Speed Kills

In martial arts there is a significant importance placed on speed. Why shouldn't there be, this trait is often times what gives one fighter an advantage over another fighter. The problem is that speed in training actually has more negative effects than positive.

All too often speed is the culprit that inhibits learning and growth in training how to fight. This is easily explained by the emotional state of the student who is stressed out, in unfamiliar territory, confused, and/or trying to multi-task. Once a student can slow down they will see that there is much to learn when you play things out slowly.

Do not mistake this as advocating an abolition of speed as speed is a necessary component when introduced at the right time in the training process. Speed is used heavily to test skills to determine if one has attained them but has to go away if failure is the result or if new material is introduced.

A great example arose in class this past weekend - a moment came up in Footwork training where two students were going too fast for their skill level. One had never done the drills at all before last week and was as green as a zucchini. At the speed they were going they were wandering all over the ring with no concept of where they were and why they were moving, just moving for the sake of moving. They were failing to use all of their new footwork skills we trained earlier in the class.

As a student when you are learning footwork think of it this way - if I say freeze, can you explain to me the reason you stepped there? The advantages and disadvantages of that position? What the last 3 moves were that landed you there? And what your opponent has to do from here to counter you? If not then you are going too fast for your skill level and need to slow down. Slowing down the footwork allows you to see your mistakes and either do it over again or move on, knowing the next time not to repeat your previous mistake.

This principle applies to almost all other aspects of fight training and is not restricted to just footwork. When going fast you have no ability to analyze and are throwing your training to the Fates. As a rule of thumb - Fast as you can, slow as you must!

Speed increases with skill not the other way around.