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First of all, I would like to say that none of this originated with me. I have discussed and questioned all of my teachers, training partners and friends over the years, and this is how I have organized the 'ideal' cornering method in my head. I hope this can help people, and also I hope this will stimulate discussion which will benefit all of us, trainers, fighters and fans. I base this scenario upon the 3 minute fight/2 minute rest per round. I will also preface it by saying conditioning for a fighter should have him recovering his standing heart rate in 40-50 seconds. You will see why shortly. The 'ideal' corner team should have 6 people, and all must be trained in their role. Here we go:
Bell Rings For End Of Round. 2 Minutes
The fighter turns toward his corner, where he sees his 'inside' men. This can be a cut man and massage man, a water man. Usually 2 people who tend to his immediate needs. Whatever you use in your camp. None of the 'inside' men discusses the fight with the fighter. This usually takes about 15 seconds of the rest period. He sits and begins to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, the manager, who has been watching his fighter during the round to see any bad habits developing, either talks with or gets notes from his 3 'ringside' men. These 'ringsiders' have been placed on the other sides of the ring from the manager, and have been watching the opponent for any bad habits. Bad habits are things like dropping a hand before he throws it, shrugging a shoulder before he kicks on that side, punching and then dropping his hand, leaving his head open when he kicks/punches. Anything he consistently does which gives away a move, or shows an opening is a bad habit. The manager collates results, and if he is good can prioritize opponents' weakness versus his own fighters' strengths. This takes a lot of experience, but can be learned. Note the manager has not gotten into the ring. He has assistants to tend his fighters' recovery needs. His job is to get ready for the next round.
One Minute Left Of Break
By this time the fighter should have recovered his breath, gotten treatment and water, be ready to listen and, more importantly, to understand.
The manager leans through the ropes and taps his fighter on the thigh to get his attention. Most men do not like other men touching their thigh, and will notice, thus giving his attention to his manager. Women, incidentally, don't like this either. The manager proceeds to tell the fighter what he wants him to do, concentrating on attacking the vulnerabilities he and his 'ringsiders' have noticed about the opponent. If he has to, the manager can use his fingers like a 'mini-fighter', demonstrating with his hand the attacks he wants. At no time should he use large gestures to show the fighter what he wants, meaning do not get into the ring and jab, cross, knee, kick, etc. Do not show the opponent what he is going to have to defend. If possible, the manager can watch his opposite number to see what he is going to have to defend against, providing that manager is the type who DOES get into the ring to show his fighter what he wants.
Fifteen Seconds Left
As the 'sidemen' are called out of the ring, the manager tells his fighter what he does not want him to do. Hopefully this will allow your fighter to get back into the fight and not get capitalized upon in the first few seconds. Do not dwell on his negatives, you only have a few seconds anyway. You want your fighter to go out and use his positives against the opponent's negatives.
Note you spent 3 times as much time telling the fighter what you want him to do versus what you do not want him to do. Positive reinforcement works better than negative. You want your fighter to act, not react.
Bell Rings. End of Rest
Repeat until victory.
Critique as you will. We have a lot of experience to draw from on this site. This thread should have gotten started years ago.
Bell Rings For End Of Round. 2 Minutes
The fighter turns toward his corner, where he sees his 'inside' men. This can be a cut man and massage man, a water man. Usually 2 people who tend to his immediate needs. Whatever you use in your camp. None of the 'inside' men discusses the fight with the fighter. This usually takes about 15 seconds of the rest period. He sits and begins to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, the manager, who has been watching his fighter during the round to see any bad habits developing, either talks with or gets notes from his 3 'ringside' men. These 'ringsiders' have been placed on the other sides of the ring from the manager, and have been watching the opponent for any bad habits. Bad habits are things like dropping a hand before he throws it, shrugging a shoulder before he kicks on that side, punching and then dropping his hand, leaving his head open when he kicks/punches. Anything he consistently does which gives away a move, or shows an opening is a bad habit. The manager collates results, and if he is good can prioritize opponents' weakness versus his own fighters' strengths. This takes a lot of experience, but can be learned. Note the manager has not gotten into the ring. He has assistants to tend his fighters' recovery needs. His job is to get ready for the next round.
One Minute Left Of Break
By this time the fighter should have recovered his breath, gotten treatment and water, be ready to listen and, more importantly, to understand.
The manager leans through the ropes and taps his fighter on the thigh to get his attention. Most men do not like other men touching their thigh, and will notice, thus giving his attention to his manager. Women, incidentally, don't like this either. The manager proceeds to tell the fighter what he wants him to do, concentrating on attacking the vulnerabilities he and his 'ringsiders' have noticed about the opponent. If he has to, the manager can use his fingers like a 'mini-fighter', demonstrating with his hand the attacks he wants. At no time should he use large gestures to show the fighter what he wants, meaning do not get into the ring and jab, cross, knee, kick, etc. Do not show the opponent what he is going to have to defend. If possible, the manager can watch his opposite number to see what he is going to have to defend against, providing that manager is the type who DOES get into the ring to show his fighter what he wants.
Fifteen Seconds Left
As the 'sidemen' are called out of the ring, the manager tells his fighter what he does not want him to do. Hopefully this will allow your fighter to get back into the fight and not get capitalized upon in the first few seconds. Do not dwell on his negatives, you only have a few seconds anyway. You want your fighter to go out and use his positives against the opponent's negatives.
Note you spent 3 times as much time telling the fighter what you want him to do versus what you do not want him to do. Positive reinforcement works better than negative. You want your fighter to act, not react.
Bell Rings. End of Rest
Repeat until victory.
Critique as you will. We have a lot of experience to draw from on this site. This thread should have gotten started years ago.
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