5 Coaching Tips for Training an MMA Fighter

Training Your Fighter

In celebration of all the work that goes into preparing for the ring, we caught up with some of our friends who train pro fighters to learn what it takes to create a champion. The following list highlights some of the key things coaches should remember when training a fighter.

1). Enforce Consistency

Consistency is key because talent can take you only so far. After that, winning comes down to being consistent with training. That means putting in the work, no excuses. So part of training a pro fighter is pushing back against those excuses and enforcing consistency.

2). Keep Your Fighter Focused

The process of training takes as much work outside the gym as it does inside it. Fighters have to be focused, driven, and willing to make sacrifices. Novice fighters often underestimate the sacrifices they will have to make. To be sure, going out with friends or being at parties and family events take on a new meaning if you’re a focused fighter.

3). Balance Drills, Hard Sparring and Conditioning

In the past, trainers preferred live sparring. But now we know that the wear and tear a fighter takes in live sparring isn’t always necessary. Well-executed drills are the better choice for routine gym work. They keep your fighters healthy while giving them sharp technique from the high volume reps and drilling. Critical muscle memory is also built with drills. Besides, you’ve heard it before- “drillers make killers.”

But in between the drills, a little hard sparring has its place too. Hard sparring helps fighters develop specific skills and improve reaction time. It also gets them accustomed to the stress they will face in the ring. Of course, the goal of hard sparring isn’t to let your fighter knock anyone out, or get knocked out. When it’s overdone like that, hard sparring becomes detrimental to the longevity of a fighter’s career, as well as their recovery. So balance drills, hard sparring, and conditioning to ensure your fighters train smart.

4). Enforce Good Nutrition

We all know nutrition is just as important as physical training, but fighters continue to cut weight too fast and jump into the ring. What happens is they end up depleted and wiped out before the fight even starts. Training is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking the time to eat right and cut weight safely is non-negotiable.

5). Make Sure They Have Training Partners

You can’t be with your fighter around the clock, but with the work ahead of them they need all the support they can get. That’s why training partners are worth their weight in gold. Training partners support your fighter in ways you can’t. They also challenge your fighter to grow and always do their best. And training partners are particularly good at calling each other out if things start to slip. Yes, fighting is an individual sport, but making sure your fighter has a training partner is one of the best things you can do as a coach.

Quality coaching is key to student retention. Looking for additional ways to keep your students coming back? Get your copy of our free guide, Strategies for MMA Student Retention.