This training tips video is about power in strikes. It is of vital importance that you learn how to hit really hard. Technique, timing and pressure points all matter, but if there is no power behind the strike, none of them will save you.

It is for martial artists and self-defence students who have plenty of technique but feel their strikes lack real impact.

Why Power Matters

In a real situation you may only land one or two strikes. They have to count. A light, accurate strike on a pressure point is good in a demonstration. Under pressure, against a big, adrenalised attacker, you want the same accuracy with real power behind it.

Power also covers your mistakes. If you miss the exact point by a little, a hard strike still does a lot of work. A soft one does very little.

Where Power Comes From

Hard hitting does not come from big arms. It comes from the whole body working together:

  • The feet push into the ground
  • The legs and hips turn and drive
  • The body stays relaxed so the movement is fast
  • The strike travels through the target, not to the surface of it
  • Everything arrives at the same moment

When I talk about waveform power, this is what I mean: a short, relaxed movement that sends energy through the body and into the target, without a big wind-up.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is tension. People tighten up to hit hard and end up slower and weaker. Others swing with the arm alone, lean in off balance, or stop the strike at the surface. Some train only for speed or only for technique and never actually practise hitting hard.

How To Train It

Use a heavy bag or pads, because you cannot train real power in the air. Start with single strikes, focusing on relaxed, whole-body movement. Then work short combinations. Keep your balance at the end of every strike. When training with a partner, use pads and protection, keep control, and never hit a partner's head or neck hard.

Take It Further

If striking power is what you want, Power Black is built around it. For power in a boxing context, the Learn To Box Online Course shows how to generate it with good technique.