Performance Analysis Keeping A Ring Side View

by Rebecca Lee 07.01.09

Having had a successful Olympic campaign and an impressive run at the European Championships, British Boxing is ensuring it stays ahead of the game, building it’s application of Performance Analysis through the English Institute of Sport (EIS).

EIS Performance Analyst Robert Gibson has been working with the British Boxing programme for over 18 months at the EIS Sheffield, where the squad is based full time. Having worked with athletes in the run up to and during the Games, Gibson is now focusing on preparing new tools for the next Olympic cycle. 

With a selection of boxers promoted from the GB Boxing Development squad up to the Podium squad ahead of the European Championships, held last month in Liverpool,  EIS support staff involved with the programme worked closely with athletes and coaches to ensure effective preparation.

“The boxing sport science team worked closely alongside these boxers in the run up to the championships at a joint training camp, which saw Ireland, France, Sweden and Norway also invited, at the EIS Sheffield” explains Gibson.

“Training alongside boxers from other nations allowed younger GB boxers to experience other boxing styles. I filmed sparring sessions and met with coaches and EIS Performance Psychologist Pete Lindsay to debrief and identify key learning points which then fed into the training” he added.

British Boxing coaches have utilised the input of performance analysis for tactical purposes as well as ensuring athletes learn from the information fed back to improve their performance. When asked which sport science and medical service has had the biggest impact on performance Terry Edwards, British Boxing Head Coach, told the EIS “I think Performance Analysis”.

“Terry Edwards (Head Coach) will access Performance Analysis information for tactic meetings which often involve myself and other support staff like Pete (Lindsay, EIS Performance Psychologist)” explains Gibson.

“A big part of my job is to familiarise the boxers with the level of information which is being provided. Pete (Lindsay) and I will be identifying individual boxer learning styles so we can tailor the level of information and actions which would best fit the tactic meetings prior to a bout” he adds.

With the bar set in Beijing, British Boxing have already set standards high with the first gold, through rising star Luke Campbell, at the European Championships in the 54kg weight class, for 47 years.

“The British Boxing sports science team is confident with key processes that we have developed to support coaches and athletes at tournaments. We have moved forward a great deal over the last months and look forward to the milestones ahead” Gibson says.