What should a boxer think about when fighting/sparring?

[HerbM]

What should a boxer think about when fighting/sparring?

I can't recall ever hearing this discussed in any book, by any coach, nor by any boxing commentator or pundit.

Obviously, it's important to think in ways that help you hit and help you avoid getting hit, but what specific types of thoughts or mental calculations work best?

Simple things like "move, breath, jab more" might be all we need. Complex calculations -- when there is time -- like analyzing the opponent's style and mistakes and deciding on specific combinations could also be useful if this doesn't get in the way of dealing with the situation "right now".

There are probably an large number of other possibilities in between these extremes and likely some entirely different ideas as well so don't limit it to my examples above.

Recognizing that we are getting hit doing something we normal find successful and switching our behavior or even style (somewhat) might be useful. Conversely, noticing the effect we are having on our opponent can allow us to evaluate our successful (or unsuccessful) actions and do more or less of the most effective actions.

There are also different times during a fight, e.g., active exchanges, clinching, on the break or when fighters separate for reasons of their own, as well as between rounds but I am primarily asking about any time during the round here.

Since complex thought is difficult during an active exchange the answer is likely several answers for different levels of boxing intensity -- this also brings up the issue of transitioning: If complex thought is appropriate (to be discussed and argued I bet) then how do we decide/trigger that so we only do it at the "right time" (i.e., when it is effective and safe.)

What do you think is best?

What do you actually do?

What sort of benefits and problems does each type typically provide?

I know there are some other of you who are 'cerebral boxers' -- my bias and my skills lead me in this direction both when training AND during the fight. Some people obviously think better under pressure or during activity than others so this will also vary by fighter, but for myself I am even more cold and calculating when in danger as long as there is sufficient time for thought, but able to just go when there is not time.

I believe that everyone will agree that no matter what our thoughts are, that FOCUS is essential, we must only think about and attend to things that will aid our performance either immediately or (perhaps) fairly shortly ahead.

We do here "keep your eyes up" and "watch your opponent", but seldom do we hear what to watch or even less often what to THINK about what we see (and feel.)

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HerbM

I am proud of myself a little bit: Yesterday, at 57 years old I went 10 straight minutes of LIGHT sparring (no breaks between rounds) and although I was working and tiring some, I was NOT in any way gassed out or losing my ability to fight intelligently or to BOX, even against the more advanced and more experienced boxers (we were about 5 or 6 pairs switching partners at 30-90 seconds.

It was a blast.

[Andre]

Queen and country.

[Andre]

To over think anything will slow you up so you cant let your hands go.

To train and spar with the correct forethought(thats the time to think) before you do; should get you into the zone,so that your answers come naturally in the ring.
Less thought the better for me otherwise it stops you getting in the zone.

To have a certain frame of mind is a different kettle of fish, to be enjoying yourself in there gives your mind the space it requires to be able to react to your best abilities.

If you are getting a hiding or losing focus try smiling to yourself inside and enjoy the moment you put yourself there; you may as well.

You find with humor and a inner smile to yourself etc, the brain relaxes slightly the time opens up for you because space has been made for your reactions to come through easier: While you do it, make space physically and angles.Follow their arms back in etc disrupt their timing.

Just my 2 cents .


Not that you shouldnt think at all, but you need to be at 110% and that requires a relaxed state of mind. If youre doing it under the hammer, you need to think I need space and make it by moving and making them readjust to you so that it gives you the space to react better.

[boozeboxer]

Lilacs and perennials. buttered mushrooms.

[HerbM]

To over think anything will slow you up...

To train and spar with the correct forethought(thats the time to think) before you do; should get you into the zone,so that your answers come naturally in the ring.
Less thought the better for me otherwise it stops you getting in the zone.

To have a certain frame of mind is a different kettle of fish, to be enjoying yourself in there gives your mind the space it requires to be able to react to your best abilities.

If you are getting a hiding or losing focus try smiling to yourself inside and enjoy the moment you put yourself there; you may as well.

You find with humor and a inner smile to yourself etc, the brain relaxes...


Not that you shouldnt think at all, but ...

If you're doing it under the hammer, you need to think I need space ...

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

And I completely agree with the idea and methods of having fun and relaxing -- smile, enjoy the ride, have fun, get into the zone....

As to THINKING, I read you as a minimalist, especially under the hammer -- think only enough to recognize you are in a bad place and give yourself a one or two word command to change that situation.

Again, I tend to agree when under the hammer (no time to think much there, except to MOVE, CHANGE the situation, GET SAFE, and HIT BACK -- BECOME the hammer or move to a new place.

Would you have a different opinion if you could think clearly and logically while maintaining focus and state and while having fun?

My favorite example of people who do this are top surgeons -- they can carry on complex thought and remain relaxed having fun for hours while staying in the zone of excellence.

Of course when faced with a sudden emergency situation they can go to mere reactions to stop the bleeding or restart the heart etc.

Also, combat fighter pilots do this as well, as well as demonstration team pilots like the Blue Angels I believe.

Do you believe complex thought is a poor idea in general, or only if it prevents maintaining the most effective state?

--
HerbM

[WayneFlint]

I agree 100% with andre, there was a thread like this not long ago and i said pretty much same thing ill say now, the work is done drilling your movements, just have fun sparring and i usually do well then, if i start worrying about how im doing or what im doing things go wrong, i think overall too much forethought while in the ring is what stops you from addapting as well, simply put just have fun and dont worry about getting hit too much and things usually go well for me, i think its that simple.

[HerbM]

I agree 100% with andre, there was a thread like this not long ago and i said pretty much same thing ill say now, the work is done drilling your movements, just have fun sparring and i usually do well then, if i start worrying about how im doing or what im doing things go wrong, i think overall too much forethought while in the ring is what stops you from addapting as well, simply put just have fun and dont worry about getting hit too much and things usually go well for me, i think its that simple.

Agreed that 'worrying' is counter-productive and that 'having fun' is both useful (in terms of success) and just MORE FUN.

How do you adapt if you don't think? Serious question, how does that work?

Do you (ideally) have any thoughts? How about the simple ideas like "move, relax" etc?

Personally, I CAN think and have fun at the same time, but this isn't in any sense worrying about 'getting hit' while still having fun -- but I am thinking about this more in the sense of 'got hit because....' and 'do this instead...' or 'good, got three hits in for that one' or 'he's giving me (something) when he does that'.

Not arguing (at least not yet) that this is good, but rather wanted to hear from people who have thought about this outside the ring and figured how what works for them or their fighters.

Heck, I LIKE getting HIT up to a point, as long as I am not getting injured and I am doing some hitting.

Part of what I currently talk to myself about is to remind myself to avoid getting hit even though it does NOT bother me. Especially in easy sparring, so I won't ignore a valid punch simply because we are going easy.

[Scrap]

One Sport you have to zone in is, Rockclimbing on serious stuff. But you dont go on a serious Climb without experiance, or you get hurt even Killed same as Boxing. Ive seen Boxers in the Dressing Room zoned in, by the time they have reached the Ring there Bottles completely gone. Thats when reality clicks in or occasion Hits Home. Doubts set in about preperation affecting confidence, everybody is different.