“How can I hit harder?”
This is perhaps one of the most common
questions I am asked after a new student begins training. In Jeet Kune
Do, the lead weapons (attacks thrown from the front arm/leg), are the
primary weapons. Unlike the boxing jab or the kickboxing lead
roundhouse kick which are setup attacks, the JKD frontal attacks are
power strikes designed to deliver stunning or even knockout force. As
simple as these techniques are, cultivation of adequate power can be
challenging. First off, let me elaborate on a few important
distinctions:
1. Force
2. Velocity
3. Power
In
the world of physics , force is equal to mass multiplied by
acceleration. For our purposes, I will simplify force as what causes
our fists or feet to move. One way to increase the amount of striking
force you can generate is just by increasing your strength, which is
accomplished via resistance exercises. There are martial arts specific
strength training methods that will really crank up your functional
strength, but I will touch on these in Part II of this series.
Velocity
is essentially speed and direction, the distance traveled in a specific
amount of time in a specific direction. Increasing your perceived speed
will generally be related to your level of explosiveness (the rapid
acceleration) along with your ability to reduce telegraphic motion.
This is important because although speed is simply moving fast, the
quickness that is perceived by an observer will actually be influenced
by multiple factors including preparation (telegraphing).
Power,
on the other hand, is the amount of work done or energy transferred in
a specific amount of time. For our purposes, power is what determines
the amount of compression our kicks or punches generate on a target. In
terms of real world application, compression is the amount of damage
caused. A high powered punch will deliver high force at high velocity
to compress a target (assuming whatever you are hitting is not more
durable than your hand), while a low power punch applies force at lower
velocity and will simply push it back. Power therefore, is equal to the
force you produce multiplied by the velocity at which your hand or foot
is moving.
These distinctions describe athletic attributes in
applicable terms that can be broken down, observed, trained and
improved. Next I’ll touch on some specific training techniques that
will help you cultivate serious strikes.
Happy training!
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
, and other related topics visit: http://www.nkhuong.com/blog
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