Theories on Power and Snap

[cardinal95]

So I have a promotion coming up, my first one in 12 years (after my very long hiatus). One of the requirements for my next kyu is writing a paper on the theories and application regarding "power" and "snap" in the martial arts (specifically, karate). I am a writer by profession, so little does my Sensei know that he is likely going to receive a full on research paper from me. However, in my preliminary research, though I am seeing some reputable resources regarding power, I am coming up short on the "snap" factor. Though a lot writers blog about snap, I need some more authentic sources since I will likely submit the piece for publication. I was curious if anyone could point me in some sort of direction on this. Any insight at all is beyond appreciated!

[ps1]

So I have a promotion coming up, my first one in 12 years (after my very long hiatus). One of the requirements for my next kyu is writing a paper on the theories and application regarding "power" and "snap" in the martial arts (specifically, karate). I am a writer by profession, so little does my Sensei know that he is likely going to receive a full on research paper from me. However, in my preliminary research, though I am seeing some reputable resources regarding power, I am coming up short on the "snap" factor. Though a lot writers blog about snap, I need some more authentic sources since I will likely submit the piece for publication. I was curious if anyone could point me in some sort of direction on this. Any insight at all is beyond appreciated!

There is alot of conflicting information in both power and snap. Depending what research you end up finding, you'll see different formulas used. Some include impulse, some force, some power, some torque. There's very little consistency in how power it measured when it comes to martial arts techniques.

You'll find even less consistency when it comes to snap.

As a writer, this will frustrate the heck out of you. When it comes to martial arts and the development of power, much of it is simply hearsay and conjecture. EVERYONE has seen research or read research or knows someone who researched but no one can really site it. Most of what people tell you is hypothesis, at best. This is someone with over 30 years in training and an educational background in biomechanics, anatomy and physiology.

Good luck, my friend.

[Wastelander]

ps1 is absolutely correct--if you're going to try to research this, you are going to have a hard time. In addition, different styles use slightly different body mechanics, so if you end up pulling information from people who do things differently, your instructor may tell you that your paper was wrong. And that's just for power generation!

Snap is a totally different can of worms. You're going to have to define "snap," for one thing--there are different characteristics that martial artists might call "snap." One kind of snap might be good, and another might be bad, depending on who you ask.

Your best bet is really going to be studying how your art does it, and explain that to the best of your ability. You said "in martial arts (specifically, karate)," but that is extremely vague when it comes to the topics you have to cover. If you feel you need more information on how your style does things, you could try reaching out to other people who practice it and ask them. We are happy to help people on this forum, but this is going to be a pretty tough one!

[cardinal95]

Thank you both so much! I am actually quite glad you both targeted the inconsistencies and lack of information. Research is what I am known for and coming up short with information was already driving me nuts, so I am almost glad this is a trend and not just me.

I plan on narrowing it down to the theories and applications specifically in the Shorei-Ryu style. Though, this style has either been a) grossly perverted from its original traditional ways or b) has very little written record on the stylistic characteristics. I suppose interviewing our Hanshi and other Senseis may be the best course of action to take here.

Thanks again all!

[Kusotare]

You may want to research the meanings behind terms like "Kime".

Snap is a bit of a nasty word as it implies breaking, but kime implies being able to control your muscles in a different way...

http://www.karatebyjesse.com/kime-putting-the-nail-in-the-coffin/

Hope that helps.

K.

[cardinal95]

I definitely plan on incorporating a lot with kime (in our style it translates to "focus of power"). This article is interesting, I will definitely be sending it to my Sensei. What a great perspective in terms of semantics and translation. I wish I had a little more wiggle room with the the criteria, but the "power" and "snap" elements are musts.

That is a great idea though, perhaps, incorporating the precise amount of snap and power to a particular kime example could prove useful.

[sensei8]

What is the "snap" and "power" in the style you train in?? That's where I'd concentrate your article on because there's no ambiguity on how your style defines either!! I'd start with that! After that, ambiguity will be everywhere because of how the different styles of the MA will define either of them.

Good luck in your research!!

[cardinal95]

Thanks Sensei8!

[yamesu]

To me "snap" relates to elastic collision.

It is pretty well proven that elastic collision coverts directly to kinetic energy more efficiently than inelastic collisions - well, inelastic collision does not conserve kinetic energy anyways...

Ie) Flowerpot analogy. If a flower pot falls on my head, does it hurt more if it bounces off, or if it smashes?

The answer may surprise most people....

Hope this gives you something to go on?

[kensei]

Stick to physics! As a "body man" (Meaning I studied sports Med.) I try not to use "esoteric" and sport specific jargon. Snap is in physics is called Jounce, and it is the fourth derivative of the possion vector with respect to time. the first second and thrid being Velocity, acceleration and jerk (no not what my wife calls me); in other words jounce is the rate of change of the jerk with respect to time.

One of the biggest problems we have when teaching is using snippits from one thing and trying to force them into the other. In other words we get a tiny taste of physics (such as the equation for force) and we then end their and start throwing meaningless phrases liek "Snap" into the mix with out properly explaining it.

The other issue is when we spend far to much time on physics and not enough on kicky and punchy stuff!

When I teach I tend not to go to deep into this stuff, but I love finding things out like how the formula for power actually can be used to find out the total sum of Jounce for a technique....now measuring that stuff is another thing all together.

Its worth looking into and its worth trying to wrap your head around it so you understand your art and how it applies to the physical world, always been a bit of a Biomechanics geek and loved it in Uni.

For your paper, my suggestion is to look at some Kinesiology books and use the formulas, get to know how they apply and then explain them. It could be an eye opener for your instructor as well. Most instructors I know are great at Karate but to really explain and qualify force, snap, thrust, focus and the rest is often done in a psudo-scientific way that makes us all feel like we actually know what we are talking about...but we are skimming over the real science and just reworking Karate terms.