How to Become a Certified Boxing Coach

Organized boxing is much different than two idiots swinging at each other in a ring. It is about physical fitness, competition, stamina, concentration, agility and -- most importantly -- sportsmanship. In some areas, organized boxing provides a healthy way for at-risk youth to channel their frustrations and develop into stronger people emotionally and physically. Boxing gyms need skilled coaches who are able to train boxers and guide them through fights. Certified coaches have the best job opportunities, as they're better able to demonstrate they've met a level of proficiency in their field.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn everything you can about organized boxing. Read boxing magazines such as The Ring (called the Bible of boxing) and other publications, watch fights on television and visit the USA Boxing website (usaboxing.com).

    • 2

      Get in shape. You should be physically ready to demonstrate any boxing move to your clients. Any exercise is beneficial (including weight training), but in particular, do exercises such as jumping rope to improve cardiovascular fitness, push-ups and pull-ups for upper-body strength, crunches for a strong core, and squats and lunges for a strong, solid fighter's stance. Get in a minimum of 20 minutes three times a week. Create regimens that work as many parts of the body as possible, remembering that a fighter needs both strength and aerobic stamina.

    • 3

      Take boxing classes from a local gym to learn boxing hands-on and stay in shape. This will familiarize you with everything your clients will experience in a more-personal way than other resources.

    • 4

      Register for membership with USA Boxing. You may register as an athlete or non-athlete. As of 2010, athletes need a completed application, two passport-sized photos, birth certificate or passport and a $50 money order. Non-athletes need a completed application, a background check consent form and a $75 money order.

    • 5

      Review the latest version of USA Boxing's Basic Rules and Hints for Beginning Officials (available on its website).

    • 6

      Attend a USA Boxing certification clinic. The times and locations for upcoming clinics are listed in the Events section of the USA Boxing website.

    • 7

      Take and pass the USA Boxing Level I Certification Exam with a minimum score of 70 percent.

    • 8

      Continue to certification levels II and III by working in association, regional and national boxing tournaments. Provide USA Boxing with the registration numbers and dates from previous registrations you had within the past 24 months (level II) or 36 months (level III). Take and pass the level II and/or level III certification exams -- level II requires a score of 80 percent, while level III requires 90 percent.