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The Role of the Coach

An Ethnography on Boxing: The Role of the Coach
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Excerpts from An Ethnography on Boxing: The Role of the Coach by Sally Coates

“…although in the preparation of the boxer the coach’s role is often viewed akin to that of a physical trainer, this study unearthed much emotional work from both coach and boxer. From an early stage boxers have to learn how to control and hide their emotions, particularly so in not letting their opponents know when they are hurt physically. The experience a boxer gains in the ring is important as it expands his capacity for perception and concentration; it forces him to control his emotions in the sense of whether to repress or fuel them. The boxer may have to call forth feelings of anger but be able to control those feelings, in and outside of the ring, and not let them get out of hand. The coach’s role was to assist in the process.”

“…this experience was explained by a boxer; “The pay off is worth it in the end. No drugs can give you the same feeling. Even if you don’t make it to the top on the way is good too. It’s the excitement, the feeling afterwards. But you have to really want it, graft, have confidence and be single minded.” The triumph was described as a drug, a high, an adrenalin rush, a feeling of achievement and recognition. Oates (1987) in her book describes this as boxing’s “systematic cultivation of pain in the interests of a project, a life goal. The willed transposing of pain into its polar opposite” (p.26). The primary person who is responsible for helping them to achieve this goal is, of course, the coach, who naturally commands a high level of commitment from his boxers.