The Box’Tag program is aimed at using a modified, low-risk form of boxing as a vehicle to assist with the personal growth and development of people from various backgrounds and to encourage community engagement. Our program actively fosters the participation of whole families and the involvement of friendship groups. Nevertheless, all participants are considered to be athletes and are treated accordingly. The program is geared toward preparing participants for regular ‘end-of-term’ public performances that gives athletes an opportunity to exhibit their capabilities in an encouraging and supportive environment. The preparation entails not only the development of high levels of fitness and boxing-related technical proficiency but also engagement in a range of activities intended to help build critical life skills.

1. Development of a modified form of boxing
focused on participant safety and enjoyment
Paul Perkins & Allan Hahn
April 2015

2. Between 1890 and 2007, at least
1,216 boxers
(923 professional, 293 amateurs)
died from acute injuries
particularly to the head and neck
In addition
repeated head impacts can cause
anatomical changes to the brain
(chronic traumatic encephalopathy)
with associated
neurological dysfunction & behavioural problems
Why? Because Conventional Boxing is dangerous!

3. Additional Concerns
Central issue:
Intent to harm the opponent

4. Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport, 2011
Boxing-related are activities are popular for fitness and complex
skill development
Almost 207,000 Australians regularly take part in such activities
The Other Side of the Coin
Is it possible to conceive of a form of boxing that removes the
negative elements but retains the positives?

5. Box’Tag - a modified form of boxing developed in Australia
Head and neck excluded from target area
(which is designated by white sections of vests in photograph below)
But participants still wear head guards and mouthguards as protection against any
accidentally misdirected impacts
Rules also prohibit excessive punch force

6. 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
0 5 10 15
Punch velocity (m.sec-1)
Impactforce
(Newtons)
12oz glove
16oz glove
Prototype low-impact glove
Effect of glove type on impact force
Low-impact gloves have been introduced
The gloves incorporate
bladders to buffer
impact forces

7. Transceiver sends data by Bluetooth to ringside computer where dedicated software
package (Spartan) applies an algorithm to determine if a point should be registered
Automated Scoring Technology
Instrumented vest
with sensor stripes
Transceiver
Glove with attached
conductive material
Ringside computer (& operator) Real-time display of scores

8. Mobile Phone Scoring Technology
Spectators can vote on contests via simple mobile phone messages
This promotes audience involvement and provides an alternative scoring method for
clubs without resources to acquire fully instrumented equipment
The two different scoring methods can be used simultaneously

9. Who won?
Red Blue
1 2
Margin
Slight Small Moderate Large Extreme
2 3 4 51
Contest
Quality
Very Poor Average Outstanding
9901
Round 1
50
Send message to: 0475 453 774
Contest quality to be rated in percentage terms
Elapsed
Break Time: O:14
Mobile phone
scoring method

10. Name of Club
Josh vs Lenny
Clock
0:25Round 2
Superinteractive
Score at end
Round 1 14 12
Mobile phone
scoring method

11. Name of Club
Josh vs Lenny
Round 1 14 12
Round 2 13 11
Round 3 12 14
Total 39 37
Bout Quality Rating:
63%
Final Result:
Superinteractive
boxtag
Mobile phone
scoring method

12. The mobile phone scoring technology can be used in ‘Quality only’ mode
(where audience votes on technical quality of contest rather selecting a winner)
This promotes teamwork between participants in a
contest and a joint focus on technical excellence
It is ideal for contests between juniors
The automated scoring technology can be used in ‘countdown’ mode
where each contestant is allocated a starting number of points and required to defend them.
Handicapping of contestants is therefore possible.
Scoring Options
The software therefore allows implementation of various new competition models

13. Specialised game-based activities have been
developed for building Box’Tag skills and fitness

14. On-line resources have been established for Box’Tag
coaches and athletes
and peer-reviewed research papers have been published

15. Inclusive Participation Model
Box’Tag aims to cater for broad, sustained participation –
not gradual whittling down of participation in a search for champions
It seeks to be a vehicle for incidental education of participants,
development of a thirst for learning and building of community spirit
Box’Tag is about
Sport for Development
rather than Development for Sport

16. Safety
Prof John Pearn, a prominent
Australian medical specialist who
opposes conventional boxing, has
attended several Box’Tag
competitions and has provided his
full endorsement
Other prominent advocates for
Box’Tag include the Queensland
Chief Scientist and former Chief
Executive Officer of CSIRO Dr
Geoff Garrett and former Chief
Executive Officer of the
Australian Sports Commission,
Mr Jim Ferguson
Dr Geoff Garrett Mr Jim Ferguson

17. Physical Intensity
The low risk of injury in Box’Tag encourages considerable engagement,
placing high physiological loads on contestants
Heart rates measured during Box’Tag contests have been close to maximum
age-predicted values and blood lactate levels have been similar to those
reported for conventional boxing.
Box’Tag is a physically demanding activity that requires
focus on fitness development

18. Skill Development
• much earlier age of uptake
• more adventurous exploration of tactical
approaches
• higher frequency of sparring and competition
• greater longevity of participation
Former AIS and Australian
boxing coach Paul Perkins, who
now runs the Canberra Box’Tag
program
Skill Acquisition specialist Ric
Shuttleworth, who has taken
an interest in Box’Tag
development
This favours high-level skill development
Coaches and Motor Skill Acquisition specialists have noted
that the relative safety of Box’Tag enables:
Many of the skills are potentially transferable to other sports

19. A Box’Tag program has been running in Sydney since 2006.
More recently, exemplar programs been established also in Canberra,
Melbourne and the NSW Coastal town of Ulladulla.
Where does Box’Tag currently exist?
Group of coaches at Sydney Box’Tag facility
Box’Tag ring at Canberra
Police Community Youth Club
The Sydney and Canberra programs are the largest
Demonstrations of Box’Tag are being provided at numerous locations in
eastern Australia

20. Who is taking part in Box’Tag?
Over the past 9 years hundreds of people have participated
About ¼ of participants
are female
Participants vary greatly in age, socio-economic background and cultural heritage

21. Queensland Pilot Project 2011
Box’Tag training program made available to Year 7 students at large primary school
in disadvantaged locality
• 35 % of all eligible Year 7 students nominated for the 8-week program (which involved committing
three lunchtimes per week).
• 47 of the 51 volunteers completed the program (with average attendance rate of 70%) and
showed significant increase in aerobic fitness
• Teachers reported that some students showed marked improvement in classroom and school
ground behaviour
• There were no injuries resulting from participation in the program (but 7 students missed sessions
due to injuries sustained in other sports and physical activities)

22. Summary
• maximises safety
• removes any intent to harm the opponent
• overcomes essentially all objections to conventional boxing
• provides an excellent means for fitness and skill development
• is highly inclusive
• caters for individual needs while having a community orientation
• offers novel approaches to training and competition
• is suitable for implementation in clubs, schools and universities
• gives the sport of boxing an entirely new dimension
Box’Tag is a modified form of boxing that:
Its potential for further uptake merits exploration