How do you know when to move to a smaller bag?

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  • 2v1977
    Speed Bag Trainee
    • Jul 2012
    • 12

    How do you know when to move to a smaller bag?

    Hi

    I have been watching some of the video's of people bagging and also reading a lot of threads about bag sizes, platforms and swivels, it's all interesting stuff and there are some seriously good baggers out there but the big question is when do we know it's time to move on to a smaller bag.

    Do you have to master all the punch combinations first?

    Is there a set time you have to be able to bag without stopping to be able to say that you have mastered that perticular bag?

    I think these are vital questions for a newb like me.

    Cheers all
  • Speedbag
    Author of the Speed Bag Bible, founder of speedbagcentral.com

    • Feb 2006
    • 7109

    #2
    Originally posted by 2v1977 View Post
    Hi

    I have been watching some of the video's of people bagging and also reading a lot of threads about bag sizes, platforms and swivels, it's all interesting stuff and there are some seriously good baggers out there but the big question is when do we know it's time to move on to a smaller bag.

    Do you have to master all the punch combinations first?

    Is there a set time you have to be able to bag without stopping to be able to say that you have mastered that perticular bag?

    I think these are vital questions for a newb like me.

    Cheers all
    "....Do you have to master all the punch combinations first?" NO. you can move to a smaller faster bag for just the basic triplet rhythm punching pattern, often called "The Basic Rhythm".


    " ...Is there a set time you have to be able to bag without stopping to be able to say that you have mastered that perticular bag ?"

    NO. There is no time tables set or requirements of non-stop, no mistakes punching to set any standard of ability on any particular bag. As you learn new techniques and combinations and get comfortable with them on a larger bag, then you can try them on a smaller, faster bag.

    The truth is (my opinion only..) we often speak of bag sizes as a determinate of skill, when in fact the bag holds no such power over the bagger. We do not have to master "a bag" of any size, we must learn to control the fist and elbow motions with smooth, rhythmic repetitiveness - and then learn to do them faster and faster, allowing you to go to a smaller, faster bag. Think of the speed bag (any size) as a mirror (reflection) of your ability to perform and control the punching and swinging movements. when you can do certain movements (no matter how many...) very well, with control on a larger (slower) bag, you will notice they seem natural and easy, and the bag's reaction, sound and movement, reflects your control. They no longer seem difficult on that bag. So, you move to a smaller bag, which is a little bit smaller mirror of your skill to control those movements at a faster rate.

    But the bottom line is, there is no specific rule about how long you can do anything on a bag as a "marker" to move to another bag, larger or smaller. If movements are harder to perform or control on a smaller bag, than you can always let a bit of air out of it to slow it down, and it will still help your punching movements because of the smaller rebound arc, and less room between the board and bag belly. Learning to do fist (elbow) movements within the shorter distance of that rebound arc is just as important as pounding them out faster on a larger bag. Bottom line is a bags size and bag speed are dependent on two things: (1) inflation and (2) length of rebound arc. You can vary (1) the inflation rates of a bag by adding or releasing air, making it faster or slower, but you cannot vary (2) the length of it's "hang" and rebound arc. the room you have from the belly of the bag to the board can often influence your ability to work it as much as the inflation will.

    Lately I've been working on some of Ebozyn's complex combinations, and I can actually do them Faster on a larger 9x6 or 10x7 bag. But when I make to a faster bag (8x5) a bit slower, by letting some air out, I still can't do them because the "room to perform the fist movements" under the board (..ie, rebound arc of the bag) is so much smaller. My failure to do them on the smaller, and potentially faster bag is not because I can't do the movements faster enough, but because I can't do them "small enough" to fit in the smaller rebound arc of that smaller bag.

    I hope that makes sense.
    Last edited by Speedbag; 07-05-2012, 10:46 AM.
    Speed Bag

    Put a little Rhythm in YOUR workout!
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    The Quest Continues...
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    • Zaza
      Speed Bag Guru
      • Apr 2011
      • 2000

      #3
      ^ again, this is why I love this forum, excellent advice & insight directly from the Master!

      ...FYI, for me, I use a variety of bags during a workout, starting with a larger bag for a good warm-up (and powerful workout)...then to my favorite 6x9 or 5x8 to speed it up a bit and work on combinations...then finally, the smallest and lightest (the Atomic for me) to speed it up and cool down. Sometimes, when I get to the smallest bags, it's like hitting air!
      Art of the Bag - A Speed Bag Story
      http://www.artofthebag.com

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      • Speedbag
        Author of the Speed Bag Bible, founder of speedbagcentral.com

        • Feb 2006
        • 7109

        #4
        Originally posted by Zaza View Post
        ^ again, this is why I love this forum, excellent advice & insight directly from the Master!

        ...FYI, for me, I use a variety of bags during a workout, starting with a larger bag for a good warm-up (and powerful workout)...then to my favorite 6x9 or 5x8 to speed it up a bit and work on combinations...then finally, the smallest and lightest (the Atomic for me) to speed it up and cool down. Sometimes, when I get to the smallest bags, it's like hitting air!
        and that is a problem with smaller bags. Their lack of weight or resistance makes them a bit harder to hit and get them to "go fast" because their lack of weight seems to make them "float", like punching a paper plate. Their have been times when I think I was faster on a 9x6 than these lighter 8x5's or smaller, just because their weight ratio seems to move better.

        but the "skunk bag" or black everlast 7x4 is pretty heavy for it's size, as were the 8x5 ringside bananna bag.

        I do like the Title atomic. Nice weight and feel off the hands.
        Last edited by Speedbag; 07-06-2012, 07:20 PM.
        Speed Bag

        Put a little Rhythm in YOUR workout!
        *attendee: Every SB gathering so far!
        The Quest Continues...
        Hoping for another Gathering...


        sigpic

        The Art of the Bag

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        • 2v1977
          Speed Bag Trainee
          • Jul 2012
          • 12

          #5
          Smaller bags

          Great reply Alan, thanks so much.

          I recently purchased 2 title classic bags (9x6, 8x5) from the USA but due to shipping and UK importation costs I had to cancel the order because it was to exspensive, so I got a Rival 8x5 here in the UK from Sugar Rays boxing.

          The reviews are good for this bag so I thought I would give it a shot, my brother lives in Houston so I will get him to bring my Deville swivel and a few new bags over with him next month when he comes.

          This site has really helped me and I cant thank you guys enough for your help, my bagging has really improved in only a few days and I have even got my wife to try it, the only thing is that it looks like I will have to put another platform in because I can't get her off my one, she loves it.

          Thanks again
          Wayne

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          • Speedbag
            Author of the Speed Bag Bible, founder of speedbagcentral.com

            • Feb 2006
            • 7109

            #6
            Originally posted by 2v1977 View Post
            Great reply Alan, thanks so much.

            I recently purchased 2 title classic bags (9x6, 8x5) from the USA but due to shipping and UK importation costs I had to cancel the order because it was to exspensive, so I got a Rival 8x5 here in the UK from Sugar Rays boxing.

            The reviews are good for this bag so I thought I would give it a shot, my brother lives in Houston so I will get him to bring my Deville swivel and a few new bags over with him next month when he comes.

            This site has really helped me and I cant thank you guys enough for your help, my bagging has really improved in only a few days and I have even got my wife to try it, the only thing is that it looks like I will have to put another platform in because I can't get her off my one, she loves it.

            Thanks again
            Wayne
            Love to hear that.
            Speed Bag

            Put a little Rhythm in YOUR workout!
            *attendee: Every SB gathering so far!
            The Quest Continues...
            Hoping for another Gathering...


            sigpic

            The Art of the Bag

            Comment

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