Finding the Right Coach
- April Adams
- Nov 3, 2021
- 4 min read
When it comes to combat sports and martial arts, it is common for people to settle for the first coach they come across. Everything is new and you don't know any different. It is ideal to trial other gyms and taste how different coaches approach striking. It can be daunting for the beginner but that is the best time to find out if you have found the right place.
Does the head coach greet you? How do the other students treat you in a class? Are they welcoming? How does the coach interact with their students? Do you understand the content being taught? If not, does someone take the time to explain it to you? Taking notice of the gym culture usually sets the tone of what to expect from a coach. Below are five points to consider when looking for a striking coach (or any coach for that matter).
KNOWLEDGE
I came across an interesting post on Instagram recently and I couldn't help but let out a little giggle. It said, "if you take away the boxing mitts, can you still call yourself a boxing coach?" It was making fun of fitness and personal trainers who say they provide boxing as part of their repertoire. The trend going around on social media shows a lot of fancy pad work, which, don't get me wrong, it's a skill in itself. It receives a lot of attention because it looks good and people like doing it because it's a lot of fun. I have nothing against fitness coaches offering pad work - it's an excellent way to get fit. Just be aware that the industry uses the term 'boxing' loosely and can sometimes make it more difficult to find a coach. Ask yourself
If they don't give a shi*t about you, don't waste YOUR time with them.
what are you looking for exactly? Application isn't necessarily fancy and if you want to grow your skill you need to find someone who can teach you how, why and when to execute a technique. This usually means a lot of drill work with a training partner and slowing your technique down. If a trainer is lost without their mitts, maybe look elsewhere.
COMMITMENT TO YOU
This is an important one that asks you to be a bit selfish. It does not matter if the coach you find has produced world champions. If they don't give a shi*t about you, don't waste YOUR time with them. It could just be that they're preoccupied with other things or they already have too many students or fighters to give you their full attention. On the flip side, don't expect them to give you everything on the first day. You also need to demonstrate your commitment to the sport. That is showing up to training on time, taking in feedback and having a good work ethic. Your growth and progression should matter to your coach. But you should find someone who'll invest their time into you because that is how you'll grow. This leads me to my next point.
CHEMISTRY
You need to be able to gel well with your coach. How you communicate and interact with each other will determine how receptive you are to learning a new skill. Striking training can be gruelling and if you don't have a bond with your coach, you're in for one bumpy ride. The coach-student relationship matters more so if you choose to step into the ring. There needs
to be a trust formed so you are confident when they tell you to do something when you feel down and out, you can still carry on the instruction. Remember, a coach needs to be able to bring out the best in you and people will respond differently to a given trainer's methods. Some need tough love and disciple, while others require a more gentle approach. Like all relationships, they take time but if you aren't feeling it, best to move on.
EXPERIENCE
When I talk about experience, I don't necessarily mean fight experience. Some of the best coaches weren't outstanding fighters and some never fought at all. Although some ring time can help a coach understand what his/her student is going through, especially during fight prep, it isn't essential. Having a coach who has trained people from all walks of life and who has students who have stuck with them over the years is a more true testament to their abilities. To be able to adapt and adjust depending on who they are training, whether they are fighters, youth or the general public is a real skill and more often than not, shows they have done their time in the gym.
PASSION
There is nothing worse than being taught by someone who doesn't want to be there. You can sense it and it brings the whole vibe down. Find a coach who has passion and a love for their chosen sport and wants to share that passion and love with you. It's infectious. Being excited for something daunting and scary because your coach is excited to teach you is a gift.
Taking on a new skill and choosing to grow in it is a personal journey and requires the right guidance suited for you. My final advice is, to be honest with yourself first and foremost. Ask yourself, what are you trying to achieve and where do you want this journey to take you? You might find a coach who is great for a certain period of your life but things change and they may no longer be able to give you what you need. Change can be unsettling but so is staying where your growth is stagnant.
Stay tuned for more STRIKE! TIPS.
If you're looking to start training, contact STRIKE! for more information.
You can also find April at Corporate Box Valley.
Comments