Kung Fu Speed Training
Kung fu is an ancient art form that requires patience, time and diligent training to master. One of the most important aspects of kung fu is speed. Without speed, a student will never be able to master the art of kung fu, regardless of how long he trains. In addition to speed, a kung fu student should also focus on power, accuracy and flexibility.
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Purpose
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According to Bruce Lee, the purpose of speed in kung fu is to enable a fighter to hit his opponent quicker and harder, while avoiding being hit. Without speed, a fighter will move too slowly to be successful, regardless of strength or power. Most people are not born with quick and accurate movements and must train diligently to build the speed of their kung fu.
Fa Jin
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Understanding fa jin, often spelled "fa jing," is one of the most important aspects of speed training. Fa jin is a discharge of explosive energy, or qi, and allows the practitioner to move quickly and powerfully during a strike. Although it may sound mystical, the use of fa jn is mechanical. It requires confidence in motion and loose muscles. During a punch using fa jin, the explosive energy begins near the navel in lower dantian, moves up through the chest and shoulder, then down the arm until it reaches the striking hand. The body is loose until the strike is made. To better understand how to apply fa jin, kung fu students should practice with someone who has mastered it.
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Exercises
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There are several exercises that a kung fu practitioner can do to build his speed. The first is very basic: jump rope. Used by martial artists and boxers, jumping rope builds fast twitch muscles and reaction times. It also increases coordination and endurance. An exercise long used by Shaolin monks is the candle method. Using the candle method, kung fu practitioners place a lit candle in front of them and try to extinguish the flame with their punch. Kung fu students also practice free sparring, which increases speed reaction times in a real life situation.
Techniques
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To increase his speed during a strike, there are a few techniques that a student can employ. A technique used by the late Bruce Lee was to add a snap to the punch just before impact. A similar snap can be added to kicks, to increase the speed of a kick. All punches should include waist movement to increase speed and power.
Benefits
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Increasing punching speed, especially if fa jin is used, will not only enable a fighter to strike his opponent, but enable him to retract his arm before his opponent can use a counter move to grab his arm or strike back. Even if a fighter has quick offensive punches, training the rest of his body will help increase his defense. Gaining speed in the legs and body through jumping rope will help a kung fu practitioner step back quickly to avoid being hit.
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References
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- Photo Credit Chinese Kongfu image by huaxiadragon from Fotolia.com
