Stuck

[Jewellz]

I continuously practice, read and watch videos…but with no improvement beyond the basic level I’m at now. I’m just not sure if I’m doing something wrong, if I just suck at this, or if it’s normal to advance this slowly. I did have to take a short break from practicing when the cold weather hit, my little arthritic fingers wouldn’t cooperate…but it still seems like I should at least be able to do an elbow strike by now. I have a great deal of patience, & I’m always willing to work hard to achieve my goals. If continuing what I’m doing is what I need to do, so be it, I’m definitely up to the challenge. However, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[toolboxdiver]

I continuously practice, read and watch videos…but with no improvement beyond the basic level I’m at now. I’m just not sure if I’m doing something wrong, if I just suck at this, or if it’s normal to advance this slowly. I did have to take a short break from practicing when the cold weather hit, my little arthritic fingers wouldn’t cooperate…but it still seems like I should at least be able to do an elbow strike by now. I have a great deal of patience, & I’m always willing to work hard to achieve my goals. If continuing what I’m doing is what I need to do, so be it, I’m definitely up to the challenge. However, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jewells, don't get disappointed everyone advances at different paces try a larger bag and slow down till you get the hang of it. Hang in there and it will all come together

[jumpcannon]

i feel your frusturations. it took me forever just to figure out how to single fist link. i slowed down and everytime i missed hit i tried to figure out why. then i would land a new technique by accident then get all excited...lol....if i can do it by accident, i can figure out in time how to do it on purpose.

[Tim]

I continuously practice, read and watch videos…but with no improvement beyond the basic level I’m at now.

As the others have said, don't give up hope too soon. I've been punching "Bible Style" since 2003 . That would be 7 years ago!!! As recently as 2007 I couldn't even do side punches...

I’m just not sure if I’m doing something wrong, if I just suck at this, or if it’s normal to advance this slowly. I did have to take a short break from practicing when the cold weather hit, my little arthritic fingers wouldn’t cooperate…

Cold weather is hard on the hands, not just the skin either. I think the ligaments and tendons, etc are less elastic in the cold. Wear gloves! or punch in doors. When the temp drops below 60F or so, it's definitely harder to punch.

but it still seems like I should at least be able to do an elbow strike by now. I have a great deal of patience, & I’m always willing to work hard to achieve my goals. If continuing what I’m doing is what I need to do, so be it, I’m definitely up to the challenge. However, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

For me, learning new strikes of any kind requires repetition - thousands of repetitions. When I want to learn something new, I go to the platform and that technique or combination will be all I will do for 75% of the time I'm out there. I do that almost every day for 2 or 3 weeks. At that point I can usually do it, slowly and probably successfully only about 75% of the time. Then I move on, learn something different, but I work in the previously learned technique or combination several times per workout. Over time, I find I can do it at full speed, without even thinking about it, and after a while longer I can usually transition to it seamlessly along with everything else.

ALSO - Once I started posting videos my rate of improvement accelerated greatly. The feedback from other people was invaluable. I encourage you to post videos if you can. We can help you become better!

[metaldad]

Just don't give up. Patience, practice and if you have to, step away from bagging, regroup and try again. Sometimes a step back is just the ticket to keep you from burning yourself out. Try wrapping your your hands or using gloves like Tim suggested. Again, DON'T GIVE UP!

[Jewellz]

As the others have said, don't give up hope too soon. I've been punching "Bible Style" since 2003 . That would be 7 years ago!!! As recently as 2007 I couldn't even do side punches...



Cold weather is hard on the hands, not just the skin either. I think the ligaments and tendons, etc are less elastic in the cold. Wear gloves! or punch in doors. When the temp drops below 60F or so, it's definitely harder to punch.




For me, learning new strikes of any kind requires repetition - thousands of repetitions. When I want to learn something new, I go to the platform and that technique or combination will be all I will do for 75% of the time I'm out there. I do that almost every day for 2 or 3 weeks. At that point I can usually do it, slowly and probably successfully only about 75% of the time. Then I move on, learn something different, but I work in the previously learned technique or combination several times per workout. Over time, I find I can do it at full speed, without even thinking about it, and after a while longer I can usually transition to it seamlessly along with everything else.

ALSO - Once I started posting videos my rate of improvement accelerated greatly. The feedback from other people was invaluable. I encourage you to post videos if you can. We can help you become better!

Thank you so much Tim. I’m feeling a lot less frustrated now. One thing is for sure, I will never give up, no matter how long it takes me to improve. Repetition…no problem. I’m definitely going to find a warmer place to punch. Arthritis may cause me to take breaks now & then, but it will never keep me away for long. I’m still working on posting the one video I have. For some reason, I am still unable to upload videos from my phone. I’m a bit camera shy to begin with, but I’m also persistent, so I’m sure I’ll get the guts to make another one with my cam soon & get it posted.

