Leg Drive?

[Dan]

Leg Drive seems an important characteristic, particularly in martial arts. I would have thought that running(esp. sprinting) would be an important training tool for martial arts, since running is such a crucial movement (in terms of being fairly 'organic'). Yet, when I look at martial arts training programs, they seem to incoporate either old-school road work or no running at all (i.e. no sprinting). Am I missing something?

[Coach Flanagan]

The biomechanics of running are not nearly close enough to the biomechanics of martial arts movements to trigger a strong training effect. Leg Drive is certainly important, but not in the way in which running prepares you for. If you are preparing for a tournment in which you are fighting several times over a day or even a weekend, some long slow distance cardio such as running is necessary to get your body ready for being under distress for a long period of time. Also, if your martial arts practiced is focused on self-defense, than certainly the ability to run away fast and for long distances can be an excellent attribute to delvier yourself and your loved ones out of harms way.

For leg drive for combative applications, try Double Cleans with Clubbells. That is a great drill to teach you how to integreate your leg drive and hip recruitment to be able to deliver force for throwing and striking.

[Dan]

Thanks Sean

Specificty is a good answer. I was thinking that running is so primal the body probably needs a little to stay in tune.