[Klotz]

I tried hitting the heavy bag for the first time today. I'm pretty much the most physically awkward person ever, so it probably looked like a retard trying to shave, but I have some questions just to help me get on the right track. I did "jabs" and "crosses" today. I read some sticky links but I'm not even at that level yet.

Are there any websites that show how to do the basic punches, like frame by frame, showing how the feet, hips, hands move at each stage?

Is the bag supposed to swing much? If it is, at what stage of the swing are you supposed to hit it? If it isn't, how do you make it not swing?

How much is each foot supposed to move during the jab or cross?

Should the hand hit the bag when the arm is fully extended?

Should the glove be facing the ground when it hits, or perpendicular to the ground?

What does a good stance look like?

How do you prevent your hands and wrists from getting hurt? Is it just a matter of wrapping them properly?

Is your body supposed to face the bag at the end of a cross?

Should your head, shoulder, and fist be lined up at the end of a jab?

That's it for now. I'll probably think of more as I keep up the hitting.

[uzbekistanian]

Originally Posted by Klotz

Is the bag supposed to swing much? If it is, at what stage of the swing are you supposed to hit it? If it isn't, how do you make it not swing?
It's not supposed to swing much, but it will swing a bit. You're supposed to meet the swing to reduce its momentum. You make it not swing too much by not pushing it with your punches - most beginners try to make their punches more "powerful" by displacing the bag more than it should be displaced. Try to move the bag by a very short amount, like 1.5-2 inches, then retract.

How much is each foot supposed to move during the jab or cross?
--Jab: Left foot moves a couple of inches forward in a short fast stepping motion. You keep your bodyweight on the right foot and transfer *some* of it onto the left foot, so that your weight is equally distributed when punch lands
Cross: Same, but you pivot on the ball of the right foot and throw *most* of the bodyweight onto the left foot, so that you're standing mostly on the left foot when punch lands (but you still have to be balanced)

Should the hand hit the bag when the arm is fully extended?
--Yes. You should keep the wrists relaxed until a split second before you hit the bag also.

Should the glove be facing the ground when it hits, or perpendicular to the ground?
--Learn to do it perpendicular first. Focus on squeezing the wrist hard when you hit

What does a good stance look like?
--Too long to explain. But basically keep your hands up, chin tucked; balanced on your feet.

How do you prevent your hands and wrists from getting hurt? Is it just a matter of wrapping them properly?
--It's a matter of feeling the distances better and not pushing the bag with your punches.

Is your body supposed to face the bag at the end of a cross?
--Yes, you look where you punch

Should your head, shoulder, and fist be lined up at the end of a jab?
Your delt will bump your cheeckbone lightly

That's it for now. I'll probably think of more as I keep up the hitting.
--Try to punch at your own chin level - it's probably higher than you think

3 characters

[andrewbc]

try to keep your elbows in and hands at temple level

when throwing your jab step forward as though you are trying to crush a bug that is about a foot away with your lead foot and throw your jab strait.

when throwing your cross imagine you body is on an axis. there a three pivot points : your rear leg, your hips, and your shoulders. twist your body on the axis and extend your right hand

jab and cross your fists should be parallel to the ground on impact. i throw hooks with my fists perp to the ground.

wrap your hands and use bag gloves

[mackz]

Originally Posted by Klotz

I tried hitting the heavy bag for the first time today. I'm pretty much the most physically awkward person ever, so it probably looked like a retard trying to shave, but I have some questions just to help me get on the right track. I did "jabs" and "crosses" today. I read some sticky links but I'm not even at that level yet.

Are there any websites that show how to do the basic punches, like frame by frame, showing how the feet, hips, hands move at each stage?

Is the bag supposed to swing much? If it is, at what stage of the swing are you supposed to hit it? If it isn't, how do you make it not swing?

How much is each foot supposed to move during the jab or cross?

Should the hand hit the bag when the arm is fully extended?

Should the glove be facing the ground when it hits, or perpendicular to the ground?

What does a good stance look like?

How do you prevent your hands and wrists from getting hurt? Is it just a matter of wrapping them properly?

Is your body supposed to face the bag at the end of a cross?

Should your head, shoulder, and fist be lined up at the end of a jab?

That's it for now. I'll probably think of more as I keep up the hitting.

Get a membership at a boxing gym. Make sure the instructor knows his stuff. When hitting the bag, don't just hit it recklessly..practice form & technique always

[Evilness]

As stated above, you should goto a boxing gym, even if you got all the answers here, you'd probably use the wrong techniques anyway.

[Mef-ninja]

just going out.. throwing punches at a heavy bag.. will never make you a good fighter.. chances are it will make ytou a worse fighter.. cause you'll get cocky and lose fights

[Tristan Riley]

Originally Posted by Mef-ninja

just going out.. throwing punches at a heavy bag.. will never make you a good fighter.. chances are it will make ytou a worse fighter.. cause you'll get cocky and lose fights

It won't make you a worse fighter than someone who does nothing. That doesn't even make sense.

Thread starter go to a gym. even if you just want to get technique down and don't plan on fighting. They'll teach you more than you can learn here. Plus, fighters are good people.

[legshot420]

What will take you days or weeks to learn properly here you can learn in minutes in a real boxing gym.

[Chaem Muay Thai]

often if the bag seems like it's swinging too much it's because you're pushing it with you first and not so much striking it

[Jubacat]

Klotz,

You can check out this thread:

The Instructional Video Thread

For the rest of your questions I would find someone who knows boxing to show you.