ROOKIES & CONTENDERS TRAINING CAMP – WEEK #2
DEC 1–7, 2025
Rookies and Contenders youth boxing classes meet on Mondays and Thursdays and follow the same weekly themes as Champs Training Camp. Each session blends age-appropriate boxing skills, movement, strength, and fun in a structured environment.
Youth Training Schedule
Rookies & Contenders Sessions
Monday – Youth Boxing
Footwork, Angles, and Basic Combos
Rookies
- Welcome and theme: “learning to step and punch with balance.”
- March in stance with hands up.
- Side steps while keeping guard.
- Slow-motion 1–2 punches.
- Simple stance freeze game.
Contenders
- Overview of footwork, angles, and basic combinations.
- Forward, backward, and lateral steps in stance.
- Hip and torso rotations.
- Light shadowboxing with 1–2.
Rookies
- Stance and guard review.
- Forward and backward steps in stance.
- Side steps left and right.
- Mini pivot practice using cones or markers.
- Step and jab drills with light contact or air punches.
Contenders
- Step-in jab and step-out jab.
- Pivots to the left and right.
- Small angle changes with guard up.
- Jab–cross while stepping at an angle.
Rookies
- 1–2 (jab–cross).
- 1–2–1.
- “Coach calls the number” punching game.
- Light bag taps using straight punches only.
- Short shadowboxing rounds using the day’s combos.
Contenders
- 1–2–3 (jab–cross–lead hook).
- 1–2–3–2.
- 2–3–2.
- 1–2–slip–2.
- Bag or shadowboxing rounds using these combinations.
Rookies
- Simple stance and balance drills.
- Short movement game (cone zig-zag or stance tag).
- Light “guard up and move” shadowboxing.
Contenders
- Bodyweight squats.
- Front plank or modified plank.
- Light med ball hold (no throws) for trunk stability.
- Lateral steps with guard up.
Rookies
- Easy arm and chest stretches.
- Gentle leg stretch (quads and hamstrings).
- Short breathing reset.
- Group share of “one thing I learned today.”
Contenders
- Hamstring stretch.
- Hip flexor stretch.
- Gentle shoulder and chest stretch.
- Short breathing reset to close the session.
Thursday – Youth Boxing
Body Shots, High–Low Flow, and Light Strength
Rookies
- Theme: “punching high and low safely.”
- Marching with gentle level changes.
- Side bends and torso rotations.
- Light shadowboxing with hands up.
Contenders
- Overview of body shots and high–low combinations.
- Level changes in stance with guard up.
- Torso rotations and side bends.
- Light shadowboxing including head and body targets.
Rookies
- Level change practice without punching.
- Tapping the bag at body height.
- Lead hand body tap with good stance.
- Rear hand body tap with controlled movement.
- Combining level change with a single body shot.
Contenders
- Level change with balanced stance.
- Lead hook to body pattern.
- Rear hook to body pattern.
- 1–2 (head) → 3 (body) combination.
- Shadowboxing or bag work focused on body shot technique.
Rookies
- Coach or partner showing HIGH or LOW target.
- Kids respond with the matching tap (high or body level).
- Simple patterns such as 1–2 (high) → 1 (low).
- Short, playful rounds focusing on high–low awareness.
Contenders
- 1–2 (head) → 3 (body).
- 1–2–3 (head) → 2 (body).
- Slip–2 (head) → 3 (body).
- 1–2–roll–3 (body)–2 (head).
- Light freestyle rounds using high–low patterns.
Rookies
- Bodyweight squats.
- Mini-band side steps (if available).
- Simple standing “hands up” holds for posture.
Contenders
- KB or DB deadlift (light load).
- DB marching knee drive in front rack position.
- Dead bug on floor.
- Band rotations standing in boxing stance.
Rookies
- Easy hamstring and quad stretches.
- Gentle upper-body stretch for shoulders and sides.
- Short breathing practice.
- Group share of a highlight or “favorite moment” from class.
Contenders
- Hamstring and hip flexor stretches.
- Open book T-spine rotations.
- Gentle neck stretches.
- Brief breathing reset to close the week.