Power

About power

To attain proficiency in Taekwondo, students must learn to use the full potential of their bodies using basic scientific principles. Everyone instinctively knows how to kick and punch, an infant will make fists and punch and kick when upset. However, it may take years of dedicated training and practice to deliver a punch or kick instinctively with devastating speed and power.

Power is a combination of strength and explosiveness. Power is generated releasing maximum muscular force at maximum speed, so, to increase power, you must increase both strength and speed. By exerting strength with speed, you take advantage of both the force generated by the muscles and the momentum created through the speed.

Power may be described in three ways

• Static Power. Static power is the maximum force a person may exert for a short period, such as lifting an opponent for a throw.
• Dynamic Power. Dynamic power is the ability to exert muscular force repeatedly or continuously over time, such as numerous rounds of continuous sparring.
• Explosive Power. Explosive power is the ability to exert maximum force in one or a series of dynamic acts, such as breaking a board with a punch.

Since Taekwondo is a basically a competition between opposing forces, increased power will give a competitor an advantage. Everything else being equal, the one with the most power wins. The ability to strike with power is basic to all Taekwondo training.

Sources

Haun, B. S. (1975). Taekwondo, Singapore: Russ International.

Jee, J. M. (unk.). Introduction to Hapkido. Pasadena, California: International Hapkido Association.

Kim, S. H. (2002). Martial Arts Instructor's Desk Reference: A Complete Guide to Martial Arts Administration. Wethersfield Connecticut: Turtle Press.

Shim, S. K. (1974). Promise and Fulfillment in the Art of Taekwondo. Detroit, MI: S. K. Shim.

Shioda, G. (1974). Dynamic Akido. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd.

Watanabe, J. and Avakian, L. (1974). The Secrets of Judo. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company.