| It's a very simple process to achieve speed in punching | | | | firm (which is not tight and not relaxed). This is a feeling |
| and kicking once you know some basics on how this | | | | of being in an in between level. You must be at this |
| process is done. Karate students tend to make key | | | | firm level because it will allow the natural tension of |
| mistakes that prevents this natural speed from | | | | your muscles from firm to tight when you finish your |
| occurring in their training. I will show you a step by step | | | | punch or kick. |
| solution to eliminate this problem. | | | | 2. At this point you shouldn't think of speed but rather |
| But first I have to tell you about why karate students | | | | on how fast you can go from a firm tension to a tight |
| can't achieve speed in their punches and kicks: | | | | tension. As you go from firm to tight, then you punch |
| 1. They tend to tense up their muscles right from the | | | | or kick should follow that same sequence. |
| start of the punch or kick. This action will freeze up the | | | | 3. The only thing you should be concentrating on is for |
| muscle speed and you won't be able to achieve the | | | | your punch or kick to follow the tension speed from |
| ultimate speed. | | | | firm to tight. If this is done in a time of one second, then |
| 2. They tend to just think of speed in their minds. | | | | your punch or kick should be following that same |
| Concentrating on speed won't necessarily give you | | | | speed. |
| more speed. | | | | I would strongly suggest that you practice this firm to |
| Now let me show you the exact basic process in | | | | tight tension at slow speed first, then when you feel |
| achieving more speed in your punches and kicks: | | | | comfortable only then should you go on the medium |
| 1. All your muscles in your body should be what I call | | | | and then fast speeds. |