Increase Your Boxing Skill - How to Hit a Speed Bag

One tool that many boxers use to increase their hand-eye coordination and punching speed is the speed bag. If you don't know what a speed bag is, I can almost guarantee you've seen one in a movie or a cartoon before. A speed bag itself looks somewhat like a tear, and it hangs from a board that is usually mounted in a wall. The speed bag should be at about eye level, or a little higher.

The most important aspect of hitting a speed bag is timing. Without timing there is no way to know when to swing at the speed bag. When hitting a speed bag the best way to measure you timing is by counting 1-2-3 repeatedly. But how fast should you count to 3, and loop it in your mind?

A speed bag generally bounces around pretty fast, so I will explain in the best way possible on how to time yourself when striking a speed bag. For anyone who knows what 4/4 timing is for music, the timing of a speed bag is about a quarter of a 4/4 measure. So, one swing usually equals two beats in a measure. But not everyone knows how to count 1/4 beats in a generic musical measure, so I will also use the comparison of syllables as well. One count to 3 when striking a speed bag is about equal to 1 and a half syllables. Of course this is mere observation, and there a lot more factors that play into timing such as strength, accuracy, and speed of the speed bag itself.

When counting 1-2-3, each number stands for something physical that is happening to the speed bag. You will notice a head board above the speed bag that the bag bounces on once you strike it. Once you initially strike the speed bag it will hit the board, but the side opposing you. Once the bag hits the board, count 1. The speed bag will now come back towards you to strike the board again, but this time it's coming to the side you're on. Once the bag hits the board on this side, count 2. The bag will now travel back away from you and hit the board again. Once it hits the board on the opposing side, that's count 3.

As soon as you reach the three, swing again. If you wait too long the bag will already be coming back towards you and the bag will get hit upward and not go anywhere really. If you swing as soon as you count to the 3 you'll be right on par to hit the bag, and the bag will be exactly, or near it's starting position where you want it to be.

Timing isn't the only factor. Accuracy plays a heavy role in where the speed bag goes. Hit the speed bag with your fist a little under the middle, but still center your fist horizontally. As soon as you strike the bag bring your fist back up towards your face and swing again. You can alternate fists, or use one first, whatever you want to do. Using one fist is usually easier for a novice. Once you gain experience you can do the flashy stuff such as switching fists at will.

If you drop your fists you'll mess up your timing. More experienced people will be able to keep their hands up for a lengthier amount of time. Just hold out as long as you can to enhance your endurance.

When a novice hits a speed bag their knuckles may also bleed, which I have found to be normal after watching several people hit a speed bag. The skin on the knuckles of a novice seem to be soft and cannot endure such constant contact with a speed bag. if you're bleeding, I suggest getting some sort of workout or boxing gloves to keep the bag clean, and to keep your knuckles safe. Start without the gloves, but after some blood starts seeping through, put the gloves on. Do not share these gloves with anyone else for health reasons. Also, clean the blood off prior to wearing the glove(s).

With your new skills of hitting a speed bag your hand-eye coordination will be increased, and your speed will dramatically increase over time. Hitting a speed bag is very difficult at first, even though it looks easy. I cannot tell you how many times someone would try to show me up only to be embarrassed in the end. Training and endurance is the key to successfully hitting a speed bag.

Questions/comments? E-mail me at chem1calburn@yahoo.com or simply message me via Associated Content.