Boxing clever?

What are the characteristics of effective leaders? BMC Global services identify passion and resilience as two key factors. They have been developing business leaders for a number of years using a variety of methods, particularly sport. And not just any sport. Boxing and combat sport have emerged as favourite methods of unlocking that passion. Here they explain why they chose boxing and how this might help develop leaders of the future.

Why boxing?

Boxing is an ideal vehicle for providing a development programme for children from a very young age. Firstly, it develops all of the necessary motor skills that are a pre-requisite for success in later life for a long healthy life and success in sport. Boxing can teach children resilience -  a key attribute of leaders and develop a self belief that anything is possible. This is essential so that children learn to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and not a demonstration of a weakness.

Our coaching method for boxing is based on a unique, sports science based approach  called tvp (technique, variety and predictability) Concepts. This coaching method looks   beyond   the physical aspects of the sport. It creates a mentality of precision and clear focus, great attention to detail, a keenness to explore a variety of techniques and a culture of continuous learning. 

A combination of gym and classroom based work helps develop the desire to succeed and satisfy  personal goals while demonstrating respect and consideration for others.  Our approach provides practical experiences where children get the opportunity to develop decision making and thinking skills that will assist them in all walks of life. By taking the children outside their comfort zones, in a controlled manner, children   become more adept at preparing for the unknown and relish the challenge.

We encourage teachers to attend a three day workshop to understand the way the process works and how it should be integrated with the traditional classroom model, so that benefit to the children is enhanced. This ensures there is consistency for the children in the messages being given. 

What do they do?

To begin with the boxing is non contact. We concentrate on developing speed and agility and use quick foot ladders and hurdles in our training. To improve foot work we have specially designed footwork mats and use focus pads and punchbags during partner work.

Improving reaction is another important part of what we do. For this we use speedballs and floor ceiling balls. Our students engage in mind training through using punch and footwork patterns and creativity is developed using, believe it or not, punchbags.

A lot of the activities are based upon developing confidence and self awareness and we can do this through using partners and simulations. We do use a boxing ring and activities in here help with spatial awareness.

The future leaders programme

Boxing is only one of the ways in which leadership skills are developed. The Future Leaders Programme is designed to deliver the following to children from the age of five:

 

a.   Inner strength to cope with the challenges that lie ahead in later years

b.   Positive mental attitude towards success

c.    Self confidence and belief in achieving personal goals

d.   Ability to function as part of a winning team

 

It focuses on values and beliefs, emotional, social and mental intelligence as well as physical skills:

 

	Spiritual	Emotional	Social	Physical	Mental
5-9 years	Respect Listening Humility	Self belief	Self confidence	Fundamental  motor skills – stability, locomotion and manipulation	Memory Creative thinking Numerical
10-13 years	Positive mindset Focus Attitude to time	Trust Self awareness	Building relationships Empathy	Specialised motor skills Goal setting	Creative thinking
14-16 years	Self consciousness Integrity Long term thinking Attitude to risk	Self belief and emotional resilience Motivation	Personal image Team working Inspiring	Advanced motor skills Physical fitness Winning mentality	Questioning skills Rational thinking
16-18 years	Self realisation Emotional detachment Balance	Intuition Decisiveness Integrity	Team development Influence	Mind body link Positive energy	Systemic thinking Holistic thinking Critical thinking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is divided into separate stages:

 

STAGE	AGE GROUP	CONTENT
Introductory stage	5-9 years	Building self confidence and self belief. Having fun learning. Enjoying winning and enjoying losing. Having a go. Development of motor skills appropriate for the age group/
1	10-13 years	Introduction to setting goals, The winning mentality, Building relationships, Learning to Trust, Being positive, Stretching
2	14-16 years	Stretching goals, The personal image, Building consciousness, Being an effective team player, Developing self Belief, Creative thinking
3	17-18 years	Thinking the unthinkable, Respecting others, Building intuition, The Personal Trust Agenda, The Mind body link, Holistic Cause effect thinking
The Professional Future Leaders Certificate	18+	Strategic thinking, Change Management, Teambuilding, Leadership, Managing Relationships, Project Leadership, Managing Performance

 

The idea is that it is developing key skills which young people need to have to become successful business/ sports/ social leaders by the age of 25.