How To New Member looking for instruction in NYC

[PB22]

I was just introduced to the speed bag at a local gym and love it, but have no real idea how to improve beyond simple technique. Is there a qualified instructor in NY City (preferably Brooklyn) who can help me improve? I am glad to pay them for their time and expertise.

[Niki Knuckles]

Can you make it to Buffalo?

[SpeedBagAtaraxis]

I live about 2 hours upstate from Brooklyn and am probably making my way down to Gleasons Gym in Brooklyn sometime this week if you're interested in meeting up. You can PM me or just message back on here!

[MsDeville]

Welcome to the addiction

Hey PB22, if you are able to hook up with Matthew (Speed Bag Ataraxis), you will be getting instruction from one of the best baggers out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3jdLXF18c

Another very accomplished bagger is JUXT (Justin). He lives in Middletown, NY. But, it looks like it's an hour and a half out of Brooklyn. Well worth the drive, though.

JUXT is simply amazing on the bag — here he is at Speed Bag II in 2011 doing his thing on the horizontal board. I love his unique style of bagging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPWLdBDod5I

If you can make it down to Keyport, New Jersey on July 11, 12, or 13, you will find a plethora of expert speed baggers who are ready and willing to pass their knowledge on to fellow addicts.

[Speedbag]

You might check out the amazing, blazing Matthew Santiago performing at the Rock Steady boxing event July 13th at Gleason's Gym. One of the best baggers on planet earth, as well as a great instructor.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/knockout-parkinsons-every-punch-counts-tickets-9441360363?aff=efbevent

He recently taught me a couple of new combinations, proving that he can teach and old dog new tricks.

[paranday]

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/knockout-parkinsons-every-punch-counts-tickets-9441360363?aff=efbevent

Wow, thank you for this Matthew !

[PB22]

Unfortunately I have no plans to be in Buffalo anytime soon.

[PB22]

Very much appreciate all the helpful replies to my post. Will try to connect with Mathew if at all possible.

[MsDeville]

You might check out the amazing, blazing Matthew Santiago performing at the Rock Steady boxing event July 13th at Gleason's Gym. One of the best baggers on planet earth, as well as a great instructor.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/knockout-parkinsons-every-punch-counts-tickets-9441360363?aff=efbevent

He recently taught me a couple of new combinations, proving that he can teach and old dog new tricks.

Very cool!

I just looked at the address for this event in Brooklyn:

Gleason's Gym
77 Front St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Funny/weird coincidence. Real Gymm in Keyport, NJ is also on Front St.

Their event is the same weekend as SB V.

[Mainbeam]

WOW! The dude with the cap on has some serious moves! How do I get to that advanced level?? Can it be done by observing video or do you need one to one tuition? That video is very inspiring! Thanks folks.

[Speedbag]

Very cool!

I just looked at the address for this event in Brooklyn:

Gleason's Gym
77 Front St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Funny/weird coincidence. Real Gymm in Keyport, NJ is also on Front St.

Their event is the same weekend as SB V.

Had I known these would be at the same time (a month and a half ago) I would have extended my stay in NYC area and gone to the event at Gleason's to support their efforts to help Rock Steady. I'd have to pay a large "change RSVP" fee on the plane ticket and almost triple the plane fare cost now. Rats.

Matthew will Rock the House with his PunchDrumming presentation. Hope we get to see a video.

[Speedbag]

WOW! The dude with the cap on has some serious moves! How do I get to that advanced level?? Can it be done by observing video or do you need one to one tuition? That video is very inspiring! Thanks folks.

That dude in the cap is one of the single best, most skilled baggers on the planet and he got to that level the same way you can.
(1) understanding the moves that you see in their most basic form (IE...learn the techniques and the difference between techniques and combinations), and (2) practice them with a purpose, hopefully with a realistic and graduated sequence of the simple to the more complex. If you're truly dedicated, you might even learn to write down speed bag combinations so you can remember them under the board or having to review the video over and over, and then you can also write down any new things that you discover.

That would be the easiest way, but not the only way. Of course you can just go and try mimic his movements.

The more you understand the actual mechanics of the bag, ie... Speed Bag sounds and rules of rhythm, Hitting the bag, and some of the advanced aspects of linking, at least in theory, the faster you will progress.

Understanding the theory of how it all works helps give more focus to your practicing and skills progression. I call it practicing with a purpose. Thousands of people punch the speed bag weekly for years and years and never really get any better because they don't know how. Simply practicing with a purpose can really change all that.

Of course, that is all just in my opinion. In real life there are other ways to do it. for instance, many people want to learn the guitar, so they take lessons, learn music theory, learn to read and write music, learn the mechanics of the instrument, (guitar), the frets, body styles etc., learn chord theory and the specifics of chord and music progressions, learn to run scales etc. and over time become an accomplished musician. Then there are others who just pick up a guitar and start playing by emulating someone else. The learn to play some chords, maybe a few favorite lead picks and over time become really good at it until they are an accomplished musician. On stage you might not tell the difference. They both play like guitar masters.

Which way you chose is up to you, however, if you really want to hit the speed bag like that amazing guy in the hat, you might want to know a little about what he knows of the speed bag that's inside his head. I can attest to the fact that he knows a lot about speed bag mechanics.