Striking Power

[Cade]

tempehmomma,

Did you catch Fight Science on the National Geographic Channel? The show had a bunch of scientist using the very latest in technology to prove what was myth and reality as far as strikes and kicks as well as weapons. It was very informative. For example, for a hand strike, the only fighting style that generated 1000+ lbs of pressure was the common boxing right jab. The other martial artists using their own particular style couldn't generate that much force. Who would've thought.

Another one was the front knee kick as used in Muay Thai. It was rated as super deadly to the human body. When they release this on DVD it's worth owning in my opinion. They'll probably repeat this so check their website for times.

[tempehmomma]

Cade:
Someone on another forum made a post with a link to a video clip of martial artists of various MA and a boxer. They all punched this "pad" that measured the amount of pressure generated by a punch. The boxers cross generated more power than any of the martial artists punches. The clip may have been taken from the National Geographic show you mentioned.

Measuring punching power is not an exact science. The scientists may not have tested the most powerful strikers of the various MA or boxers.

I've said this before, but I think the Muay Thai RHK and Teep are much more powerful than snapping kicks. You can't break someones thigh bone with a snap RHK.

[Cade]

I agree. Also, it's really what the individual puts into it. Science can tell me how to punch and put someone in a coma but if I don't practice and practice the right way, I'll never reach that level where I can bring down a person with just one punch.

I like the way plyometrics is used in MA and boxing. It's sure is a quicker way to get that striking power you seek but it's also and quicker way to injury as well.

[tempehmomma]

Side Bar:
Cade, your avatar is starting to scare me.

[Cade]

My avatar is scared himself so join the club. It takes work to keep vampires at bay.

[GeorgeXVX]

mass x strength = power

gain weight and keep lifting!

Really though, I noticed my standup has gotten much more powerful by working form, but also I think because of lots of shoulder work (overhead press), tricep, and upper back..

haha... see i lost weight and now fight guys much smaller then me... i have yet to get a KO but i hit tons hader then anyone i train/compete with.


I am probally the biggest and strongest 147lber you will come across...

[jonwade]

As well as the overhead press, also try cleans and clean and jerks. These help to train the muscles to allow fast explosive movements, as well as increasing core strength.

[tylerm]

Cade:
Someone on another forum made a post with a link to a video clip of martial artists of various MA and a boxer. They all punched this "pad" that measured the amount of pressure generated by a punch. The boxers cross generated more power than any of the martial artists punches. The clip may have been taken from the National Geographic show you mentioned.

Measuring punching power is not an exact science. The scientists may not have tested the most powerful strikers of the various MA or boxers.

I only caught the last few minutes of the show, but I agree that that show doesn't really prove anything, how do you compare the individuals and their technique? Out of that group it shows who hit the hardest, etc, but does that take into account their size and strength? Also, let's see them in a fight, who cares if you can hit really hard but someone can see it coming and counter before you get a chance to land it.

Also on that show, Dan Inosanto was on there doing stick work, and he wasn't even doing a full extension on his stick strikes, and that was for sure a decrease on power than a full stroke.

[dean]

mass x strength = power

No! Mass x velocity (speed) = power.

[tylerm]

mass x strength = power

No! Mass x velocity (speed) = power.

You're right, looking back at this post I see I got it wrong. The reason that equation helped me with my lifting was to remind me to eat more and lift explosively

[dean]

I had to think about that one, but yes, I understand.

[tyciol]

Various pressing exercises, abdominal exercises, and rotation or -chop exercises that combine it. Medicine balls are good too. Of course nothing beats shadow boxing and hitting the bag.

[puppydog]

i think a lot of striking power can come from developing ligaments and tendons in arms with isometric exercises. In hung gar we had seven 'positions' that we held for long time w/ extreme tension. One example is sort of like holding your hands if you were playing "paddy-cake" and putting as much tension as possible. My sifu's forearms were like sharp iron rods.

i've also had success w/ "stone warrior" program. Green Dragon's is the system I've used. It's very intense. basically performing a set in super slow motion and flexing every muscle in your body as hard as possible the whole time.

http://www.greendragonkungfu.com/forms.asp?form=98

[No other way]

it really is mostly technique. i recently boxed a guy who out weighted me by 70 pounds in muscle and won. he didn't know how to throw a punch but i landed one right cross to his chin and he quit. it is all in your hips and shoulders. if you rotate your body at just the right moment you won't need to rely on just pure strength as much. but i do incorporate explosive push ups where i push so my hands come off the ground. that seems to help.

[damdaman]

I am still relatively new to martial arts, so I'm still learning a lot, but wouldn't technique be most important when generating power, as opposed to raw, muscular strength? There are women who train at my gym who are a foot shorter than me and 80 pounds lighter than me and can hit like a 300 pound boxer.

Proper bone alignment, whip action, and well-timed tension are what I've been instructed make a punch more powerful, not being bigger or stronger.