61K1-3.013. Trainer; License and Conduct

(1) License.

(a) No person shall act as a trainer for any participant without having first obtained a trainer license.

(b) No trainer shall have financial or pecuniary interest in an opponent of his participant.

(c) No trainer shall also be licensed as a judge, referee, physician or promoter and shall not act as a judge, referee, physician or promoter.

(d) No licensed trainer shall act as a trainer in any boxing, mixed martial arts or kickboxing match in this state unless the match is sanctioned by the commission.

(2) Conduct.

(a) The trainer shall prepare the participant for the match in which he is to engage and shall provide information and direction so as to ensure that the participant is in good physical condition and is prepared to utilize and display his skills to the best of his ability.

(b) A trainer may verbally coach a participant during a round. A trainer shall not use profanity or inappropriate language or excessively coach his or her participant while working in the corner. The executive director or commission representative shall determine whether a trainer’s coaching or behavior is excessive, inappropriate, disruptive, or otherwise, unbefitting a sportsman. A trainer attempting by word or action to heckle or annoy his or her participant’s opponent. A trainer shall not use profanity or inappropriate language or excessively coach his or her participant while working in the corner. The executive director or commission representative shall determine whether a trainer’s coaching or behavior is excessive, inappropriate, disruptive, or otherwise, unbefitting a sportsman. A trainer attempting by word or action, to heckle or annoy his or her participant’s opponent or any official is strictly prohibited.

(c) A trainer shall not enter the corner or the ring or fenced area at any time during the match and shall remain seated in place during the fight period of any round and shall not knock or pound on the ring floor or apron.

(d) If any trainer steps up onto the apron during any match, the participant for whom the trainer is performing as a trainer shall be immediately determined as the losing and the opponent shall be declared the winner by technical knockout.

(e) No trainer shall approach any other person and either verbally abuse harass or threaten, or physically abuse, harass, threaten or touch such person. A trainer who violates this rule shall be immediately ejected from the premises and shall be automatically suspended until a final determination is made by the commission.

(f) Upon the proposal of a professional debut participant, the trainer may be required to certify to the commission that the professional debut participant is physically competent and possesses the skills of a trained participant including, but not limited to:

1. Competence in the elements of offense and defense;

2. Clean hitting;

3. Ring generalship; and

4. Physical stamina to fight at least the minimum number of scheduled rounds and duration.

(g) Professional debut certification shall be made to the executive director or commission representative prior to or at the time of the weigh-in by completing and signing the Pro Debut Release Form as incorporated by reference herein effective 6-1-04.

(h) A trainer shall be issued a citation for the first occurrence if the professional debut participant is not able to demonstrate the competence and skills listed above.

(i) A trainer shall be issued a citation and fined the trainer’s share of the purse for the second occurrence if the professional debut participant is not able to demonstrate the competence and skills listed above.

(j) A trainer’s license may be suspended or revoked for the third occurrence and beyond.

Rulemaking Authority 548.003 FS. Law Implemented 548.003(2), 548.006, 548.011, 548.017, 548.056 FS. History–New 4-6-89, Amended 1-9-91, Formerly 7F-1.023, Amended 9-10-95, 4-3-00, 6-1-04, Formerly 61K1-1.023.