How can I increase speed and accuracy as a bigger guy?

[NewLevel]

Hey guys...I'm 6'0" and a tad bit overweight (working on that!) around 270 lbs.

Can a bigger guy like me have speed and accuracy?

My sensei and senior student always remind me of the force = mass x acceleration formula.

Thanks!

[Kuma]

You sure can. Think about football players. Some of those guys are enormous, yet still very agile and quick and can see an opening and take it. Both just require training and patience to get. Just work hard at it.

[Killer Miller]

Yea, you can be lightning fast - I trained with many 250 and over karate-ka over the years that were vary fast and agile. It's all in breathing, timing and technique.....

- Killer -

[bushido_man96]

I agree. With the proper training and patience, you can be a fast and agile big man. Work the proper technique, and then work on enhancing your speed with drills appropriate for that.

Also, don't neglect footwork. As a big guy, it can be your friend. Do some footwork drills, and even jump rope if you have the time. Build it from the ground up.

[BDPulver]

I'm a big guy also. 6'1" 250.

Pretty much I did alot of bike riding (mountain biking actually). Some running and light weight training. Had a fellow black belt once didnt think I was fast cause of my size. Proved him wrong, he was really amazed at how fast I could leg sweep him and follow up.

The biggest thing to make sure you see your doctor also to make sure you can be that strenous on your body. I was having chest pains once and turned out to be just my body trying to adapt to the new excersise I was doing.

But I see my doc every chance I get anyways. She also studies MA so she knows what I put my body through. My previous doc thought I was overdoing it. So make sure you get one that understands athelics.

[sensei8]

How can I increase speed and accuracy as a bigger guy?

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! Nothing improves anything without practice...tons of practice!

Some good ideas have been covered in this thread and they can't be argued with, but, without practice nothing is achieved.

[Killer Miller]

I'm personally not a big advocate of the theory that "practice, practice, practice" will necessarily make you fast and agile. It's not a matter of practice, but practice with the appropriate training and concepts to develop these characteristics.

Unfortunately, many karate-ka do not have the level of instruction to truly learn proper breathing and timing techniques to acomplish this feat. And for this reason, is why I don't have a lot to really say on the subject. It's something that can be explained over the internet in length, but it really can't be taught over the internet due to misinterpretation...

- Killer -

[ps1]

Yes. You can. You acquire it the same way you get to Carnegie Hall...Practice Practice Practice. Just enjoy the journey.

[Shizentai]

train relaxation!

you'll move faster when you are more relaxed at the start of almost any technique. This is true for anyone of any size.

[sperki]

And hope genetics granted you plenty of fast twitch muscle fiber! You'll be able to get faster either way (assuming you're not past some genetically determined age). Good luck!