The Power is in the Technique

I remember watching all the Bruce Lee movies that were on TV back when I was a kid. I couldn't wait to see if there was something on our black-and-white-turn-the-knob-with-pliers box. Sunday mornings always had some type of cool Kung Fu show that I immediately started to mimic. When my mother took me to my uncle's Karate school, I couldn't wait to train. Goju Ryu was a very hard-striking style and I would try as hard as I could to make my sleeves snap when I punched. It sounded so cool. I do remember some frustration I caused my instructor because I always wanted to add a little more and I always wanted to push something else.

I am positive I carried on this gung-ho way of training throughout my years. I did train in Kung Fu eventually and, yes, I watched that instructor shake his head too. Even as late as my Jiu Jitsu training, I was that guy (and sometimes still that guy) that was so intense - with my muscles firing off the whole time and finally gassing out within a few minutes time. Now that I'm running my own school, I have the opportunity to reflect and show my students what each and every one of my previous instructors told me: "The power is in the technique."

If you asked a boxer or any striker what makes a powerful right punch, they will all have a different answer. However, they will all be right because it lies within the technique. It starts from the toes or balls of your feet, to the turn of the hip, and bend of the knee. Have you worked on your core enough to transfer that power up to your shoulder? You should be breathing out to ensure you have tightened your core. The elbow doesn't lock but there should be an ever-so-slight bend with your wrist that is turned at just the right time. Is your momentum properly adjusted to finish that punch? It should because as you step forward, you also lower your center of gravity with a slight level change. Your arm should be placed just in front of your shoulder so the punch is supported. Don’t reach too far over. Not only will you lose power, but you will give your opponent an advantage. Where is your head? Tuck properly and do not move left or right; we don’t want to through off that momentum.

I know there will be some folks who will add to this and that to me is what martial arts is about - perfecting the technique.

I had one of my first students hit that "A-ha" moment this week when I taught him not to hit with power. I was able to explain to him how the technique will help him achieve the power that he is looking for. That is not to say that we won't train for power. For now, I would like to show my students that power is not always about the end of your fist but, rather, all of the little things they do before the strike.

I hope you can see the value in this blog article. If it helps one student move his training along, then it has accomplished what I was hoping for. I think it applies to many sports and I am sure that there are many trainers out there who feel the same way. Feel free to comment and share.

Also, a big THANK YOU to all my instructors who told me to slow down before.