Expert: Alan Kahn - 7/23/2006

Question
hi alan; need your help one more time,have my new ibox platform mounted to block wall, thanks for your info. on mounting to block wall, platform is rock solid. now i need help on which swivel to purchase. i have a new everlast 11x8 bag. this is all new to me and any help will be greatly appreciated. a swivel that will be easy to use,and will offer good service. i know you favor a "s" hook design, for rookies, but i also read that some people say they cause too much friction and cause you to lose control, i need all the help i can get by just starting out. the noise of the ball and hook will not cause a problem. thanking you for your help before and now. i have your video on 24 striking techniques, i have watched it many times, a lot of info. many thanks again.    dave  

Answer
HI Dave.

Sounds like you are on your way to a really good speed bag setup.  

Yes, I do recommend a Ballhook swivel design. Again, it is the only swivel I have ever used (...and I have used just about all of them) that does NOT influence the bag rebound because of swivel design or mechanics.

The only "steel" ballhook swivel in this category available right now (July 2006) that I know of is:

Boxing Gear's® Speed bag Swivel - Triple chrome plated, precision ball Swivel all Steel Construction (NO PLASTIC)

http://www.fitness-equipment.com/acatalog/Fitness_Equipment_Speed_bag_Hanging_Sy...  ( look to the third item down this page..)

My second recommendation would be:
Deluxe Pro Swivel, with a U-bar attachment.

http://store.titleboxing.com/dps-ez.html

Those two swivels would be my recommendations.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'd like to address your comment: "..but i also read that some people say they cause too much friction and cause you to lose control"

I'm not sure who "some people" are but I would question their real knowledge and understanding about speed bag punching and speed bag equipment. First, "Too much friction" is relative. I've seen no science to back that up, and I guarentee a well placed Martial arts roundhouse kick or hook kick will make a bag attached to a ballhook go faster than any punch on any other swivel - regardless of "friction". All swivels have moving parts, and if any of them are well kept, they can all go faster than someone can punch.
Second, I believe "Loss of control" is much more dependent on the users Position, Technique, Movement and Bag contact. Regardless of swivel type, MOST punches send the bag directly where the fist sends it, and any "loss of control" is a punch/contact issue, not an equipment one.
I said MOST, because there are rare occassions when the bag shape (lopsided) and swivel style will effect or alter the Unpunched or swinging rebounds of the bag. Chainlink and U-bar swivel designs can alter a rebound slightly. It is a rare occurerence, but it happens. That is the reason I prefer the ballhook.

Dave, If you get the bag set up properly, (height etc.) and get your arm position, swing movements etc. close to my recommendations in The Speed Bag Bible, than you should make good crisp contact on the bag, and the Ballhook swivel will serve you extremely well. The rebound it gives will be "true" and if you lose control at any time, it is probably due to a problem in your punching - not the swivel.

Good luck and ask a question at any time about your progress.  You might also post some video clips of your progress to "SpeedBagForums.com" http://speedbagforum.com/forums/index.php  in the pictures and videoclip section. Myself and others can review them and offer some "tutoring" advice.  

Thanks for your question and good luck in your training.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible