Faster Knee Strikes?

[BLOWN]

How could I increase my knee striking power and speed?

-Ray

[seersin]

I got my knee striking power greater from doing lots and lots of squats.I do some where I go all tha way to tha ground almost where my butt is on my heels,then go up very slowly.I do some where I go all the way down and shoot up.Then some jumping squats.This has seemed to work very well for me on knee speed and power.Then of course working them on a partner holding thai pads,and banging em' on tha heavybag yourself as well.

[elbows_and_knees]

it may sound way too simple, but the best way to get better at them is to practice them. rep after rep of knees. weights and plyos are a great supplement for power and explosiveness, but the only way to get better at knees is to knee.

[SoonerJohn]

Find a steep hill. Sprint up the hill. Run slowly backwards down the hill. Don't fall.

Do this drill about 5-10 times each time you do them.

[BLOWN]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be working on the stuff menitioned very soon =)

-Ray

[seersin]

Since noone mentioned it I will,don't cut corners.Just take your time.You've got a whole life ahead of ya.Work hard and practice.Personally I love knees.

[ovine king]

do you mean faster in isolation or faster during the course of a match?

best thing to speed up your throwing of knees is to continuously work them into each of your drills and routines. Stick a knee at the end of simple punch combinations when working with pads or the bag. Get someone to rush you and push you back and you work on staying balanced and able to knee. Work out some pressure drills to get you throwing knees as instintive responses. In short, just keep using them. More often than not, your knee; the movement itself and the time it takes you to react with one, are "slow" because your balance/base isn't quite right and you are not used to shifting from walking/punching stance to a kneeing one (it's all in the hip...).

In a clinch, the speed of a knee isn't even that important but your stability is so work your clinch more and your kneeing in that situation will improve as well.

[BLOWN]

Thanks everybody for the input =)

-Ray

[Dragn]

Dont forget technique. You may be strong and fast but if your technique isnt perfect you wont be able to utilise all your power.

Work on really getting up on the ball of your foot and thrusting your hips.

The knee should rise and then drive in forward rather than just rise.

For speed make sure you're relaxed till impact.

Practise on the pads and on the bag.Get the tech right first then add the power and speed. It should all fall into place.

[NeoMstrSgt]

Find a steep hill. Sprint up the hill. Run slowly backwards down the hill. Don't fall.

Do this drill about 5-10 times each time you do them.

Would using leg weight give added benefit, or hinder the progress?