Improving drive...any suggestions?

[kittyblue-eyes]

Augh, my drive is horrible. I know it's not b/c of my height (or lack there of) b/c there are other people in my class roughly my height and they drive forward, laterally and back and they actually move. I barely move unless I do more of a long hop-which I know is wrong. Any suggestions on how to improve my drive? Thank you.

[kkennedy219]

If I'm understanding you correctly (and feel free to smack me down if I'm not), you're needing more power when moving forward and sideways? Our sensei always tells us to REALLY PUSH OFF the floor when moving. For example, if your'e in a forward stance and wanting to move in closer to the opponent to execute a technique, you'll really want to push off the floor with your back leg in order to add speed and power to the movement. It helps that my dojo has a squishy padded training floor that really forces you to do this.

Am I making any sense here? We don't use the term "drive" in my classes, so maybe I'm not even answering your question right.

[bushido_man96]

Kkennedy has a good idea. Along with that foot push, add your hip twist to add power to your techniques. Also remember to keep a good base with your stances, whenever you work with them. Pay attention to how the instructor tells you to set your feet up, and that will be a good reference point to start from.

[Hwa Rang Warrior]

Try engaging your hips. Make sure what ever technique you're doing isn't being done with the limb by itself but rather with the whole body mainly the hips. If you hips are properly engaged then your drive will dramatically increase. and as bushido man said. pay attention to the instructor. He/she may catch some suddle thing you are forgeting in your technique.

[ps1]

This is one of the things that include two categories:

1. Technique- Be sure you are following the proper technique your instructor describes and teaches.

2. Despite what many people say, muscular fitness matters! Be sure to work the muscles of your core and legs. This will help your ability to drive in the way you describe.

* As a side note: you should not go overboard with the strength training. Too much can make you stiff, which would be counter productive. This is them mistake many people make with their training.

Also, the amount of time you've been practicing the technique will play a great part. Several things in the martial arts take lots of practice and often just suddenly come to you after messing it up for a long time.

Keep training! Welcome to the forums.

[bushido_man96]

That is a good comment about building up strength, ps1. I think many people used to view the Martial Arts as ways for "the weak to beat the strong." Being strong, in itself, is a help as well.

[Killer Miller]

Drive is commonly referred to as power or strength. It's actually neither. Power/Strength is the by product, not the action.

Drive is actually based on quick and centered starting action. The body has to be relaxed, centered, and both feet flat and engaged to the floor. When driving, all body muscles contract, as if going down stairs of a screwing down to the floor action. The body naturally drives forward. The faster you breathe/contract, the faster the forward/backwards movement.

Driving over distance involves more work on breathing timing. And instead of thinking driving in one motion over distance, you drive centered in multiple minute/major contractions utilizing breathing timing until you achieve your target distance - otherwise you will be winded and not be able to recover from the movement.

How do you develop this action. Stand in ready or a specific stance. Totally relax the entire body. Without thought, quickly exhale and contract all body muscles and drive forward - one step at a time. Then quickly relax the entire body to do another action. If you practise this enough, it will be second nature and you will be able to drive all day long (so-to-speak) without getting tired and applying maximum speed and power in any direction you chose to go...

Hope this helps.

- Killer -

[pers]

Drive is commonly referred to as power or strength. It's actually neither. Power/Strength is the by product, not the action.

Drive is actually based on quick and centered starting action. The body has to be relaxed, centered, and both feet flat and engaged to the floor. When driving, all body muscles contract, as if going down stairs of a screwing down to the floor action. The body naturally drives forward. The faster you breathe/contract, the faster the forward/backwards movement.

Driving over distance involves more work on breathing timing. And instead of thinking driving in one motion over distance, you drive centered in multiple minute/major contractions utilizing breathing timing until you achieve your target distance - otherwise you will be winded and not be able to recover from the movement.

How do you develop this action. Stand in ready or a specific stance. Totally relax the entire body. Without thought, quickly exhale and contract all body muscles and drive forward - one step at a time. Then quickly relax the entire body to do another action. If you practise this enough, it will be second nature and you will be able to drive all day long (so-to-speak) without getting tired and applying maximum speed and power in any direction you chose to go...

Hope this helps.

- Killer -

What a excellent explanation .

[Killer Miller]

Thnx Pers.

[cross]

Some good advice already.

Just go back to the basics and focus on 2 things:

1. Your fighting stance

and

2. Your footwork.

Without a solid fighting stance you will not be able to execute techniques or footwork very well. So your initial body positioning is important.

Also, to develop the forward drive you are talking about, it all comes from your footwork. You should be able to move smoothly and not with the "hop" you mention in your initial post.