Speed (Part 1): The Physical Element
How does one improve his speed in the martial arts? In order to define today’s subject we will examine speed as it applies to striking. For this illustration, we must first start by looking at the components that comprise speed.
Many martial arts practitioners attempt to improve their speed by trying to move the hand or foot faster as they move their limbs from point A to point B. While they’re making a noble effort they have chosen wrong place to start.
From a physical standpoint, we must first learn to seek “economy of motion.” This means you will have to break your task groupings. The first 1st is the initiation, or the beginning; the 2nd is the pathway chosen for the pronating limb, or the middle; and 3rd is the focused impact objective, real or imagined, or the end.
The greatest culprits responsible for robbing speed are a physical loss of balance, usually caused by body or joint misalignment, or a proprioceptive [intuitive] sense of loss. Either will cause the body to overcompensate. This confuses the muscles by over-tensing agonist muscles, the muscles propelling the pronating limb, resulting in the inhibition of the stretch contraction necessary for pronation.
A reflexive chain reaction occurs. The antagonistic muscles, responsible for holding the body’s posture and shape (aka stabilizers), will attempt to force the body into a more balanced position – hence, the loss of speed. The body will inhibit any strength or speed motions in an attempt to create or maintain its sense of balance.
Begin exploring the sequence and timing of the balance change relationships in the initiation phase, the pronating pathway phase, and through the impact and recovery phase. Then troubleshoot the relationships between your foot and knee (hint – go back to this article about the foot), your hips and waist, and your unconscious habits (like throwing your hands out of position). Doing so will help you to form the beginning of your understanding of real SPEED.
In a future article I will discuss the mental changes that increase speed. Until then…
Humility be thy goal,
Grandmaster Forrest G. Blair
