The Secrets of Speed

(Black Belt Magazine Oct. 1989 V-27 No. 10)

Legendary karate pioneer Ed Parker begins his sojourn as a Black Belt columnist this month in our continuing effort to bring readers the most knowledgeable essayist in the martial arts.  Parker, one of the true greats of the martial arts world and a Black Belt Hall of Fame member, is a storehouse of memories and anecdotes about people ranging from Bruce Lee to Elvis Presley.  He is also perhaps the world's leading authority on Kenpo karate.  We think you'll find his monthly column amusing, informative, and downright fascinating.  – Ed.

To understand karate techniques and how they function, you must have knowledge of physics.  You must study the body and learn how the senses - through the principles of mass, speed, body alignment, angles, momentum, gravitational marriage, torque, focus, stability, power, and penetration - can make the body function intuitively.  An in-depth study of these principles of physics will also reveal the sophistication contained within basic techniques.

"He who hesitates meditates in a horizontal position" is a statement that I use to imply the need for prompt action.  It is a statement referring to speed.  "Do it now," “I wanted done this instant," You’d better be fast," and "Be quick about it" all are phrases that imply speed or hasten velocity regardless of direction.  As we study these terms, we learn that they are concepts related to distance and time.  By definition, speed is equal to the distance divided by the time it takes to move.

Speed, however, goes beyond this definition.  Like the Eskimo who uses a number of terms to describe the types of snow, we too must distinguish and categorize speed to make it meaningful to the karate enthusiast.  There are three categories of speed: perceptual, mental and physical.  However, while the categories are separated in order to analyze why to speed in tales, they function as one.

Perceptual speed is the quickness of the senses in: monitoring the stimulus they receive; determining the meaning of the stimulus; and conveying the information to the brain so that mental speed can arrange the proper response.  To the karate practitioner, it is the feel or smell of trouble, a sound, sign or gesture that suggests trouble, the site of an incoming strike, or the opportunity to attack or counterattack.  The speed of this type can be increased by maintaining alertness and by conditioning the senses to develop environmental awareness.

Mental speed is the quickness of the mind to select appropriate movements to effectively deal with the incoming stimulus.  Speed of this type can only be increased by practicing various karate techniques on a regular basis.  This involves learning the techniques to a point of total familiarity and instinctive response.  As you broaden your knowledge of combat alternatives, and can tap into the movements and concepts stored in your subconscious, the speed of your instinctive response increases.

Physical speed is the quickness of physical movement - fluency in response to stimulus, and the speed in which one executes the technique.  The speed of this type can be increased through stretching, body conditioning, and other methods of training.  Stretching exercises helps increase elasticity, which automatically develops a reach.  Body conditioning prevents fatigue and allows a high level of speed to be maintained for longer periods of time.

Knowledge of the principles of economy of motion also contributes to speed.  It helps you avoid erroneous angles and teaches you how to administer your strength.  This principle stresses the importance of: being relaxed when striking, tensing only at the moment of impact; making one aware that time is crucial; using movements that follow direct angles and paths; eliminating "telegraphing" of techniques unless as a means of deceptive strategy; continuity, flow, and rhythm; responding to combat from natural postures; learning about target accessibility; and distance, or range.

In conclusion, while speed often enhances power, it is not the root of power.  Synchronization of body mass and speed is a major ingredient that creates power.