Heavy bag

JohnAkaB · 01-02-2006, 04:44 AM

i'm new to this fighting sport. what will hitting the heavy bag teach me? is there anything i should do before i begin hitting the bag? i'm new so throw me all the info i need.

Crashsti · 01-02-2006, 11:21 AM

the heavy bag is decent for working on basic combinations and building power in your punches. if you're just starting out focus as much on technique as power. you don't want to just go full on with a heavybag without having proper mechanics behind your punches. its easy to sprain a wrist on a heavy bag if you're not focused. always use bag gloves and its even better to use wrist wraps with them to avoid injury.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 01-02-2006, 11:50 AM

i agree, i love the heavy bag and its great for just starting out and for those who are experienced... concentrate on form, angles and technique along with footwork and combos..... as all this is put together you can go harder and harder and work on power

JitsuChick · 01-02-2006, 04:34 PM

I love the heavy bag too but I thought shadow boxing worked better for me as technique goes in the beginning. I also put duct tape on my bag as a sort of indicator where things are at.

AikaImmortal · 01-02-2006, 06:26 PM

heavy bag also gets your joints better prepared for repeated hard impacts.

jetmechG550 · 01-02-2006, 09:53 PM

I love heavy bag work. I just got a 6ft Thai bag for home, still working on hanging it but it's great. I think it helps build stamina/endurance as well. Thinking you can go three minutes and actually going at it for three minutes, well you'll learn rather quickly. Granted it doesn't fight back but will really help you in developing power and your technique.

sitnspin · 01-03-2006, 10:39 AM

It serves multiple purposes. It's definitely a cardio-strengthening tool, for example: Push into the bag, so you're holding it back at an angle, and then wail on it. Do 30 second bursts where you're hitting it hard and fast, give yourself a 10 second rest, and then repeat that whole process five more times.

It's also great for footwork and coordination and practicing combos, and this is what many people who are self-trained often miss: People think the heavy bag is only for pounding on, but what happens is that you get so focused on how hard and fast you're punching that you gradually lose sight of the important stuff like how you're moving, keeping your hands up, moving your head, keeping your chin in. I watch guys working the bag, and all that defensive stuff that you should be keeping in mind 100% of the time goes out the window. So the first exercise that I mentioned up top has its place, but it has to be kept very separate -- the important training on the heavy bag involves all this other stuff I just mentioned.

Crashti is right that in general, you want to focus more on technique than power, because that's what wins fights. A great way to work the bag is to get it swinging toward you and away. When it swings toward you, slip it to one side or the other, and as soon as it starts swinging away, land a combination or two. Try and keep this rhythm going.

JohnAkaB · 01-03-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

It serves multiple purposes. It's definitely a cardio-strengthening tool, for example: Push into the bag, so you're holding it back at an angle, and then wail on it. Do 30 second bursts where you're hitting it hard and fast, give yourself a 10 second rest, and then repeat that whole process five more times.

It's also great for footwork and coordination and practicing combos, and this is what many people who are self-trained often miss: People think the heavy bag is only for pounding on, but what happens is that you get so focused on how hard and fast you're punching that you gradually lose sight of the important stuff like how you're moving, keeping your hands up, moving your head, keeping your chin in. I watch guys working the bag, and all that defensive stuff that you should be keeping in mind 100% of the time goes out the window. So the first exercise that I mentioned up top has its place, but it has to be kept very separate -- the important training on the heavy bag involves all this other stuff I just mentioned.

Crashti is right that in general, you want to focus more on technique than power, because that's what wins fights. A great way to work the bag is to get it swinging toward you and away. When it swings toward you, slip it to one side or the other, and as soon as it starts swinging away, land a combination or two. Try and keep this rhythm going.

damn you right, i forgot how important the footwork was also
I just picked up this bag and stand yesterday for $150. TKO 100lbs bag was for $40, good deal so i had to pick it up

Master Jones · 01-03-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashsti

the heavy bag is decent for working on basic combinations and building power in your punches. if you're just starting out focus as much on technique as power. you don't want to just go full on with a heavybag without having proper mechanics behind your punches. its easy to sprain a wrist on a heavy bag if you're not focused. always use bag gloves and its even better to use wrist wraps with them to avoid injury.

You got it! Listen to Crashsti, "Work on you technique and the power will come naturally."

JohnAkaB · 01-03-2006, 08:32 PM

Ok i'm new and jsut starting off on the heavy bag. Can someone please tell me some techniques of hitting the bag?

JitsuChick · 01-07-2006, 06:20 PM

I have a recording of actions (maybe not the best word) Like 4, left hook, right straight, and I end every set with a knee or kick....more so cardio and speed, I guess, thast what I do at home w/ my bag(s)....

sosomomonono · 01-10-2006, 12:22 AM

Yeh, practice combinations and work them often, even make some of your own. Try workin combos that transition between the body and the head. Work, body,body,head-or right left to the bod,then work the head are. good stuff :sport-smi

666 · 01-10-2006, 02:01 AM

With my bag I usually do punch punch punch punch punch kick kick kick kick punch punch punch punch punch punch punch punch kick kick kick (repeat until Im either bored or too tired to keep going) :sport-smi