Karate For Beginners - Speed In Karate. How Important Is It?

If you compete, semi contact, full contact or mixed martial arts, it's VERY important.

But as karatedo is a ‘self improvement’ journey, speed obviously isn't the most important element, as your only real opponent is yourself.

Some people are fast, some are not! But I do believe we can all get faster, through training.

Speed used to be a high priority in my training, I was always looking for new ways to increase my speed and I still think its an important part of karate for beginners practice.

As long as you go as fast as you can when practicing full speed, that's all that’s important.

The question is, ‘how do you get everyone in the dojo to move at THEIR full speed?’ Well I believe the answer is ‘encouragement’.

Some common phrases used by karate sensei are 'faster', 'more speed', 'that needs to be faster', 'to slow', ‘speed up’, etc.

But, these phrases when used correctly, as words of encouragement, rather than making karateka feel they are slow, is the right way.

We all want to feel good, gone are the days when a karate sensei could belittle students and expect them to bounce back stronger and I for one am glad those days have gone.

So if we all want to move as fast as we can at karate training, all we need, is a strong dojo with a good atmosphere, senior karateka with good attitudes and a sensei with the ability to bring the best out of their students.

Happy speed training!

Ossu
Linden
Biggleswade Karate Club

PS I'll finish with a classic quote from one of the best boxers ever!Muhammad Ali

'I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.' Muhammad Ali


Linden Huckle