• North Carolina Context: In North Carolina, youth crime rates and high school dropout rates are pressing concerns. For instance, juvenile crime accounts for a significant portion of arrests. Educational challenges also persist, with dropout rates in some areas being higher than the national average. This program aims to redirect youthful energy into positive activities that build self-esteem, discipline, and life skills.

• Therapeutic Model: The program integrates principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps participants understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, encouraging more constructive thinking and coping strategies.

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction to Boxing and Program Goals

• Objective: Introduce participants to the basics of boxing, program structure, and personal goal setting.

• Activities: Ice-breaking activities, introduction to boxing gear and basic stances, discussion of program expectations.

• Therapeutic Focus: Establishing trust, outlining the CBT model as it applies to setting and achieving personal goals.

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Week 2: Foundations of Boxing

• Objective: Teach fundamental boxing techniques and the importance of discipline.

• Activities: Basic punches (jab, cross), footwork drills, and shadowboxing.

• Therapeutic Focus: Relating discipline in sports to discipline in life, understanding how structured activity can improve mental health.

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Week 3: Fitness and Strength Building

• Objective: Enhance physical fitness through strength and conditioning exercises tailored to boxing.

• Activities: Circuit training including push-ups, sit-ups, and agility ladders.

• Therapeutic Focus: Discussing the impact of physical health on emotional well-being.

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Week 4: Technique Improvement

• Objective: Refine boxing skills and introduce defensive techniques.

• Activities: Partner drills, focus mitt training, introduction to blocking and slipping punches.

• Therapeutic Focus: Stress management through physical activity, using boxing as a metaphor for overcoming life's challenges.

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Week 5: Mental Health and Boxing

• Objective: Explore the connection between mental health and sports.

• Activities: Guest speaker (sports psychologist), group discussions about mental health.

• Therapeutic Focus: Cognitive restructuring techniques from CBT to address negative thoughts and promote positivity.

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Week 6: Sparring and Strategy

• Objective: Apply boxing skills in controlled sparring sessions and learn about strategic thinking.

• Activities: Supervised sparring with peers, strategy lessons focusing on when and how to use different boxing techniques.

• Therapeutic Focus: Enhancing problem-solving skills, understanding the importance of strategy in both boxing and life decisions.

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Week 7: Life Skills and Boxing

• Objective: Integrate life skills training with boxing, focusing on communication, teamwork, and leadership.

• Activities: Team-building exercises, role-play scenarios requiring teamwork and leadership, reflection sessions.

• Therapeutic Focus: Building communication skills and teamwork through group activities, using CBT to improve interpersonal interactions.

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Week 8: Review and Showcase

• Objective: Review learned skills, celebrate achievements, and plan for future personal and athletic growth.

• Activities: Boxing showcase event for family and community, certificate ceremony, personal reflections and future goals discussion.

• Therapeutic Focus: Reflecting on personal growth, reinforcing the CBT model's effectiveness in real-life application, setting future goals.

Additional Components

• Parental/Guardian Workshops: Parallel sessions on understanding youth challenges and supporting their growth through sports.

• Continuous Evaluation: Regular feedback from participants to tailor the program to their needs and maximize engagement.

This detailed outline for an 8-week boxing program aims not only to teach boxing but also to empower at-risk youth by providing them with tools to manage their behavior and emotions effectively, fostering a healthier transition into adulthood.