Kuroneko,
I was told to keep the fist loose until just prior to connection, the idea being that this would create less tension in the arm as a whole.

Yep, that would be my recommendation too

______________
I've gone to find myself. If I'm not back before I return, leave me there.

I would think that keeping your fist loose until right before you connect would be dangerous, insomuch that you're likely to miscalculate and end up hurting your hand or wrist.

*sigh*

lol the thread title is called, strangely enough, Handspeed

http://www.bullshido.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3649&FORUM_ID=17&CAT_ID=11&Topi c_Title=Handspeed&Forum_Title=Traditional+Martial+ Arts+Discussion

--
Hard work, Patience, Dedication.

Our sifu improves our hand speed by making us catch bullets.

Ok seriously now. Someone recommended keeping your hands right but arms loose. While this is great in theory, it's exceptionally hard in practice. At my school, we're taught to keep our hand loose, like we were holding a bird inside. This keeps the muscles of the arm looser, especially the biceps which will slow you down the most.

As for drills.... I recommend nothing fancy... just high repetition drills. I used to be slow as a snail, with a lot of power (seems like a common disease around here...) but I started practicing this drill where I do 1000 kicks and 1500 hand techniques (can't really say punches or blocks per se, because in WT they're simultaneous). I just throw them out in the air at medium or slow speed at first, making sure the mechanics are correct. Once the proper mechanics are ingrained, then I start speeding up. Doing this has helped me immensely improve my speed.

High repetition helps for two reasons. The first is that the more repetitions you do, the more natural every movement is for your body. Second is that, the more natural it is, the easier it is for your body and mind to stay relaxed while doing it.

--A poor band player I was, but now I am crocodile king. --

PD, Literacy, its a good thing.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

The topic hasn't been in my "active topics" for awhile so I didn't see it.

<img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dochter -
I've heard vague references to your mystical levels of strength before. :)
So share. How strong are you ?

What sort of numbers do you do in thg gym?
Height/weight/bodyfat%

You're not Matt Hughes are you!? :)

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El Guapo says, ""You can buy muscles, but you can't buy COJONES!"
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I'd hardly say mystical, its just not something I'm worried about cultivating for ma's anymore.

Frankly I'm kind of a fat **** who's in good shape in spite of my diet (cardio and strength wise anyway).

I'm restricted in some of my gym exercises due to back surgery awhile back, and I never go for a 1 rep max anyway. As for my personals, they were posted on 9Chamber's romo thread a month ago. Body fat is probably mid to high teens.

At the peak of my strength the only indicators are that I was starting a chest work out with 4*8-10 at 315lbs on flat bench and usually went to incline dumbbells next, final set (of four) 8-10 reps with 2*110 dumbbells I was actively getting these numbers around a month and a half ago.

For other muscle groups, on back I start my workout with 4*10 pullups, now planning on going to 4*12 or weighted, then proceed to row variations and pulldowns etc. Legs, can't do squats or hack squats and so this is a weak area, usually finish (of 4 sets) with 8-10 reps with 10-12 plates on an incline sled, finish (of 4 sets) leg extensions with the max on the machine. Arms shmarms, no real indicator since apparently everyone else has bad form (finish tri's with 4*20 dips, only high rep thing I do).

For the last 2-3 weeks I've been slacking a bit, my workout partner quit lifting which has killed my motivation.

Of people I lift with this isn't spectacular, with people I train with, I know I don't need much more.

Who is Matt Hughes?

I never mention any of this because I don't feel its particularly relevant, and from what you've said I fully expect you to be stronger<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>.




<img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>

Okay then.
"starting a chest work out with 4*8-10 at 315lbs on flat" Yes, that indicates one strong mofo!. :)

"Who is Matt Hughes?"
Obviously not a UFC fan. Matt Hughes is the UFC Welterweight champion. He is so strong that no one pound-for-pound can really challenge him.

