Training Tip #2 – How to put together a striking post
One of the best ways to practice your strikes and striking patterns is to actually HIT something. When you train with live partners (safely, with safety gear), then you gain some great understanding of strike effectiveness, proper angles, and honesty about what works and what doesn’t. However, proper repetition is a key, and you may not always have a live training partner to practice with.
Our strong recommendation is to put together a Striking Post in your back yard, or garage or training area/training hall, etc. to practice your strikes on. This does not cost very much at all to put together if you are creative and resourceful.
Materials:
– 4 x 4 x 6 post (pressure treated preferably if you are going to put it outside)
– Old tires, cut into sections (refer to the photos, not specific, cut to preference)
– Screws/Washers to attach cut tire sections to the post
– Screw driver
You will need to cut the tires into sections and then attach the sections to the post with the screws/washers.
The positioning of the tire sections should mimic where an opponent’s head would be, as well as on the sides/ribs, center chest, then down around the equivalent of the knees. These will allow you to practice the vast majority of the striking angles and targets.
The tires are kind of indestructible, so feel free to beat the shit out of them. 🙂 Please be sure to position the tires so you are not striking the post itself, that could damage your shillelagh!
Option 1 – Outdoor:
If you want to put this in your backyard, then you can purchase a ground stake that the 4 x 4 post can bolt into. Home Depot sells these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/LTL-Home-Products-Groundmaster-30-in-Gray-Post-GM-30/100039044
If you want to move it around from place to place, or put it on a patio, deck etc, then you can use some 2 x 4’s and put “legs” on it as an alternative. Again, if outdoors, please be sure to utilize pressure treated lumber.
Option 2 – Indoor:
If you want to put the Striking Post indoors (Garage, or Training Hall, etc.) then you can do this a few ways.
1. Attach 2 x 4 “legs” to the bottom of the post to make it stable
2. Attach to a flat bottom platform (like plywood or some other bottom). This will need to be large enough and heavy enough to keep the post stable and upright when striking. You may add sandbags, rocks, or iron weight plates as options to hold it down.
3. Depending on how creative you are, you could also permanently attach the striking post to an indoor structure.
(If using primarily indoors, then you do not need to use pressure treated lumber. Point in fact, you should NOT use it due to off putting fumes, etc indoors.)
We look forward to seeing you on the mats.