Striking Fundamentals: Bag & Pad Work
Build a fighter's foundation. Join our Hosa Road and HSR sessions to master the technique, power, and rhythm of boxing and Dutch-style kickboxing.
A powerful kick starts from the ground up. This is a flying kick on the wrecking ball, a great drill for developing explosive power and coordination.
Hi, this is Babu. In this clip, we work on a classic kickboxing combo: the jab, cross, and roundhouse kick. I show how to execute it with and without a check, making it a versatile tool for offense.
Sparring drills are key to improving timing and distance. Here, I'm practicing a side kick counter during a striking round at the Ippon Institute, focusing on maintaining form under pressure.
Pad work is one of the best ways to sharpen your strikes. This is a typical partner drill where we focus on accuracy, power, and reaction time.
The day starts with the grind. This is a 6:30 AM boxing session, using resistance bands to improve punching power and shoulder endurance.
Shadowboxing is where you perfect your movement. I’m working on footwork, head movement, and punch combinations, visualizing an opponent.
Getting the reps in with some kickboxing shadow boxing. Notice the shin guards, we always train with the right gear to practice safely and effectively.
A quick look at a kickboxing session, focusing on heavy bag work. This is great for cardio and building power in your kicks and punches.
Footwork is just as important as punching. Here, I'm using cones to drill movement patterns while practicing strikes on the speed bag.
Using a resistance band during heavy bag training adds another layer of difficulty. It forces you to drive through your punches and builds explosive strength.
About Striking Fundamentals: Bag & Pad Work
We don't just hit bags here; we train to fight. Whether it's shadow boxing, speed bag drills, or Dutch-style kickboxing combos, our sessions prioritize your footwork and defensive mechanics above all else. Expect a technical warm-up followed by structured partner pad work to ensure your form is sharp before we add intensity.
Beyond the Workout
At Sai MMA Academy, we treat striking as a skill, not just cardio. We focus on Dutch-style combinations—known for high-volume, flowing strikes. You will spend plenty of time on shadow boxing to lock in your footwork and head movement before you even touch a bag. This is about building muscle memory that holds up when you're tired.
Our Gear & Setup
We make sure you train right. In our Hosa Road open-air shed, we use unique setups like our DIY tire stations—built for durability and angled shot practice—and heavy wrecking balls for power work. Our HSR Layout sessions at Ippon Institute offer a professional indoor studio environment with full equipment access.
Who is this for?
These sessions are built for everyone. If you are a beginner, we start with the basics of a jab-cross-roundhouse combo and proper blocking mechanics. If you are an experienced fighter, we use these rounds to test your reaction time, conditioning, and distance management. Everything is supervised, and we keep all sparring technical, not reckless.
The Routine
Expect 60 to 75 minute sessions covering:
- Footwork and Agility: Drills using cones and ladders.
- Technique Drills: Focused pad work for accuracy and speed.
- Conditioning: Heavy bag and circuit training to build endurance.
We are here to help you build a foundation that lasts. Whether you want self-defense skills or just to get strong, the work starts on the mat. Avvalothan.
Jagapathi Babu
I'm Babu. Mechanical engineer by degree, fighter by nature. I don't believe in hacks—just sweat, discipline, and doing the reps until your technique becomes instinct. Whether you’re training in our open-air Hosa Road shed or the HSR studio, we are here to push you to be stronger.
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