Fast as a speeding bullet! Fast as greased lighting! Fast as a flash! Faster than light! Faster than a kiss! Faster than a blink!

However one might describe themselves as to their martial arts speed, it's only as fleeting as one might imagine it to be. Yes, having consistent speed in the martial arts can't be ignored as showboating, for what one can't see, one can't defend against!

Speed, and having it, are essential to any martial artist! How one obtains breath-taking speed, maintains/improves ones speed, and how to intercept said speed have been debated/discussed for along time amongst martial artists, and will be debated/discussed for many years to come and then some.

How fast am I? I don't have to be fast; I just have to be effective!

How fast am I? I don't have to be fast; I just have to be effective!

Indeed. One of the many exercises I do in nominally full-speed sparring against juniors is to move as slow as I can - in footwork, arm movement, kicks - while still being effective against the faster-moving opponent. It's good practice to make sure you're not relying on superior speed or strength, as there'll always be someone faster and stronger, especially as we get older. Minimalism is essential to efficiency, making the most of the speed you do have/use, and it's good to "purify" your practice by pruning the wasteful, and concentrating on moving into the places and doing the things necessary to dominate the opponent more easily.

That said, I do spend a lot of time and effort developing a "twitchy" explosiveness, as near-instant movement from relaxation is a core skill of the arts and part of the perfection I aim at. To be the best fighter you can be, you need the best tools you can hone and more efficient use of them....

Cheers,

Tony

I think that developing speed is an important aspect in the fighting arts. "Speed kills" is a popular saying, and it is a very good point. I don't think it is the only thing that makes or breaks a Martial Artist, though. I think that if you can work good strategy and timing, then what speed you have can be maximized.