Arrows in the Air

Perhaps even more fleeting than castles in the sand are arrows in the air.  Now picture how short the lifespan of imaginary arrows in the air are.  Brief indeed.  Despite their quick flight, these imaginary arrows can help guide martial artists towards delivering more power.

Picture an arrow (or vector, if you’re into that sort of thing) coming out of the striking surface you are hitting with.  It should be pointing in the same direction that your striking surface is moving.  So if you’re delivering a straight punch to the sternum, it should be coming straight out of your knuckles, through your partner’s chest and out their back.  Now that you’ve got your arrow, throw the strike again and make sure that all of your body weight is moving in the same direction as that arrow.  By doing this, you’ll add more power to the strike.  Keep your balance as you try this!  Don’t over commit yourself and end up falling on your face.  Move your body in such a way so as to lend your weight to the strike, not lend your body to the floor.