stepped forward but brought his head off line - like a slip to the outside - to both load the liver shot and avoid his opponent's right hand. Then later, in another fight, it was a taller guy vs. shorter guy. The tall guy had to throw his jab downward and the short guy eventually timed it by throwing his overhand around the jab, hurting the tall guy, and changing the fight completely.
For those of you who have taken classes with me, these are two things - how to set up the liver shot and how to counter with an overhand (particularly against a taller opponent) - I talk about a lot. And I talk about tactics like these and other techniques because I study fighting. All the time. Watch tape, listen, read books, practice, train etc. I have had personal experience and been the beneficiary of good coaching myself but that has just built a foundation for me to learn more.
In fact, any coach of any sport should ALWAYS be learning. Even if someone got to a point where they knew literally everything about boxing - which they couldn't - boxing is always changing and it is imperative that we as coaches keep up with the times. There are always new perspectives on old things too. Not just from other people but even from yourself as you grow as a boxer and/or coach. And if you're not growing, you're shrinking. It's not even just boxing either. Anatomy, physiology, physics, psychology, philosophy, other sports and the study of anything that relates to us as humans can be valuable.
Along those lines, I believe we can truly learn from anybody. Doesn't mean everything we learn from everybody is good. Not even close. But I have met others who are convinced no one can teach them a thing. Or they would only open their minds to a certain viewpoint but dismiss all others. Coaches and ideas come in all forms. There are certain trainers I have spent more time studying and find inspirational but I have also learned valuable things from people with far less credentials, even in other disciplines. The goal to be in a constant state of ABL ("Always Be Learning") and the key to doing that is to Always Be Humble (ABH!). No one knows everything. No one will ever know everything. In fact, the more you learn, the more you generally realize how much there is to learn. In boxing and in most of life, I believe. Part of being humble means keeping the mind open to new possibilities.
So when people ask me where I get this stuff, whether it is particular combinations, drills, tactics, themes or whatever, the best answer is "everywhere I can." Certainly I believe in training realistically so seeing what works and what doesn't work in combat sports is a big part of it, but it is just as important to understand WHY it works. And to continue to develop the wisdom to apply how that relates to training people with varying experience levels. Anything can work if you get away with it but as I have said before, it is important that we master the fundamental principles and rules before we can even think about breaking them.
Last thing I will leave you with is something I touched on earlier that relates to YOU. This philosophy isn't just for coaches. You too, as an athlete, should Always Be Learning & Always Be Humble too. Every day, strive to get better. Doesn't have to be a big jump or anything. Baby steps are just fine. And it shouldn't be a chore either. It's fun to learn things, to get better! Especially at something you enjoy doing. Being humble too generally makes you more likable so it's win-win!!
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