I think there is a very important "visualization" component to striking.
When you throw a strike with your arms there is a huge difference between punching to the end of your arm and punching through the opponent.
When I strike, I like to imagine that the power leaving my arm is going forward into infinity. Now that doesn't mean that I have to leave my arm hanging out there for somebody to take a picture. It means that my intent for the strike doesn't end at a certain distance behind the person or a certain distance into the person. It means that my intent is to transfer power away from my body. The trick is to do this without throwing your center of balance off.
I feel a huge increase in my power when I stop hitting "things" and start hitting "out". And I notice that when I teach this concept students get more relaxed, have better range of motion in their strikes, and thus greater power and greater speed to their strikes.
So I'm curious -- where do you visualize that your power is going when you strike???
On Releasing Power
Moderator: Available
On Releasing Power
Strike at something as if you were striking at nothing. Some times too much concentration on the thing being struck inhibits the ability to truly strike through it. The object can capture and inhibit us.
david
david
On Releasing Power
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>When I strike, I like to imagine that the power leaving my arm is going forward into
infinity. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Like water shooting out the end of a hose?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
- A. Einstein
[This message has been edited by candan (edited April 05, 2002).]
infinity. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Like water shooting out the end of a hose?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
- A. Einstein
[This message has been edited by candan (edited April 05, 2002).]
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Allen M.
On Releasing Power
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Strike at something as if you were striking at nothing. Some times too much concentration on the thing being struck inhibits the ability to truly strike through it. The object can capture and inhibit us.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>David, I say board-breaking is good to develop this kind of skill. Thoughts?
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>David, I say board-breaking is good to develop this kind of skill. Thoughts?
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
On Releasing Power
I was a student of Kay Ohie, an international trap shooting [ clay targets] champion and a famous coach/instructor.
Under his tutelage my ranking went from a __B shooter to an A shooter [ 94 average] in registered competition.
The secret was to shoot by "punching through the target" with your shotgun shot, and to "stay through" the target momentarily as in wanting to shoot the pieces as the clay bird "puffed" __
This is how I teach a TC strike.
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Van Canna
Under his tutelage my ranking went from a __B shooter to an A shooter [ 94 average] in registered competition.
The secret was to shoot by "punching through the target" with your shotgun shot, and to "stay through" the target momentarily as in wanting to shoot the pieces as the clay bird "puffed" __
This is how I teach a TC strike.
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Van Canna
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uechiwoman
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2000 6:01 am
- Location: Silver Spring, MD
On Releasing Power
I feel the difference when holding a bag for someone who is aiming and hitting an inch or two into the bag. Their shoulders are tight and they are stopping their power short. I ask them to aim at me thru the bag and Kaboom!!! A completely different strike comes out.
I experience the same thing on a smaller scale with acupuncture needles. Some points can be deep and I must direct my attention to the full depth I need to go or my needle will stop along the way or never get past the outer layer of skin.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
Heather
I experience the same thing on a smaller scale with acupuncture needles. Some points can be deep and I must direct my attention to the full depth I need to go or my needle will stop along the way or never get past the outer layer of skin.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
What a beautiful description of a strike! I found this feeling first in the open handed strikes in Sanchin. It has taken me awhile to capture the same feeling during closed fist strikes.The secret was to shoot by "punching through the target" with your shotgun shot, and to "stay through" the target momentarily as in wanting to shoot the pieces as the clay bird "puffed"
Heather
On Releasing Power
Hi Heather,
Glad you like the description. It really works.
And from what I saw of you at Summer camp, you lack nothing in the power department.
When are you testing next?
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Van Canna
Glad you like the description. It really works.
And from what I saw of you at Summer camp, you lack nothing in the power department.
When are you testing next?
------------------
Van Canna
On Releasing Power
i enjoyed reading your ideas of where to strike. Ummm... I follow-through completely (the shotgun principle) when striking the bag. But when free sparring, i focus on the shotgun principle in the retraction more than the punch. The punch only goes in an inch, but the retraction point is behind the opponent and comes all the way back. (i am bad with words and descriptions.. sorry! i guess that is what i get for being only 15) waiting to see more opinions on this interesting topic ~ SJR
P.S. I am working Sanchin with it being one of our katas near blackbelt to learn... i have been practicing and working with it for about 4 months and it feels really weak to me. Does anyone have any thoughts or encouragement on this particular form. I could use any and all help! Thanks.
