What is skill?

[Steak]

people mention it constantly on here, but everyone seems to have a different definition. a lot of people seem to the the faster fighter is the more skilled one, the one that jabs more as automatically the more skilled one, the one that fights on the backfoot is the more skilled one, etc...

well, heres mine, its pretty simple and broad.
"Any non-physical attribute that a boxer uses to win fights"


in other words, perfect conditioning doesnt fall under the skill catagory, a great chin doesnt fall under the skill catagory, natural fast handspeed doesnt fall under the skill catagory. things like that.

discuss.

[TheGreatA]

Throwing 13 left hooks in 10 seconds

-Roy Jones

http://fighthype.com/pages/content5583.html?PHPSESSID=89b96fcf1dbacf51aa12380311bdde8b

[Benncollinsaad]

Throwing 4 left hooks in 3 seconds

- Roy Jones

Cool! That really MUST be skill.

[MANGLER]

A skill is anything a fighter does well. Simple as that. Some fighters are skillful at bein dirty FFS, but it's still a skill.

[Steak]

A skill is anything a fighter does well. Simple as that. Some fighters are skillful at bein dirty FFS, but it's still a skill.

fighting efficiently with dirty tactics can be a skill, I agree, but I usually think along the lines of
'If a certain fighter got most his physical gifts taken away from him, would he still be a good fighter?'

someone like Jermain Taylor is a very good athlete, but his in the ring strategies, defensive ability and poise are only so-so.
which is why he falls short sometimes.

[Dapperdon70]

Throwing 13 left hooks in 10 seconds

-Roy Jones

http://fighthype.com/pages/content55...12380311bdde8b

This act would be talent or natural ability. Roy Jones was born with that speek. Dictionary.com lists the definition of skill as:

Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.


The longer you practice boxing, left hooks, jabs, footwork, fighting styles/games plans, you acquire a better skill set in that action. Thus, the more skilled fighter is the one who has worked repititions on his craft and has god given natural ability to execute those actions. A good example would be Kobe Bryant. Highly talented, actually world class talent and the work ethic to apply repititions, passion, and durability to continue working on his craft, even in the offseason. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is always in shape, thus his skills don't diminish, and he has the god given natural ability(recent retirement not withstanding- but we know Floyd stays in shape- skillset still present remains to be seen on Sept.19th)

[Tom Cruise]

ability + technique = skill

ability is what your born with ie. fast twitch muscle, coordination, it cant be taught and can only be slightly improved. Technique is the form you put your abilities into and can be learned (if not always performed).

i knew i did pe at a level for a reason

[Junito-Rulez]

Technique and the ability to use it. Jab, combos, defense, counter attacking, footwork, head movements, blocking.

[Dynamite Kid]

I would says skill is an ability to use your imagination.

[Pullcounter]

well, heres mine, its pretty simple and broad.
"Any non-physical attribute that a boxer uses to win fights"

I agree with this.