The speedbag has always been the most technically baffling devices for boxing for me. I could never figure out how to hit the bag, the timing, and how to control it. But after reading this book, I have alot more confidence in my speedbag training. Alan definitely breaks down the do's and dont's to speedbag training right down from equipment to proper punching technique. He gives little tips on the advantages/disadvantes of wall speedbag platforms and freestanding platforms, s-hook/chain link swivels, speedbag covers, etc. He also deals quite a bit on proper safety and common injuries associated with speed bag training. Definitely answers alot of questions for those wanting to buy their first speedbag set. In his techniques section, he goes over all the basic punch/elbow combinations, their rhythms, and how to flow from one technique to the next. Let me tell you, the first four chapters deal mostly with basics but the later chapters are filled with different punch combinations that everyone from beginner to advanced people will be challenged. And he really does create an interesting technique of blending music like reading to his speedbag sets. At first it might seem daunting, but if you really do spend time in his techniques section, which he recommends, you'll be able to read and follow his routines like second nature. Near the end of his book, he'll also include some applications for the martial artist as well as setups on different workout devices like a stationary bike to include speedbag training. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it as a must buy for the basic boxing fan to the regular fitness enthusiast.
Alan Kahn was a drummer, as in musician, and he has figured out a way to write speed-bag-hitting techniques in something akin to musical notation -but infinitely simpler! For example, FCP means "front circle punch." And he lays out the combinations with easy to follow notations like FCP, FSP....and takes the speed bag out of boxing-only applications and puts it into the realm of rhythm eye-hand coordination mastery. And by implication makes it relevant to everything from swinging a golf club to hitting a tennis ball. No, he does not mention these things per se, but the implication is that master the mind and the rhythm and relax and you'll learn the secret of excelling at sports because all sports are played in the head. And working out with the bag is simply great fun. One of the best how-to books I've ever used.
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I read the book and bought the video, the video is very effective at demonstrating the various techniques, but I couldn't take the video to the gym, so I used the book at the gym and studied the video at home. I recommend the video
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I bought the book and the DVD and I am thoroughly impressed with the level of detail Alan goes to in both. Anyone who has seen a demo of Alan hitting the speed bag knows he is exceptional at this skill, but what became clear to me after reading the book and watching the DVD is that he is equally skilled at teaching novices how to master the techniques and nuances of the speed bag.
I would recommend that you buy both book and DVD, as they support one another quite effectively. Watching the DVD took the mystery out of several techniques that I had been struggling with for a long time. I can honestly say that after watching the DVD once, my skill level at a couple of the more difficult techniques improved greatly.
One of the best benefits of buying this training course is that you can ask Alan questions on a forum he set up specifically for speed bag enthusiasts;
speedbagforum.com
Alan and others will answer all of your questions and I learned a lot simply by reading the older threads that contained many of the same questions or discussed some of the same problems I was having.
I think the combination of the book, DVD and the coaching you can get on the forum is superb and I commend all three to anyone who desires to become a highly skilled user of the speed bag.
Semper Fi,
Mike
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Now this is the way that any book proclaiming to the "Bible" on any subject should be written. This book is literally the definitive book to have concerning the subject of the speed bag.
I initially picked up this book a bit reluctantly simply because of the title. However, I relented and picked it up, and I am sure glad that I did. This book is simply the best book I have ever seen on the use of the speed bag. It is very well written and the layout for this book is superb. The only small drawback was the photographs, which were a bit blurry and quite dark for the most part, but don't let this small factor even enter into your decision to buy this book. The unique "code" (for lack of a better term) that the author uses to relay the striking sequences on the speed bag is very well done, and like a previous reviewer mentioned, it is like a series of musical notes, only easier to read and understand.
The author even included a small section on how to use kicks on the speed bag, and as an individual who likes kicking, I found this to be an added bonus.
If you are looking to improve your skills on the speed bag, then this is the book that you need to own. I can not recommend this book highly enough!
I would also highly recommend that you pick up this book as well.
Championship Fighting Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense
Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Creator of numerous books and DVD's.
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This book is a very good motivator, giving positive insight for all of our excuses, behavioral modification, and nutritional encouragement.
