Karate ---Hard-or-Soft---

[Taikudo-ka]

BTW, Searcher, do you know how to calculate the mass for f=mv in relation to a fist, attached to a body, attached to the ground?

 

It can't simply be body weight, because different techniques will add bodyweght to a punch in different ways, eg if you're stepping forward in a low, stable stance while punching surely more weight would be behind the punch than if you were standing straight up, feet very light, in an unstable stance.

 

 

[Red J]

"many people seem to over use their muscles rather than their body to fire off punches and kicks. "

 

Bobby, I agree with this statement. Watch a beginner throw a punch or even a roundhouse kick. Most try to "power" it through. The real power comes with the refinement of the technique. An advanced student will use their body, with its natural leverage and torque, to produce an outstanding result (and make it look easy ).

[inyctrotter]

I think speed deals more damage than power. Even though you need power. If you snap a punch a fast rate it will hurt more than just punching with power.

[Taikudo-ka]

- "I think speed deals more damage than power."

 

Actually, "power" is a function of speed. In physics, power equals mass (weight) times velocity (speed). (As stated above). Increasing speed increases power.

 

As to whether karate is "hard" or "soft", well, Goju-Ryu, by definition, is both. That's why it's called "Goju" - literally hard/soft. This balance of opposites is crucial to oriental philosophy. It's what the whole yin/yang thing symbolizes.

[LightFighterZero]

I believe that a style needs both speed and power. Speed allows for certain moves to be preformed with out being easily countered, and power gives the blow that cand help you come one step closer to defeating and opponent.