will come with time and experience, but I just want some more opinions. Thanks in advance

I have no competition experiance in boxing, but i was competetive Starcraft player when i was younger. This means i was playing on average 8 hours a day for about 3 years time period From my experiance i can tell you go back to basics. Think about your problems. Think about the solutions. Write all the problems and solutions down and reread them! Through our heads go so meny toughts that we are forgeting most of them even if we do them every day! Go into sparing with a plan what you want to try and make it! But keep the plan simple because there is not unlimited time. In between the rounds go back and check the list. Did you accomplish the plan? Discus your problems with your trainer and sparring partners. Explaining something to an other person gives you better understanding.
Not forgeting to do all of basic stuff simultaneous and building the understanding upon the solid basics is the key of succes in my opinion!

Thanks for the reply I will try writing my faults down and working on them. Its just soul destroying when you try so hard at something and still seem to be failing at it.

I understand you completely, but look it from this angle. You must do the thinking now and this makes you better and stronger where the oders will never do it I think Max Plank sayed this:"There are no such thing as genius, but people which have stronger interest". Stay consistant, don't let some smal problem stop you and develop yourself

Originally Posted by southpawwolves

Right, here goes. I've been boxing for 10 months, had 6 white collar bouts, won 4 lost 1 drew 1. I train 5-6 a week with a good trainer who has got to high standards amateur and had over 20 pro fights. Anyway I feel I have improved a lot over the 10 months but recently (last few weeks/month) I seem to have hit a wall. Everyone around me seems to be getting better and I seem to be making no improvements. I think I know what my faults are. My footwork is ropey, When on the backfoot I go backwards too much instead of stepping to the side. When I throw my backhand I seem to leave my backfoot dragging so my feet are spread really far apart. On the pads/bag I do everything well, or to the best of my ability, but in sparring/fighting it seems to go out the window. I drop my guard, dont faint, just keep throwing the jab no combos, get flustered when people are on top of me. I suppose I just need to know has anyone else been in the same situation where they feel they're not going anywhere? Also does anyone know any drills and methods to improve the faults I mentioned, or is it just a case of a lot more sparring? I also have video highlights of two of my fights, literally only 30/40 seconds but maybe one of you can analyze it and see what you think. If you would like to watch them pm me and I will link you. P.S I know some of you will say your trainer should be helping you with these faults etc. and honestly he really does and he's saying to me I just want everything too quick and it will come with time and experience, but I just want some more opinions. Thanks in advance

Persevere.
Just stick to it and gradually you will improve- largely without realising it.
You must be open to criticism and ready to adapt- but you can do it.

Thanks Trueno, it wont let me reply to your PM because of my lack of posts but I am enjoying the forum and have learnt alot already, hopefully be able to make a decent contribution.

Glad to hear it man.
We are all here to help each other. These guys have helped me an immeasurable amount.

I can see that pal, some of the time people put into this site is amazing. What is your position in boxing at the moment Trueno are you pro/amateur, fight record? How long have you been in the sport?

Originally Posted by southpawwolves

I can see that pal, some of the time people put into this site is amazing. What is your position in boxing at the moment Trueno are you pro/amateur, fight record? How long have you been in the sport?

Just a boxing enthusiast.

Well the good thing is that you have both identified the problems and the solutions. My advice would be to use partner drills. I share the habit that you have of going straight back when pressured. And sometimes I will lean back with my chin up. Or even worse combine the two!

I do a drill where my partner comes straight at me throwing light straight shots and I pivot or sidestep to avoid the attack and counter. I do about 2 rounds of this. I am still learning the mechanics of it, but I usually pivot or step to my right (im orthodox) and jab or L hook to the pit of the stomach and jab, or a counter right hand. Moving left is more difficult and I plan on working on that as well.

Another one I do when I get caught in a corner is shell up, come back with a 2-3-2 and pivot to the right.

Anybody do anything similar?

Its a good thing you dont faint while sparring..

Also listen to Nikola. Solid advice.