Idiotic? Bit harsh... most people would think that would work. I was suprised by the fact it doesn't.
practice ball throws, medicine balls or whatever, go throw rocks into the ocean, perfect your punching technique, learn to control and time your muscles thats when to squeeze your palm at the right moment, work with mitts, shadowbox, skipping role also helps since it works your shoulder joints...also, learn to throw a punch fast, and bring your hands back even faster, it helps to develop that 'snap' and from there it actually feels faster i dont know if this is old school or modern...more like anything goes
i think traditional methods would include primitive resistance- like punching underwater, maybe weighted training- light that is, repetitions, pucnhing fast simply, and unorthodox things like juggling (dont laugh - ive seen it)- even roy plays air hockey to practise his speed and eye co-ordination. new school methods include rubber band resistance- which is popoular now, and plyometrics, etc.
ultimately though- the key to speed is technique. and of course ability. but alot is technique- alot of punchers- heavy pucnhers- throw heavy all the way. but a punch that is fast- is like a snap- like a kung fu punch- a chain as bruce lee put it. u relax your arms (but keep a fist) and then snap out. try comparing yourself throwing as hard as you can- to yourself throwing as relaxed as you can- you'll notice that the relaxed is smoother, more correct and fluid- and faster. and of course force equals mass times acceleration- so basically the faster u throw the harder you'll hit.
going on- you throw relaxed- and then at the last instant firm up- creating a whip like effect. its like whipping a towel . if you swing it at something it wont go very hard- but if u whip it- u can hurt some serious locker room arse
I like the rubber tube training ideas, those are surely effective methods. I have tried this in the past myself. Plyometric training is an interesting concept, as far as I know it generally increases Type IIa muscle fibers, whereas handspeed will come from Type IIb (the 'fastest twitch' fibers). Any further ideas on how to target these muscle groups for speed are welcome.
Simply Axe, Speed initially comes from where the Head is as regards Oral perception and stability. What ever we do as action has to beat Gravity, correct posture is a must. Without it the arms and upper back has a Problem in as much as the Muscle Nuerons, already have a response. That is the major flaw in response adaptability, which has a Domino effect throughout the Nueromuscular system.
Like you said scrap, I've been focusing more on the elbow in practising movements and have found a lot more control and speed in technique. With regards to defeating gravity, I have elastics and do short repetitions of front and side holds and have found immediately after combinations feel a lot fresher and less forced. I imagine the long term affects of doing this will help a lot in stabilizing your overall stance especially shoulders. With feel you definitely feel a strong connection with feet, core and shoulders while doing those exercises.
Show me a Fighter that Boxes with His Chin down Ill show you a Fighter who Hasnt got speed of Hand and movement and is easy to Read. His Psycchodinamics arnt right, so the Noeromuscular system isnt working as it should.