Having trouble imagining punches when you’re shadowboxing? Do you flinch when a punch comes your way? Learn how to use the slip bag!
The slip bag is an underrated tool at the boxing gym for training head movement and timing.
Keep reading for our tips on how to use the slip bag.
How To Use The Slip Bag
To use the slip bag, follow these steps:
- Set The Slip Bag To The Correct Height
- Use Your Head Movement When The Bag Is Still
- Push The Slip Bag So It Swings Evenly
- Add Footwork With Your Head Movement
- Add Punches With Your Head Movement
Set The Slip Bag To The Correct Height
To start, set the bag to the correct height.
When you’re in a boxing stance and bent at the knees, the bag should be in between your forehead and your line of vision.
Too high and the bag’s movement won’t be realistic. Too low and it will make you bend too much.
Keep the bag in your vision, but look past it and imagine it as your opponent’s punch. As you start changing angles and pivoting on the bag, you’ll look past the bag and keep it in your peripheral vision.
Use Your Head Movement When The Bag Is Still
Next, use your head movement when the bag is still.
Slip to the left and right of the bag, keeping your balance and using little head movement.
Roll under the bag to the left and right, or forwards and backwards.
Lean forward and wrap your head around the bag to draw a circle clockwise or counterclockwise.
What matters is that you understand your head’s position relative to the bag’s position.
If you can get this down when the bag is still, you can transition easily to when the bag is moving.
Push The Slip Bag So It Swings Evenly
Next, push the bag so it swings evenly like a pendulum, with a 45 degree angle each way off the center line.
Don’t push it out of control. It will give you too much time to move, which isn’t realistic.
Now when use your head movements, timing will become an important factor. Your movements have to be calm and collected, not rapid and jerky.
Move too fast or too slow and you’ll get hit with the bag.
Here you can add the pull to watch the bag move past your face, or the duck to make the bag go over your head.
Add Footwork With Your Head Movement
Next, add footwork with your head movement.
Step in as the bag swings away from you, and step back as the bag swings towards you. You can also step to the side.
After a slip, pivot in either direction at any angle; for example, 90 degrees so that you’re watching the bag swing side to side.
As a challenge, pivot 180 degrees so that you’re facing the opposite side of the bag and forced to change your timing!
Add Punches With Your Head Movement
Lastly, add punches with your head movement anytime the bag swings past you.
You only have a small amount of time before the bag swings back. Just like how anytime your opponent punches, there will be a brief window to attack.
If you take too long to attack, you’ll miss your opportunity and your opponent will be ready for defense again.
Start with one punch combined with head movement before and after, like a slip-uppercut-slip.
Once you get comfortable with that, try a 2-punch combo with head movement before and after, like a roll-lead hook–cross-roll.
After the 3rd punch, you’ll only have enough time to dodge the bag. This forces you to move your head after throwing a combination.
Common Mistakes When Using The Slip Bag
Some of the common mistakes that beginners make when using the slip bag include:
- Moving Your Head Too Far Off Center
- Slipping Too Fast With No Rhythm
- Letting The Bag Hit Your Shoulders
Moving Your Head Too Far Off Center
The first mistake beginners make when using the slip bag is moving your head too far off center.
Your slips should be just enough for the bag to miss your ear.
Too far and you won’t be ready to counterattack.
Slipping Too Fast With No Rhythm
Another mistake beginners make when using the slip bag is slipping too fast with no rhythm.
Some beginners start out by trying to imitate Mike Tyson working eight slips at lightning speed.
However, when you’re just starting out, let the bag pace your timing like a metronome.
Letting The Bag Hit Your Shoulders
The last mistake beginners make when using the slip bag is letting the bag hit your shoulders repeatedly.
This means you’re getting lazy in bending your knees and staying in your boxer’s stance.
If you’re imagining the bag as your opponent’s punches, they shouldn’t be touching you at all.
Why Should You Learn To Use The Slip Bag?
Now that you know how to use the slip bag, you can use this tool to level up your head movement.
If you have trouble visualizing punches when you’re shadowboxing or if you fear getting hit by a punch, the slip bag is perfect for you.
Instead of struggling to imagine punches as you move, the bag will be your opponent.
It allows you to work on your flow by incorporating head movement, timing, and spatial awareness.
Most importantly, it teaches you to move your head before and after throwing combinations, no matter which heavy punch you throw.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of the slip bag, add it to your training routine.
Remember to start at the pace of the bag; one or two moves per swing.
Once you internalize the rhythm of the bag, then you can start to mix up your combinations and footwork.
Don’t be discouraged if you get hit by the bag; everyone does!
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