"I never mention any of this because I don't feel its particularly relevant, and from what you've said I fully expect you to be stronger."

Sorry to disappoint, you win by a mile I'm thinking. :)



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El Guapo says, ""You can buy muscles, but you can't buy COJONES!"
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"final set (of four) 8-10 reps with 2*110 dumbbells "

Talk about some nice stabilizers.

heh, i have a friend who does kung-fu, he trains speed by getting bricks thrown at him (yeah, he does have some pads on), and yeah, i know it sounds like BS, but they don't launch it or anything, just kinda throw it. Anyway, their thoery is you'll move fast to block a brick, at least faster than if it was a tennis ball :-)

"I may not agree with what you have to say, but i'll fight you in a no holds barred fight to the death for your right to say it"

Holy crappin' ay Doch! No wonder I can't keylock you from across side.

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - for ever."

BTW, Doch's not fat. He's just insecure.

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - for ever."

When talking about working out I tell people I'm big and fat, when talking about training I tell people I'm petite.

My reasons for doing this are basically because I don't think it is as important as other people seem to, and I think it provides a cop out for others and more of the time for me.

Also I still like cookies and ice cream and am unwilling to give that up for fashion (I think that's from the cover from some chick magazine.)<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

By the way Wastrel can't keylock me because he can't properly focus his ki.

Anyway back to the topic, thanks so far, any other creative or common knowledge drills that have been missed?

<img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>

Okay, back to topic - my 2 cents.

Often when talking about speed in reference to martial arts we are actually talking about explosiveness yeah ?

A good way to develop more speed in your whole body is short distance sprints. Another way is simply doing heavy bag work as fast as possible.

Shadow boxing/kickboxing is another good way to develop explosive strikes.

Do your conditioning exercises (pushups, hindu pushups, hindu squats, reverse pushups, crunches, etc) explosively. Concentrate how fast you can push through the movement.



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El Guapo says, ""You can buy muscles, but you can't buy COJONES!"
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Doc, I aver similar problems whe I am at my winter weight. I could be 210#'s or 240#'s. Being relaxed is the best alternative. There are drills you can do to maximize hand speed but once you reach your peak thats it. Obviously dropping weight will improve overall speed but I do know of an exercise you can practice to help you to fight more relaxed. First, I have been trained that my strike should be completelty relaxed until the point of impact. ( something to keep in mind).

The drill is easy and can actually be fun. You can do this with one or multiple training partners. The first thing you need to do is relax and act as if you are drunk. Let it all hang loose. Basically just walk around and act like a drunk. Once you are relaxed and actig like a drunk. Work of your self-defense drills. By forcing yourself to train as if you were drunk you force yourself to relax. More relaxed improves speed, power and reaction time. It also allows you to flow from technique to technique more efficiently.

Doc,

Yeah, that's the double-ended bag (ours is a filled leather bag, not a ball, but same idea). It moves around a lot, and forces you to focus your punches on a target in motion. I have the most trouble with it (partially because I train without my glasses) and partially because it's just damn hard! LOL!

Everyone has the same idea about keeping a "loose" arm throughout the punch, but you honestly won't know HOW to do it until you hit a bag. I'm getting there now. Actually, I think I've outgrown/ruined the bags at my dojo because I can actually move our long-bag (170lbs I think?) across it's support railings with my hooks. (Oooooohh...ahhhh...ohhhh....) When I first started, my shoulders and elbows weren't aligned properly because I was going all loosey-goosey during my punches and my elbows were all over the place. Take some time on it and you'll figure out the best biomechanics for yourself.

Mitt work and partner sparring are the two things I don't get enough of. Wish I could do more of it, but I don't have reliable people at my dojo yet. I'll pick it up in my MT classes I guess.

You coming to ATL Doc?

Regards,
CrimsonTiger

"Wake me up.
Bid my blood to run.
I can't wake up.
Before I come undone.
Save me.
Save me from the nothing I've become." -Evanescence, Bring Me To Life