Boxing is as much about mental focus as it is about physical toughness or technical skill. One of the central challenges for boxers and coaches is ensuring that every training session has clear intent, direction, and purpose.
In episode #115, we share a simple yet powerful idea that can sharpen focus, keep boxers motivated, and help both coach and athlete work together toward their goals: the WINning question, “What’s Important Now?”
What is WIN?
WIN stands for What’s Important Now.
It’s a short, sharp question that helps boxers clarify their focus before, during, and after training. It’s particularly useful in boxing, where concentration, self-awareness, and adaptability can make the difference between plateauing and progressing.
Why Use WIN in Boxing Coaching?
As boxers and coaches, we have limited time in the gym to work together. All too often, we can find ourselves going through the motions, with boxers walking through the door without a clear idea of what they want to get from the session.
If boxers rely entirely on you to set the focus, they can end up being passive participants rather than active learners. WIN shifts that responsibility. WIN forces them to think, make choices, and take ownership of their development.
Benefits include:
- Alignment – You and your boxer start on the same page.
- Individualisation – Each boxer works on what matters most to them, even within a group session.
- Mental engagement – They stay switched on, rather than coasting through drills or activities.
- Better feedback – You can shape coaching points around their personal goals for that day.
How to Use WIN in Your Gym
1. Start of the Session – Set the Intent
As boxers arrive, ask them directly:
“What’s important now?” or “What’s your win today?”
Do this before the warm-up so they commit mentally before they’ve even laced up.
Coach’s aim:
- Check if their answer matches recent discussions or agreed goals.
- Spot mismatches early and guide their focus before training starts.
2. During the Session – Re-Anchor Focus
Drop the question again mid-session, especially if you see a boxer losing concentration or falling back into old habits.
Sometimes just asking the question will bring their mind back to the task they set for themselves.
Coach’s aim:
- Keep them accountable to their stated focus.
- Avoid over-correcting if they’re exploring new ideas. Support the process, not just the outcome.
3. End of the Session – “Smuggle” the Learning
Before they leave, ask them to name one key thing they’ll “smuggle out” of the session and bring back next time.
Framing it as something to protect and carry over makes it personal and memorable.
Coach’s aim:
- Reinforce the most valuable takeaway.
- Link today’s work to the next session for stronger learning continuity.
4. Start of the Next Session – Recall
Open the next training by asking them what they “smuggled in” from last time.
This not only promotes memory recall but also creates a connection between sessions.
Coach’s aim:
- Build learning links over time (like Olympic rings interlocking).
- Encourage long-term skill retention, not just one-off performance.
Tips for Making WIN Work
- Be consistent – Use WIN regularly so it becomes part of the gym culture.
- Be curious – Ask follow-up questions (“Why that?” “How will you work on it?”) to deepen their thinking.
- Stay flexible – WIN doesn’t replace your session plan; it adds an individual layer.
- Model it – Share your own “WIN” as a coach sometimes, to show that focus applies to everyone.
The Bottom Line
WIN provides a practical framework for keeping boxers engaged, intentional, and accountable. Using it transforms training from something that’s done to boxers into something they actively own.
By weaving this simple question into your sessions, you can help accelerate learning, keep motivation high, and ensure that every session moves your boxers closer to their goals.