P.S. I am working Sanchin with it being one of our katas near blackbelt to learn... i have been practicing and working with it for about 4 months and it feels really weak to me. Does anyone have any thoughts or encouragement on this particular form. I could use any and all help! Thanks.
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uechiwoman
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2000 6:01 am
- Location: Silver Spring, MD
On Releasing Power
Van Sensei,
I love the power of Uechi that I have learned through Master Nakamatsu's teaching. Now I need to add some fluidity.
I would also like to experience some of your TC training that I feel may be similar to Nakamatsu's methods. I watched you while you were working with Dana on Seisan last camp and we seem to be training some very similar things.
I am up for testing for sandan late this summer or early fall.
I hope to see you at camp this summer!
-Heather
I love the power of Uechi that I have learned through Master Nakamatsu's teaching. Now I need to add some fluidity.
I would also like to experience some of your TC training that I feel may be similar to Nakamatsu's methods. I watched you while you were working with Dana on Seisan last camp and we seem to be training some very similar things.
I am up for testing for sandan late this summer or early fall.
I hope to see you at camp this summer!
-Heather
On Releasing Power
Hi Heather,
Sandan is a very important rank, and you will be one of the strongest, I am sure.
I think that you and Dana are among the strongest Uechi women I have seen.
Look forward to seeing you at camp, and hope to be able to watch you test.
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Van Canna
Sandan is a very important rank, and you will be one of the strongest, I am sure.
I think that you and Dana are among the strongest Uechi women I have seen.
Look forward to seeing you at camp, and hope to be able to watch you test.
------------------
Van Canna
On Releasing Power
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
The same principle applies when a bad golfer swings at the ball and does not follow through. The correct way to follow through is by bringing the club up and around the shoulder while rotating the hips square with the line of shot and turning the back foot onto the ball of the foot with the heel in the air. If the golfer does not think about the follow through he/she will stop the swing as soon as the ball is struck.
The same analagy can be made by a baseball swing or a hockey players swing at a puck.
The success of a powerful swing comes from the fact the object hit is in the middle of the swing path and the striking weapon is allowed to continue to the end of its path. The Baseball and golf ball travel a long distance while the hockey puck can reach speeds of 100 miles and hour.
When striking, make sure your target is within the punch path. At least no further away than the distance where your wrist begins to turn over. And follow through (at least try to) to the end of the path of your strike.
Just like the golfer, hockey player, or batter, the more you coil and uncoil while having your target within your swing path the more power you will deliver.
You must not only practice the movement of the strike, you must also practice how to effectively get you or your opponent within this distance without getting your self injured.
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Len
[This message has been edited by LenTesta (edited April 08, 2002).]
As soon as the wrist begins it's turn and the arm becomes fully extended is when you lose your power. However, you must continue all strikes until you acheive this effect with your arm. If you do not, you are in effect "pulling your punch" upon contact.When you throw a strike with your arms there is a huge difference between punching to the end of your arm and punching through the opponent.
The same principle applies when a bad golfer swings at the ball and does not follow through. The correct way to follow through is by bringing the club up and around the shoulder while rotating the hips square with the line of shot and turning the back foot onto the ball of the foot with the heel in the air. If the golfer does not think about the follow through he/she will stop the swing as soon as the ball is struck.
The same analagy can be made by a baseball swing or a hockey players swing at a puck.
The success of a powerful swing comes from the fact the object hit is in the middle of the swing path and the striking weapon is allowed to continue to the end of its path. The Baseball and golf ball travel a long distance while the hockey puck can reach speeds of 100 miles and hour.
When striking, make sure your target is within the punch path. At least no further away than the distance where your wrist begins to turn over. And follow through (at least try to) to the end of the path of your strike.
Just like the golfer, hockey player, or batter, the more you coil and uncoil while having your target within your swing path the more power you will deliver.
You must not only practice the movement of the strike, you must also practice how to effectively get you or your opponent within this distance without getting your self injured.
------------------
Len
[This message has been edited by LenTesta (edited April 08, 2002).]
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Dana Sheets
- Posts: 2715
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am
On Releasing Power
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
Please don't worry about your power yet. I am a firm believer that true power comes from relaxation, proper technique, body alignment, and timing more so than muscle strength. Do you know what tradition of sanchin you are training? It is more of the Uechi sanchin or is it more of the Goju sanchin? There are also several chinese martial arts that have a sanchin(ish) form.
