In virtually every high school and college or university in the United States a boy intending to compete in basketball or football must have a certificate of physical fitness. The same precaution must be taken for a boy who wishes to box.



Makeshift facilities are to be carefully avoided. A well-padded ring enclosed properly by ropes is an absolute essential. Never permit boys to box where there is a chance of falling to a hard floor or against objects which might injure them. Follow closely the specifications set forth in the NCAA rule book, which you should obtain and read in detail.

Worn-out or broken-down boxing gloves should never be used, both for the protection of the hands and avoidance of unnecessary bruising.

Every coach should insist that his boys wear headgears, mouthpieces, and protective cups at each boxing workout. Permit no exceptions. If a mouthpiece slips out, or a headgear becomes improperly adjusted, time should be called to replace the mouthpiece or to properly adjust the headgear. To overlook these details is to be remiss in your duty as a coach or supervisor.

No boy should ever be allowed to box even a single round without properly bandaged hands. A bruised thumb could readily handicap him for an entire season, and permanent injury might also result.

We firmly adhere to a rule providing that no candidate for our team may actually box except in the presence of and under the supervision of one of the coaches. Only by this method can the coach make sure that boys of equal ability, experience, and physical proportions are matched against one another. It is a grave mistake to permit boys to pair off indiscriminately as boxing partners.

All rule books, whether for amateur boxing or professional fighting, provide that a doctor be in attendance at ringside. We don't want to convey the impression that this is necessary because of any dangers inherent in boxing. It is a precautionary measure that is also taken in all properly supervised contact sports contests.

Virtually every high school or college conducting a competitive sports program has an M.D. who is designated as the "team physician." Call on this man to examine carefully each boxing team candidate before he actively engages in the sport; have him observe the boy at any time you have reason to suspect any injury or illness; and require that each boy undergo examination the day of a match. This is an added precaution which eliminates the possibility of a boy who is sub-par because of illness exposing himself unnecessarily to possible injury.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association Boxing Guide has been carefully and thoroughly prepared. If you will conscientiously digest and follow all rules and provisions contained therein, you will be fulfilling your duty as a coach.