Patterson, Louis, and others advice for training with the Heavy Bag

**Chris Nagel** · 07-31-2009 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by southpawed

i couldnt really register the part where joe louis says to hit bag when its swinging away. i always hit the bag right when it swings back at me. Which is what the million dollar baby guy says will smother your punches.

If im throwing a hook in the same direction the bags swinging, wont i be throwing past my center line and be off balance, since my hook is chasing the bag, instead of meeting it in a collision?

im pretty sure i misunderstood

on another note, what i thought was interesting, was the exercise that Floyd mentions about weaving and crouching low underneath the bag and using head movement to avoid the oncoming swing. Thats a trademark Cus De Amato exercise right there i bet you. Cause ive seen Tyson do the exact thing in some fights.

Joe Louis means exactly what he says. I don't think that you should reach with your punches when hitting it that way, instead a couple of rapid steps should put you in range to hit the bag as it simulates hitting an opponent who's on the retreat. In that sense, think about using the swinging bag to help you become better at coordinating your hands and feet. As the bag swings left or right, step in the same direction as the bag and then follow it with a punch (e.g. the bag swings to your right, so you take a step to the right, shifting your weight onto your right foot and then throw a left hook into the bag). One exercise you can do as the bag is swinging backward, is step in, punch, and then turn on an angle so that you avoid the bag's oncoming swing (which simulates an opponent's punch) allowing you to go follow up with a combination, or to punch and get back to long range. HBO did a special before on Paul Williams, Ring Life, which showed some clips from his training. Interestingly enough, it shows Williams stepping around the bag turning/spinning it like he would an opponent. It's worth checking out if you get the chance. A heavy bag is a good way to work on angles with your footwork.

Anyways about Patterson's ducking under the bag, I've seen a lot of other fighters do it. I think in general the bags they used swung a lot more, which can be a good thing too. It allows you work on a lot of different things, and even if you're not hitting the bag, keep bag moving with a shove and then you can practice footwork. Against the oncoming bag, you can practice side-stepping (i.e. stepping forward on an angle with your back foot, and not simply a step to the side), step around the bag with economy of movement, and shoot off your punches quickly, shifting your weight into your blows when you're in position.

To allow your bag to swing more, I recommend that it should be on a long line hanging from a higher spot such as a tree branch, or a high beam. The bottom of the bag should be at about waist height as this allows for weaving under the bag, as well as landing half uppercuts on the bottom. This is also better on your wrists as the bag will move more readily since you’re head shots land closer toward the middle of the bag instead of near the chain. You can control the bag’s swing with your jab.