Help me re-learn to hit a speed bag

October 10, 2005 2:43 PM

I can't hit a speed bag anymore. I've been boxing training for a couple years, then quit for six months, started again and I can't hit it anymore. It's like I never had a boxing lesson before (boy, I did). I thought it was like riding a bike, that one couldn't un-learn it. It seems more like golf, that without constant practice I'm screwed. My trainer is indeed baffled. Boxing MeFites, any past experiences? Thanks.

Should I get a heavier bag? P.S. My deltoids hurt like hell.

posted by matteo to sports, hobbies, & recreation (10 comments total)

Is this something that only happened for a day or has it been going on for a few days?
posted by 517 at 6:28 PM on October 10, 2005

Hitting the speed bag is a skill combining hand eye, speed, rhythm etc.
Practice. Learning something like this a 2nd time is always much faster. I'm a 'motor moron' about some things...including this (I've always had problems with hitting the speed back with rhythm.)

Every sport, requires constant practice to 'do well'...although the longer you've done it, the younger you've learned it, the easier it is to recall.

Bonus, you're trying to do it...failing....and then punishing yourself by saying "Why can't I do this.". Relax. You'll be better next time..as your brain rewires back to those skills.

You haven't lost as much as you think - I'll bet you can still hit a heavy bag and pads...without hurting yourself.

And hell yeah, your shoulders hurt. When was the last time you constantly used your amrs like that?
posted by filmgeek at 6:38 PM on October 10, 2005

517 -- twice already

filmgeek -- swimming, 40 days ago
posted by matteo at 7:36 PM on October 10, 2005

I don't know how much use this comment will be to you, but when I was learning how to hit the speed bag I only used my dominant hand. After I could get a slow rhythm going, I would work in one hit from my less dominant hand and then get the rhythm back with my dominant hand.

It might just be that your less dominant hand has become a little weaker while you've been resting and your brain just needs to learn how to compensate for it.
posted by 517 at 8:40 PM on October 10, 2005

it doesn't sound that farfetched, I'll try that -- thanks
posted by matteo at 9:09 PM on October 10, 2005

My piano teacher always says that for every day you are on vacation, that's one day you need to regain those skills. She may have a slight bias though, as I sound horrible when I don't practice...
posted by michaelkuznet at 9:42 PM on October 10, 2005

Is this a floor-to-ceiling bag on bungee cord? Or one of those tear-drop shaped bags hanging from a plate? If it's the latter, I've never used one, so this may not be relevant :-)

If it's the former, my advice is to remember that it's specifically designed to be difficult to hit. Don't worry about power - focus on speed and technique. Start with jabs, making the bag come straight back at you. Every now and again, hook it so that its direction of swing alters. Hooking it should be difficult to achieve, since it will be swinging towards and away from you very quickly after a few jabs. Once you hook it sweetly, it will swing left and right (or totally eccentrically). Then try to jab it. Alternate jabs and hooks - bobbing and weaving all the time of course.

The way I look at it, is to use the thing as if it's a very fast moving opponent. Sure you could build up a rep of 100s of jabs, but you wouldn't be testing yourself much. Make it difficult. Keep the punches crisp and light. Constantly change the direction of the thing by alternating straight punches with hooks. I throw in elbows and even kicks too.

Hope that helps.
posted by ajp at 2:33 AM on October 11, 2005

There was a study out awhile ago that surgeons who play first person shooter video games had less surgical errors.

Get yourself Halo2 and an xbox. Put in 30 minutes a day.

You'll soon be better than you ever were.
posted by ewkpates at 6:45 AM on October 11, 2005

ajp -- teardrop
posted by matteo at 7:00 AM on October 11, 2005

bugger.
posted by ajp at 8:53 AM on October 12, 2005