I was thinking about this today:

What separates a student's technique from a expert's? I thought for an hour or so and I came up with this.

After learning the correct upper body movements and the basics of applying the hips to a technique, the next thing to learn is how to shift the bodyweight in conjunction with the rest of the movement's in the technique.

Learning the correct body weight shift is the key to generating some serious power in a technique. I believe this is what separates the technique from who practices and art and someone who has "mastered" an art. (Not that is truly possible to master anything but you get what I mean)

I have observed many students of martial arts and have come to this conclusion. Why do so many students lack proper bodyweight shift in their technique? It is the most difficult part to teach and I feel too few teachers know how to correctly shift their own bodyweight.

After you have learned the arm and shoulder movements of a technique (upperbody technique is my example) and have learned to move your feet properly (if its part of the technique) then you have to start to shifting your bodyweight correctly. An incorrect bodyweight shift can steal power from your technique or even make it ineffective or slow.

With a knowledgable instuctor who can teach proper bodyweight shift, I think you can become proficient in a quarter or less time than it would take another student who isn't taught bodyweight shift and has to spend years figuring it out on his or her own.

Guys, tell me if you think I hit the nail on the head or if I missed. This is just a theory I've developed while mowing the lawn with a push mower (an excellent training tool for rooting practice and bodyweight shift).

I think you've missed. But luckily you didn't bend the nail.

I developed my fingers to deliver accurate pressure point death touches by typing on the keyboard.

Posting on forums is actually part of my training.

Remeber to properly hit the shift button...

I'm very proficient with an electric mower. I play sticky hands with the cord.

I've developed a death grip from years of stroking my turkey neck. As far as keyboard combat training is concerned, my understanding is that the Ctrl-Alt-Delete is the most highly regarded and effective form of death touch. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think its effectiveness is due to that third finger that seemingly comes from nowhere and you can't see it until it's too late.

Hi,

I dunno, when I hit the mouse pad; I'm always looking for a caps lock...

Jeez, I've reached a new plateau of cheezy.

Josh

I cool off afterwards with a Tab.

There needs to be a support group for this kind of thing, I can't stop looking at my keyboard for more crappy stuff to write...

Hmmm, interesting responses. It seems that I greatly overestimated the level of intelligence by the average poster. If all I did was mow the lawn to develop my skill in fighting I would applaud your comments. However, the last time I checked with a stop watch I could punch someone 7+ times in one second with considerable power. When I punch my hands are a blur. That type of speed usually doesn't result from only mowing the lawn. (Lawn mowing requires you to push the mower with your hands while walking, it actually can be done as a modified type of stickyhands while moving)

Anyway, I was hoping for some serious discussion of bodyweight shift in conjuction with technique and how it is the key to developing real power in a technique. If anyone wants to actually talk about it, I'll glady discuss it.

Seriously...

I'm in the tree trimming business, but I don't use any equipment, just my hands. I grab the branches and break them clean with my hands. It's given me a monstrous grip. I can grab and break 8 branches in one minute. The thickest branch I every "snatched and broke" was about 3 inches in diameter. I highly recommend this training.

The only caution I would recommend for would be barehanded tree trimmers is not to wear black ninja outfits while tree trimming. The neighbors get freaked out and call the cops.

Hmmm, "um...yeah...I'll gladly have a discussion with a snot nosed kid." Sounds like a bit of sarcasm to me. I wonder why you would respond like that. Perhaps you don't have anything useful to add to this discussion at all. If this is the case I respectfully request that you avoid posting on this thread again.

By the way, how much smarter (expressed in a percentage of I.Q. points) does someone have to be than the person they are verbally sparring with to be properly called a "snot nosed kid"?

a bit?

that's a just a nice way of me calling you a pendejo.

Pinche, ijo de puta.

Isn't the internet amazing! We can insult each other while maintaining our anonymity via the magic of internet message board usernames.

I'm not quite sure of your spanish. I got the part of you calling me a jerk. But the part about the something of a prostitute lost me.

¡Usted conejo tonto, artes marcial es para hombres!

Bruce Leroy,

(Why did you modify one of your posts instead of just adding a new post?)

I always thought that running around in a black ninja costume was the only way to travel at night. Anything else would be suspicious and might draw the police.

By the way, I read somewhere (maybe blackbelt magazine) that a guy dressed in a black ninja costume with a samurai sword killed a gay exotic dancer.

I thought you liked reading Better Homes and Gardens?

The reason I said "(maybe blackbelt magazine)" was because I couldn't remeber if it was blackbelt, inside kung fu, or even taekwondo times (which sucks by the way, I'm qualified to say this because I've met the guy who publishes it and his students, its full of b.s. and is one huge advertisement for his school)

I guess no one wants to discuss bodyweight shift in conjuction with technique. I think the only way for this thread to be saved is if Tim posts something on the subject. (PLEASE TIM, SAVE THE THREAD!)

But I thought you've forgotten more than most master will ever know? Shouldn't you know it all, already?

Pendejo!

Mont,
Once tree trimming ninjas come into play, any thread would be hard to save.

I agree that knowing how to shift your bodyweight to put your mass into your technique is a hallmark of trained fighters in most all styles of MA.

"Mastery" of a technique is more than the correct use of bodyweight alone. The alignment of the body, timing, accuracy, sensitivity, maintenance of balance and especially the ability to continuously adapt to changing circumstances need to be included.

Mont, How much do you charge for yardwork?

Tim,

I agree that alignment, timing, accuracy and the others you listed are all also essential but my point was that these things are grasped by most martial artists to at least some degree. It's that all these things multiply the power generated by putting your body weight behind a technique.

How often have all of us seen someone do amazing looking forms and such with speed, snap, excellent form and all but lack power when sparring because they can't apply their bodyweight? In the search to apply bodyweight to a technique, alignment is an essential part of it.

Could a Judoka throw someone heavier with ease unless when he creates a pivot with his hip he also shifts his bodyweight properly to maximize his strength?