How to Hit the Double End Bag: Tips and Techniques
If you’re a beginner boxer, the double-end bag can be an intimidating piece of equipment. Unlike the heavy bag or speed bag, this bag moves all over the place and can hit back. But don’t let that scare you away! Learning how to hit the double-end bag can be a great way to improve your accuracy, reflexes, and footwork.
In this article, you’ll learn the basics of hitting the double-end bag, including how to stay loose and balanced, starting with basic punches and combinations, playing around with the bag’s timing, and adding defense and footwork. You’ll also find out why hitting the double-end bag is an important skill to learn and where to go from here to continue improving your boxing abilities.
Key Takeaways
- Hitting the double-end bag can improve your accuracy, reflexes, and footwork in boxing.
- Beginners can start with basic punches and combinations before adding defense and footwork.
- Continuing to practice hitting the double-end bag can help you level up your boxing skills.
How To Hit The Double-End Bag
The double-end bag is a great tool for improving a boxer’s punching skills, timing, rhythm, accuracy, and hand speed. It is an unpredictable and moving target, which can be intimidating for beginners. However, by following these steps, anyone can learn how to hit the double-end bag like a pro.
Stay Loose And Balanced
The first step to using the double-end bag is to stay loose and balanced. The bag is unpredictable and moves differently depending on its size, tension of the cords, and the amount of air in the bag. Therefore, it is essential to adapt to the bag’s movement.
Beginners may find the uncertainty of the moving target scary, while more experienced boxers may find it fun. To hit the double-end bag, one must treat the bag as either an opponent’s head slipping side to side or an opponent’s glove aiming for the face.
Start With Basic Punches And Combinations
To get a feel for the bag’s movement, beginners should start with basic punches and combinations. It is okay to forget about perfect form at first. The goal is to keep the bag under control and hit it in the same spot every time.
Beginners should start with basic punches and combinations, such as the jab, cross, jab-jab, jab-cross, jab-jab-cross, and jab-cross-hook. Later, they can focus on punching with good form.
Play Around With The Bag’s Timing
Once the boxer has mastered accuracy and power, they can start playing around with the bag’s timing. Unlike the speed bag, where the boxer listens for the triplet before hitting it, the double-end bag’s timing can be mixed up.
For instance, the boxer can try counting in two’s before hitting the bag. With a jab, the bag will swing to the opposite side on “one” and “three” and come back to the boxer on “two” and “four”. If the boxer throws a hard cross, they can hit the bag again on “two”, “four”, “six”, or “eight”. In between these counts is when they can add defense and footwork.
Add Defense And Footwork
As the boxer gains more distance from the bag and more time in between punches, they can begin to add defense and footwork. They can slip left or right and roll out of the way as the bag comes towards their face. They should not stay in place and should pull back to dodge the bag or take lateral steps around it.
If the boxer moves laterally, a jab from this angle will make the bag change from rocking back and forth to spinning in a circle as if they threw a hook. Once they start working different angles, the possibilities are endless.
In conclusion, hitting the double-end bag is a great way to improve one’s punching skills, timing, rhythm, accuracy, and hand speed. By following these steps, anyone can learn how to hit the double-end bag like a pro.
Why You Should Learn To Hit The Double-End Bag?
The double-end bag is a versatile piece of boxing equipment that offers numerous benefits. It is an excellent tool for training offensive and defensive skills simultaneously, such as accuracy, reflexes, reaction time, and creativity. Unlike the heavy bag that focuses on increasing punching power or the speed bag that develops hand coordination, the double-end bag is somewhere in between, depending on your goals.
One of the main benefits of using the double-end bag is that it helps boxers improve their accuracy. By imagining the bag as their opponent’s head, boxers can work on their precision and timing. Additionally, the double-end bag can help boxers overcome their fear of getting hit by imagining it as their opponent’s jab.
Another advantage of using the double-end bag is that it teaches boxers that it’s okay to miss punches. It’s impossible to land every punch, but what matters is maintaining balance and rhythm. By using the double-end bag, boxers can improve their footwork and head movement, which are essential skills for any boxer.
Overall, the double-end bag is a fun and challenging tool that offers numerous benefits for boxers of all levels. It is an excellent addition to any boxing training routine, providing a unique and exciting way to improve offensive and defensive skills.
Where Should You Go From Here?
Now that you have learned the basics of how to hit the double-end bag, it’s time to incorporate it into your training routine. The double-end bag is a great tool to improve your hand-eye coordination, timing, and accuracy. However, it’s important to avoid bad habits such as dropping your hands or standing in one place while hitting the bag.
To maximize the benefits of the double-end bag, try combining it with other bags such as the heavy bag and speed bag. The heavy bag will help you increase your punching power, while the speed bag will improve your timing and rhythm. Additionally, you can try training on other equipment such as the reflex bag and SparBar for a more varied workout.
If you’re looking for more boxing equipment, check out some of the best boxing jump ropes, gloves, hand wraps, head gear, shoes, and groin protectors. Remember to always prioritize safety and proper technique when training with any equipment.
Check out Dmitry Bivol’s impressive skills on the double-end bag in this video for inspiration and technical tips. Keep practicing and incorporating the double-end bag into your training routine to see improvements in your boxing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic techniques for beginners using a double end bag?
Beginners should start with small punches that don’t make the bag go back any further than 6 to 12 inches. It’s easier to control this way and develop quick fluid combinations. Start with combinations, rather than single power shots! The double-end bag is more like a speed bag than a heavy bag. Hit it with consistency, not power.
How can I set up a double end bag at home?
Setting up a double end bag at home requires a few things. You’ll need a double end bag, two bungee cords, and two hooks to attach the cords to the ceiling and floor. Adjust the cords to the appropriate length so that the bag is at the right height for your training. It’s important to ensure that the cords are tight enough to keep the bag in place while you’re hitting it.
What drills can improve accuracy and speed with a double end bag?
Drills that can improve accuracy and speed with a double end bag include working on your footwork, practicing your jab, and using different combinations. Try moving around the bag while hitting it to improve your footwork. Focus on hitting the bag with your jab to improve accuracy. Experiment with different combinations to improve your speed.
What are the benefits of training with a double end striking bag?
Training with a double end striking bag can improve your hand-eye coordination, footwork, speed, and accuracy. It’s a great tool for developing your punching technique, and it can help you improve your overall boxing skills. Additionally, using a double end bag can be a fun and challenging workout.
How do you properly adjust the tension in double end bag straps?
To properly adjust the tension in double end bag straps, start with the bag at the appropriate height. Adjust the straps by tightening or loosening them until the bag is at the desired tension. The straps should be tight enough to keep the bag in place while you’re hitting it, but not so tight that it’s difficult to hit.
Can you create a double end bag setup using DIY methods?
Yes, you can create a double end bag setup using DIY methods. One way to do this is to attach the bag to two bungee cords, which are then attached to two hooks in the ceiling and floor. You can also use a tire inner tube as a makeshift bungee cord. However, it’s important to ensure that the setup is secure and safe before using it for training.