If your style uses dynamic tension, remember that this is only a training tool. This powerful technique builds up body strength and endurance. However, the downside is that it leaves the body with a "muscle memory" of tension -- and that tension must only be used on impact (either getting or giving). The rest of the time relaxation is the goal.
If you can describe your sanchin more I'll be able to say a few other things. There are many on these forums who have written well about sanchin in the past. I'd also suggest a search of the archives. I think you can find video clips on the multimedia section of this site too.
Hope that helps. And please don't be afraid to ask specific questions.
Dana
SJR - as many on this forum will say - Sanchin is a lifetime of study.P.S. I am working Sanchin with it being one of our katas near blackbelt to learn... i have been practicing and working with it for about 4 months and it feels really weak to me. Does anyone have any thoughts or encouragement on this particular form.
Please don't worry about your power yet. I am a firm believer that true power comes from relaxation, proper technique, body alignment, and timing more so than muscle strength. Do you know what tradition of sanchin you are training? It is more of the Uechi sanchin or is it more of the Goju sanchin? There are also several chinese martial arts that have a sanchin(ish) form.
If your style uses dynamic tension, remember that this is only a training tool. This powerful technique builds up body strength and endurance. However, the downside is that it leaves the body with a "muscle memory" of tension -- and that tension must only be used on impact (either getting or giving). The rest of the time relaxation is the goal.
If you can describe your sanchin more I'll be able to say a few other things. There are many on these forums who have written well about sanchin in the past. I'd also suggest a search of the archives. I think you can find video clips on the multimedia section of this site too.
Hope that helps. And please don't be afraid to ask specific questions.
Dana
On Releasing Power
Dana, Sensei
Thank you again for your time spent to help me out. I believe that our version of Sanchin would be goju version.
Our lineage comes from Tatsuo Shimabuku who studied Goju-ryu under Miyagi. But Miyagi is the one who is given the credit for changing the open-hand techniques to the closed fists that we use.
Our version uses ibuki breathing and concentrates on anchoring the chi/ki below the floor through the Sanchin dachi which roots us to the floor. The tension begins in the feet (and below)with toes dug in and travels up through legs into the abdomen (pelic rock forward) up through shoulders (shoulders rolled forward) etc.
I do not know that much about it other than what i have written here. Like I said, i am new to this kata... Very new! Thank you Sensei Dana for helping me out again! sincerely~SJR
Thank you again for your time spent to help me out. I believe that our version of Sanchin would be goju version.
Our lineage comes from Tatsuo Shimabuku who studied Goju-ryu under Miyagi. But Miyagi is the one who is given the credit for changing the open-hand techniques to the closed fists that we use.
Our version uses ibuki breathing and concentrates on anchoring the chi/ki below the floor through the Sanchin dachi which roots us to the floor. The tension begins in the feet (and below)with toes dug in and travels up through legs into the abdomen (pelic rock forward) up through shoulders (shoulders rolled forward) etc.
I do not know that much about it other than what i have written here. Like I said, i am new to this kata... Very new! Thank you Sensei Dana for helping me out again! sincerely~SJR
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Dana Sheets
- Posts: 2715
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am
On Releasing Power
And please...just call me Dana.
I don't know much of the goju style of sanchin. So many only suggestions is that in the process of ibuki breathing is that you breathe enough. Too often I've seen goju players who do there breathing that way end up very, very short of breathe at the end of the form. No matter what sounds you're trying to make to show that you are breathing - the most important thing is to make sure you have enough air.
The fighter with the most air (i.e. cardio wellness) will often stand a better chance of winning the fight.
Dana
I don't know much of the goju style of sanchin. So many only suggestions is that in the process of ibuki breathing is that you breathe enough. Too often I've seen goju players who do there breathing that way end up very, very short of breathe at the end of the form. No matter what sounds you're trying to make to show that you are breathing - the most important thing is to make sure you have enough air.
The fighter with the most air (i.e. cardio wellness) will often stand a better chance of winning the fight.
Dana
On Releasing Power
Thanks Dana! (i will try to say that at least)
I will try to check and improve on my actual breathing and i agree that it is a lifetime of learning! Thanks for the info ~ SJR
I will try to check and improve on my actual breathing and i agree that it is a lifetime of learning! Thanks for the info ~ SJR
