Im working on improving my punching power, and as a Taekwondo exponent im having trouble generating the necessary power. I know punching like kicking, comes from better excution of the technique (i.e. using footwork and hips etc) but is there any specific exercises that anyone uses? And more importantly do they work?
Logged
Martial Edge - Check out our martial arts shop for our latest products and offers!
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Well, judging by the way you were hitting the bag last Monday, I'd beg to differ on your 'lack of power!'
I remember Master Sergiew teaching us to not just use our body/hip power but use your shoulder as well. And, like me, you probably need to build your upper body strength more as well.
Mind you, you kicked that bag like a mule though!
Logged
The administrator has disabled public write access.
One of the methods I find particuarly useful is called Accented Striking. It's an excercise performed usually on a sack of ball bearings. However it seems to work on nearly anything.
There are many variations and applications of an accented strike, but in this description I'm talking about the backhand. This is a condensed version of the accented striking section of my book (shameless plug) and so, may seem a little rushed etc.
Complete tension should be reserved only for the time when contact is made. Being relaxed up until that point allows for your punches to have a slight "accent" to them. They will snap a little more. (Often seperates the thudding pain of a straight closed fist with a prolonged, burning pain.)
Basically, execute your technique using the same good form, but allow your shoulder, wrist, forearm and hand to be slightly "lighter". Your technique should be free and easily altered whilst making it's acceleration, and to give your punch some accented power, tense up only when you are centimertres from your target. And when you do tense up, put all your energy into that tension.
Definitely a lot comes from technique, and like all other techniques, using the whole of your body to generate the power. Like someone said below as well, the TaeKwon-Do theory of power is that it should be a relaxed movement until point of contact, at which point the muscles all contract. Imagine locking your leg muscles and then trying to kick....
A bizarre exercise but....
Try throwing a punch, without using your arm, use your hips legs torso and shoulder to try and get a snap in your uper body, as if your jabbing your shoulder forwards (but not off balance). Once you have the hang of that snap, stick the arm out as well!
Logged
The administrator has disabled public write access.
It maybe that you do have good technique but desire a different result from your strike.
Standing in front of the kick bag assume your stance and strike as you would but if you strike beyond the centre line of the bag then this would be more likely to push it away from you.
However if you should strike to the centre line of the bag this should distort it making it more likely to bend than swing.
I believe this method is best seen brick breaking. Check out Master Liversidge video in facebook.<br><br>Post edited by: Steve D, at: 2007/10/07 04:59
Logged
The administrator has disabled public write access.
:) Naturally,I'm going to put in a plug for my new book, "Martial Mechanics", which discusses how to use certain laws of physics and kinesiology to improve one's power...it'll be released in the Spring.
But I also strongly suggest hitting the striking post (an old-fashioned, traditional one) six days a week...That's what I do and I ask all of my senior students to do likewise.
Logged
The administrator has disabled public write access.
pstarr wrote: :) Naturally,I'm going to put in a plug for my new book, "Martial Mechanics", which discusses how to use certain laws of physics and kinesiology to improve one's power...it'll be released in the Spring.
But I also strongly suggest hitting the striking post (an old-fashioned, traditional one) six days a week...That's what I do and I ask all of my senior students to do likewise.
I'm glad someone else is plugging their works!
And yes, absolutely right, anything along the lines of a makiwara or striking post used in repetition builds technique and consistency, and with such comes power. I personally use a sack of ball bearings, particuarly useful for palm conditioning.
But many methods serve many purposes.
Logged
"Magistris severis corpus et spiritum omnino tradidi et animum accepi"
The administrator has disabled public write access.
I prefer the post because it forces you to focus your thrust/strike onto and through a small point. A slight grazing punch will be immediately self-correcting.
Training the thrust against a post also develops and toughens the shoulders...and the vibration of the post (if it's properly constructed) every time you hit it gradually increases the density of the bones in the hand which are used for striking.
Logged
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Forum 
Favoured: 0
i got opposite probelm, punches allright but kicks abysmal (typo)
