21 Combinations of the Speedbag DVD - Review

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 14:09:11 -0400

Price: $24.95
(includes S&H)

NTSC (US) Format Only

running time: approx 69 minutes

Did you know there are 21 different combinations you can do on a speedbag? In all reality, there are probably a lot more, but 21 is definitely a good start. This instructional video is nothing short of a miracle for anyone trying to figure out how to hit that little ball and make it look like you actually know what you're doing.

The speedbag is an elusive little ball that is completely unforgiving. Either you have the technique or you don't, there really is no inbetween. And that's really too bad, because that rapid little thump, thump, thump looks and sounds awesome. It's kind of therapeutic. Every major Hollywood boxing movie has some scene where the champ is training on it (Rocky, Million Dollar Baby, etc...). When someone is hitting it with the proper technique, one doesn't really see it being hit at all - it just moves really damn fast.

And that's where the problem lies. It requires technique. Far too often the aspiring boxer ends up frustrated with their new wall ornament because no one can actually teach them how to hit the speedbag. I've been to enough gyms where the coaches put you in front of that hanging little menace for 3 minutes and say "Hit it." "Great", you think to yourself and proceed to flail away hoping someone will take pity on you and share a bit of its secret with you. I know this, I was there, and Steve, wherever you are, I am forever grateful for the time you took to show me that one pattern.

Let me save you from that experience and introduce you to Sifu Herb Patus, a 7th degree black belt and the world's highest-ranking martial artist to offer an instructional speed bag DVD to the public. I know what you're thinking, "what does a martial artist have to do with boxing?"

I was thinking the same thing and it wasn't until I reviewed his video that I felt comfortable endorsing it even though I've known about it for quite some time, and had seen the same sample speedbag video that is present on this page. Let me explain.

Herb (far right) and Ali

Herb started his martial arts training in 1973 and has continued ever since. He has taught, fought, and trained intensely for longer than many of you have been alive. Still, you're wondering, as was I, how boxing fit into his Kenpo training. Well, for two of those years, he was roommates with Tom Cook, an ex-professional boxer. Those were not just two years of casual acquantaince. They trained together daily and Tom was able to instill the usefulness of boxing in martial arts, especially when you are up close and personal with your opponent. Speed bag training was a major part of that and it is reflected in this video.

This instructional video is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to hit the speedbag AND train on the speedbag. Not only will you be shown precisely how to make it go a million beats a minute (I exaggerate a little...), but you will also learn the fundamentals and building blocks that will let you actually use it as a training tool -- that will make you better in the ring. It's one thing to look good and quite another thing to be good.

Honestly, when Herb sent me one to review, it took awhile to show up which was really the fault of the Canadian Post Office and nothing to do with Herb. Throughout the ordeal he was incredibly patient and helpful. That in itself is a selling point. When it did arrive at my doorstep, I opened the package and immediately thought the video looked a little amateurish. The cover shows a not so clear picture taken from the video and I secretly hoped the footage itself wasn't going to be as grainy. I suddently had visions of the DVD looking like the sample video running on Google, even though Herb had assured me prior that the DVD video is much better.

Long story short, don't judge a book by it's cover. The video quality, while not Hollywood, is more than adequate to teach you what you need to know. There are a couple of little things that bugged me. First, the opening intro took awhile to get to the point of the video. It took me a few moments to figure out exactly what it was introducing. Initially I thought maybe Herb had sent me the wrong DVD, but after a few minutes all became clear. Second was the bamboo background used throughout the video -- just seemed strange and I'll leave it at that. Both of these are small gripes in what I rate as an excellent training video.

Now that I'm done picking away at things that mean absolutely nothing in terms of the instructional value of this video, I'll tell you what you will get. There are 21 combinations to work away at and learn. The video is narrated and covers each combination in depth, sometimes going into slow motion so one can see exactly what is going on. Subsequent combinations tend to build on initial ones and when required they review earlier taught techniques. Approximately half of the combinations use both punches and elbow strikes. While elbow strikes are not exactly required in boxing, it goes to show what one could do with them in an inside battle.

Personally, I think Herb Patus has put together a very useful video. Anyone wanting to develop any skills at all on the speedbag should have it in their collection. It is well worth the money. He passed on more information in 70 minutes than I received in a year at a gym. Oh, and if you are interested in nunchukas, Herb has a video for them too.