The Theory Of Power

The martial arts beginner may ask, “where does one obtain the power to generate the devastating results attributed to the kick and punch arts?”  This power is attributed to the utilization of an individual’s full potential through certain applications and fighting techniques. The average person only uses 10 to 20 percent of his potential, therefore, anyone, regardless of his age, size or sex, who can condition himself to use 100 percent of his potential, can also perform the same destructive techniques.

Reaction Force

    According to Newton’s third law of motion, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is exemplified by what happens if we step off a boat onto the bank of a lake. As we move in the direction of the shore, the boat ends to move in the opposite direction, leaving us face down in the water, if we aren’t careful. Another example of reaction force is when you execute a punch with your left fist and pull your right fist to your hip.

Breath Control

    Controlled breathing not only affects one’s stamina but can also condition an individual’s body to receive a blow and augment the power of a blow directed against an opponent. For the martial arts beginner, Breath Control is a very important factor in exercising an effective blow to your opponent and relieving yourself of undue fatigue and stamina when sparring. Students should also practice disguised breathing to control any outward signs of fatigue when sparring. An experienced fighter will certainly press and attack when he realizes his opponent is on the point of exhaustion.

Equilibrium

    In any type of athletics, balance is of the utmost importance. In Karate, it deserves special consideration. By keeping the body well balanced, a blow is more effective and deadly. The unbalanced one is easily knocked down. The stance should be stable yet flexible, for both offensive and defensive movements. Those of you who have been training for a couple of months, how many times has your instructor told you to keep both feet firmly on the ground when delivering a punch. Most martial arts beginners will have their rear heal off the ground after delivering a punch. The heel of the rear foot should never be off the ground at the point of impact in order to produce maximum power at the point of impact.

Concentration

    When you apply an impact force for example, a punch to the smallest target area of your opponent, it will concentrate the force therefore, increase its effect. For example, water coming out of a garden hose at full force to fill the small opening of a water bottle, has a greater force because the orifice of the bottle is small. In conclusion, the martial arts beginner, and one is a beginner even several months in training, even though you have a colored belt, that you should concentrate your attack into one small area of your opponent’s body to generate the most damage. This is why the hips and abdomen are jerked sharply to generate a blow, strike or in a defensive move.

Speed

   What can I say about speed? Mathematically force equals mass times acceleration therefore, speed is the most essential factor of force. As a martial arts beginner, reaction force, breath control, equilibrium and concentration cannot be ignored. These are the factors that contribute to speed. Unleashing one blow or a flurry of blows in an instant, at a blink of an eye from a non fighting stance, is the epitome of a well conditioned fighting machine.  For martial arts ebooks and articles Click Here!