Having trouble with the Deville A-51

[2v1977]

Hi all

I recieved my Deville A-51 swivel from Dee last Friday, it took only 6 days to arrive here in the UK and I was very excited to use it, Dee was very easy to deal with and the product is great. I have been hitting quite well and now use a 6x4 Rival bag on my U-bolt swivel, I thought I was pretty good at it as I could keep the bag going for a few minutes but only the standard boxing style, I am having trouble getting the timing right while trying other combinations, I have managed to put an elbow strike in but its very slow. I will keep practicing.

I removed the U-bolt swivel and put in the A-51 (it does make a great click-clack noise when hitting) but I can't keep the bag going, it bounces all over the place, I must have picked up some bad habbits while using the U-bolt. I changes to my 10x7 Rival bag but that does the same, it has to be the way I am hitting the bag but I thought I was hitting it right with the other swivel, can a swivel really make that much difference?

What can I do?

[ventanakaz]

here's the thing with the different swivels, with the chainlink type and the u-bolt type you are cheating. what i mean by that is those swivels help keep the bag in line when hitting with the basic straight strikes, but when you start hitting from all angles they seem to bind up. with the ballhook you have to be more accurate with your strikes, the swivel won't help keep the bag in line (no cheating) and the ballhook won't bind up when going crazy from all angles. also the ballhook is a slower swivel than the others there's more friction but you will get over that in no time and be able to get the ballhook to move as fast as the others, also not all ballhooks are the same. just keep at it with the A-51 and use the bigger bags untill you get more accurate then you can move down to the smaller sizes. this all takes time and some people pick it up faster than others, just don't quit and keep at it start out slow and try to be accurate with your striking. always have fun while your at it...ralph

[MsDeville]

Ralph explains it very well. Yes, ball-hook swivels can definitely be a challenge when starting out. It took me several days to get used to a ball-hook after being spoiled by a U-bolt swivel.

I'm sure you're finding it frustrating, but once you get the hang of it and gain experience, you'll grow to love it. Make sure you're keeping your elbows up (both elbows!) when striking, paying attention to your execution. If you can videotape yourself, you might be able to see what you're doing that is causing the bag to go in a wacky direction

Keep us posted of your progress.

[sendmorecops]

I moved from an everlast metal ballhook to the deville and it took me a couple sessions to get back to where I was. The deville is a lot smoother and faster and at first I had the same problem with it seeming to go out of control at times. I just worked on timing and accuracy and its not an issue anymore. Cheers, and good luck

[Dutchman]

If you have started out with either the now defunct roller chain swivel or the current "pro" U swivel, a ball hook can destroy your confidence in your ability very quickly. Take a deep breath and say to yourself "this is not a "speed" bag, it's a "control" bag. Start over again with the basic punches and rythms. Do not try to increase your punching speed right away. Low and slow is the way to go. When you have remastered the basics now start trying to hit from the back or the side. Once again don't push it. The speed will come later when you have mastered the control part and things will begin to gel.

[2v1977]

Thanks for the advice, I love hitting the bag so there in no way I will be quitting, I will just have to take the time to get used to the swivel.

I am trying to upload a video from my iPad but I don't seem to be able to, hopefully I can get a video up soon.

I will keep you updated on my progress.

[ventanakaz]

Originally Posted by 2v1977

Thanks for the advice, I love hitting the bag so there in no way I will be quitting, I will just have to take the time to get used to the swivel.

I am trying to upload a video from my iPad but I don't seem to be able to, hopefully I can get a video up soon.

I will keep you updated on my progress.

...you could try uploading a video to youtube then post a link to it here...ralph