Hitting into a Boxing Punching Bag: Good or Bad?

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Aug 2, 2011
129
16
My daughter's 10U team has a station during hitting practice where the girls stand in front of a big boxing punching bag and swing into it. The bag is right about where contact would be so hitting the bag stops the girls' swing abruptly at that point. This seems like a bad drill to me. Shouldn't the girls be working on feeling like they are hitting "through the ball" and extending instead of having their swings stopped at contact?
 
Jan 13, 2012
693
0
My daughter's 10U team has a station during hitting practice where the girls stand in front of a big boxing punching bag and swing into it. The bag is right about where contact would be so hitting the bag stops the girls' swing abruptly at that point. This seems like a bad drill to me. Shouldn't the girls be working on feeling like they are hitting "through the ball" and extending instead of having their swings stopped at contact?

Hitting through the ball is a myth. The bat is in contact with the ball for 1/2000th of a second.
 
Aug 2, 2011
129
16
Technically, I am sure it is, but I think it could be helpful to have the hitter strive for the feeling of hitting through it and thus extending fully. I never understood the phrase "hitting through the ball" as implying the ball being in contact with the bat for a longer period. That irrelevant bit aside, what is the purpose of hitting into a boxing punching bag?
 
Oct 10, 2011
1,572
38
Pacific Northwest
Technically, I am sure it is, but I think it could be helpful to have the hitter strive for the feeling of hitting through it and thus extending fully. I never understood the phrase "hitting through the ball" as implying the ball being in contact with the bat for a longer period. That irrelevant bit aside, what is the purpose of hitting into a boxing punching bag?



Where do I start?
Its my favorite drill. Like any tool, it must be used correctly.

I use the bag station for the section of the swing, sat into coil, to contact.

I use it to teach a good pivot point, and to not extend their hands, not to PUSH to contact, but Turn the barrel into the bag.
I have it marked, into zones, high middle and low, and they learn some tilt at the bag.

They learn a good contact position.

manns bag drill photo site.

bagdrill - mann

How I use it for curing bat drag issues, with before and after pics.

and I will post the video of why I do not use it for long, as once they get the hang of staying connected, inside and outside training becomes a snap.
and its tee and front toss from there.

When contact is made with the bag, the bat already is going full speed, and it is hit with a firm but not tight grip.

I can stand at the bag, and call zones that are marked on the bag, as they swing, and they turn and adjust at the same time.

Its like fishing, whatever lure is your favorite, it will work for you, but maybe not for everybody.

The girls love the bag, and the connection devise.

By the way, teaching extension and hitting through the ball... This girl has only swung the bat 3 sessions in her life. in this clip This is the only time I have taught her the finish, after the bag for 10

minutes, Just before I taped this.


kaylaweekadgif-S.gif


she hits right through that ball. ah, the freedom of no bag in the way.
 
Last edited:
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
The bag is a DRILL...
Drills are designed to isolate a specific portion of whatever. In this instance, its about the hands and arms into contact. Work hard on turning the barrel smoothly into a sharp and violent snap. The resistance of the bag will train the muscles to be powerful at contact.
As with any DRILL its and exaggeration and is meant to be performed in moderation.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Limited to how many cuts? I could see some sore wrists with too many swings.

Someone could get sore from just about anything if they did it too much. I don't see much danger.

That said, when I've used a bag w/ DD, I have her use a plastic bat.

To the OP, using a stationary bag has been one of the best tools/drills I've used for improving my DD's swing. Most developing young hitters do not have good point of contact, or a good understanding of it.
 
Jan 15, 2009
689
18
Midwest
As a drill used once in a great while, to have players get the feel of driving throught, no problem. But as a daily or weekly drill with lots of reps is NOT a good idea for players 14U and younger.

It puts too much stress on the wrist and shoulders of children. I wish I could find the link to the study that talks about this.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
As a drill used once in a great while, to have players get the feel of driving throught, no problem. But as a daily or weekly drill with lots of reps is NOT a good idea for players 14U and younger.

It puts too much stress on the wrist and shoulders of children. I wish I could find the link to the study that talks about this.

Plastic bat, IMO.

Also, the purpose is not to teach the feel of driving through. It's to teach the feel of ideal point of contact.
 

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