[Jewellz]

Just don't give up. Patience, practice and if you have to, step away from bagging, regroup and try again. Sometimes a step back is just the ticket to keep you from burning yourself out. Try wrapping your your hands or using gloves like Tim suggested. Again, DON'T GIVE UP!

Thank you metaldad. You rock. I’ll never give up, not my style

[Jewellz]

Many thanks to toolboxdiver & jumpcannon…words of encouragement are ALWAYS greatly appreciated! : ) : )

[jojojunfan]

I have been having some issues myself. I just stepped away for a few days, worked on some other things and when i came back something just clicked. I was so worried that i was not going to progress fast enough that i was hindering myself from progressing! Thats just me, i go through a certain process learning anything new. Its like the man said, " all knowledge is ultimately, self knowledge.". Everyone is very supportive here, i am sure if you just have fun with it, whatever needs to happen will happen. I look forward to seeing your video, i need to learn to do that myself. Have a good one and keep baggin!

[MsDeville]

I have been having some issues myself. I just stepped away for a few days, worked on some other things and when i came back something just clicked...

Yes, jojo, you're right on. When I was first starting, and I would have trouble with a punch, I'd get frustrated and just stop. After a day or two, I would try it, and voilà! I could magically do it!

Don't give up, Jewellz. It will all start to come together eventually. But, as toolboxdiver suggests, try a larger bag – if you're practicing on a small hard bag, you might not have the muscles to make it do what it should. A larger bag with a good "bounce" really helps. (If you can get a large red Everlast bag rather than say, the little black and yellow bag, you might see a difference in your punching.) Also, I started out on a U-bolt swivel. It's a good swivel to start out on, because it helps your bag from bouncing every which-way...

Or, it could simply be your platform is preventing you from progressing. One needs a good rigid board – it helps the bag to rebound more easily. (Do you have a bag of sand or even a big bag of dog food on top?)

One more thing. And it's something that "Trainer Raul" drilled in to me. Remember to KEEP YOUR ELBOWS UP when punching.

We're all anxious to see a video from you! This way, the seasoned baggers can help figure out what you might be doing wrong. Keep at it, you'll get there.

[Biff]

Hey Jewellz, as others have said, hang in there, things will come together. Everyone has valleys when learning new techniques and combos.

You sound like a real fighter (no pun intended). I'm sure you'll overcome this small standstill.

But do post up a vid. You will receive great constructive feedback. We're all rooting for you.

[StevieMac]

If you keep at it you can only get better. Your persistence will eventually be rewarded. Bag on!

[Jewellz]

Yes, jojo, you're right on. When I was first starting, and I would have trouble with a punch, I'd get frustrated and just stop. After a day or two, I would try it, and voilà! I could magically do it!

Don't give up, Jewellz. It will all start to come together eventually. But, as toolboxdiver suggests, try a larger bag – if you're practicing on a small hard bag, you might not have the muscles to make it do what it should. A larger bag with a good "bounce" really helps. (If you can get a large red Everlast bag rather than say, the little black and yellow bag, you might see a difference in your punching.) Also, I started out on a U-bolt swivel. It's a good swivel to start out on, because it helps your bag from bouncing every which-way...

Or, it could simply be your platform is preventing you from progressing. One needs a good rigid board – it helps the bag to rebound more easily. (Do you have a bag of sand or even a big bag of dog food on top?)

One more thing. And it's something that "Trainer Raul" drilled in to me. Remember to KEEP YOUR ELBOWS UP when punching.

We're all anxious to see a video from you! This way, the seasoned baggers can help figure out what you might be doing wrong. Keep at it, you'll get there.

Thank you so much MsDeville!
I have a bag of sand on top of my platform, but I definitely need a U-bolt swivel, and I constantly have to remind myself to keep my elbows up.

Purchasing a bag was somewhat of a challenge, I was just going by what I read. The sales associates I spoke to were only concerned with making a sale, & made it very clear that they don’t take me seriously. If only I had a penny for every eye roll lol. I’ve used a few bags so far, & underestimated my own strength at first (I didn’t think my little arms were that strong lol), but I finally found the one I feel most comfortable with. Now that I have my bag of choice, I do all of my shopping online, so your equipment suggestions are better than any product reviews out there...& your support and encouragement is invaluable

[Jewellz]

I have been having some issues myself. I just stepped away for a few days, worked on some other things and when i came back something just clicked. I was so worried that i was not going to progress fast enough that i was hindering myself from progressing! Thats just me, i go through a certain process learning anything new. Its like the man said, " all knowledge is ultimately, self knowledge.". Everyone is very supportive here, i am sure if you just have fun with it, whatever needs to happen will happen. I look forward to seeing your video, i need to learn to do that myself. Have a good one and keep baggin!

Thanks jojo!
You're awesome!

[Jewellz]

You are all SO awesome, every single one of you!
Thank you so much for all of your support, suggestions and encouragement. You are all incredibly helpful & I appreciate it so very much.
You all rock! The best of the best!

Dynamite comes in small packages ; )
I predict a Jewellz video in the very near future