Expert: Alan Kahn - 2/17/2005

Question
Hello!

I love the speed bag, and waiting years to find any training information. I now have both your book and video training programs "The Speed Bag Bible".  Your information has greatly improved my speed bag ability, and It is a tremendously effective system. I must say, your own ability on the bag is unbelievable. Hitting to music, and while riding statinary cycles is amazing!  My question is: Do you think you are the best in the world on the speed bag? Do they have any national or international competitions about that?

Also, Did you get into speed bag from boxing? what made you so interested in it?

Thank you for any response, and for developing the speed bag bible. I hope I get to attend a seminar with you someday.

Bob

Answer
Hello Bob,

Thanks for the positive feedback about "The Speed Bag Bible" comprehensive training program.  I developed it for the precise reason you indicated. There was NO training information available about how it works or how to learn it.  I am very glad that it is helping you improve!

now to your questions:

[Q-1]  Do you think you are the best in the world on the speed bag?
Answer: Well, the WORLD is a BIG place! I have no idea if I am the best, or who would be.  I'm told I hit pretty well, but I have a feeling that some kid in Hoboken would see me hit the bag and say.. "hey, that guys not bad. He's got potential.."

Q-2]  Do they have any national or international competitions about that?
answer: Not to my knowledge. I guess the ability to hit the speed bag hasn't risen high enough into the worlds "competitive conscience" enough to warrant a contest. But it would be interesting. Imagine, "The first national speed bag challenge.."  (Not a bad idea)

[Q-3]  Did you get into speed bag from boxing? what made you so interested in it?

answer: No, I did not get into speed bag directly from boxing, but it may have influenced me. As a young kid, I used to watch boxer's train in the basement of the Seidman center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The late great Buster Mathis, who later fought both Frazier and Ali, was one of them. I remember MR. JOE Skrycki was the programs coach. I used to watch them hit the speed bag, but never tried it at the time. Later, in college, I saw Dr. Roy Schroeder, instructor at Memphis State University. He was a speed bag master, hitting from all sides of the bag with fists and elbows. WOW, I was fascinated by the sight and sound! Particular the sound and rhythms. I was a percussion major in high school, and the "beat of the bag" really hooked me. I bugged him for several years to teach me, which he did. Actually, he was a Boxing Champion in the Marines and taught a boxing class at Memphis State U.

so, I was taught by an ex-marine boxing champion, But me -
in truth - I'm just a frustrated drummer trying to get a workout!

He did teach some of us how to box, and Years later I took up martial arts to the level of black belt.

I hope some day to have a training seminar near you. You could always get some of your friends or local boxing gym to sponsor a seminar and I would welcome the opportunity to come and work with you.

thanks for your contact and I hope I answered you questions.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible