Speed

Types of Speed:

Perceptual Speed: Quickness of eyes to see openings and to discourage the opponent, confusing him and slowing him down.
Mental Speed: Quickness of mind to select the right move to frustrate and counter the opponent.
Initiation Speed: Economical starting from the right posture and with the correct mental attitude.
Performance Speed: Quickness of movement in carrying the chosen move into effect. Involves actual muscle contraction speed.
Alteration Speed: The ability to change direction midstream. Involves control of balance and inertia.

Desirable characteristics to promote speed:

Mobility
Spring, resilience, elasticity
Resistance to fatigue (i.e.: stamina and physical fitness)
Physical and mental alertness
Imagination and anticipation

Exercise which increase skill and flexibility of both hand and footwork are indispensable building blocks for the fighter. Many fighters fail to appreciate how much true speed depends on economy of motion (i.e.: good form and good condition). Thus, constant mechanical drill (practicing the activity is essential. A certain amount of emotional stimulation helps as well.

Elements that make greater speed possible:

# Preliminary warming up to reduce viscosity, increase elasticity and flexibility, and tune the system to a higher physiological tempo (heart rate blood flow and pressure, respiratory adjustment).
# Preliminary muscular tonus and partial contraction.
# A suitable stance.
# Proper attention focus.
# Reduction of stimuli-reception to rapid perceptual habits and reduction of the resultant movement to fast-reacting habit patterns.

Speed is a complex aspect. It includes time of recognizing and time of reacting. The more complex the situation to which one reacts, the slower one is likely to be.

The athlete can accelerate his speed by learning proper awareness (attention focus) and suitable preparatory postures. The rate at which he can contact his muscles is an important aspect in his relative speed.

Certain physical principles govern speed: shortened radius for quicker action, longer are for imparting greater momentum, centering weight for speed in rotation and multiplying speed by sequential but concurrently overlapping movements. The question an individual athlete must answer is what of speed is most effective for his particular work method.

Often, it's not how fast it travels but how soon it gets there that counts.