What is more important strength or speed, reflexes?

Question

who would win a fighter with maximum strength or maximum speeed

Answer 1

Strength.

Answer 2

Full Disclosure:  I have great reflexes and and quick, but I'm not very strong - my thoughts are certainly biased based on my experience, but that said, here it my opinion:

First of all, lets assume that maximum speed DOESN'T imply minimum strength - the speedy person hits alot harder than a feather.

Also, lets assume that maximum strength DOESN'T imply minimum speed - the strong guy moves alot faster than a slug.

Now that we have a semi realistic hypothetical situation, I prefer speed over strength.  Speed gets you out of the way to avoid strikes and to squirm out of holds.  Sure, you might need to land more blows, but again, fast doesn't mean you hit like a mosquito - your blows still have force and power, just not as much as the strong guy.

If I had to choose, the important qualities I'd have in order of preference are:

Reflexes/Speed

Timing

Accuracy/Precision

Flexibility/Coordination

Power/Strength

Its not like to take a 10 in speed that you have to take a 0 in power - everyone seems to imply that but its not true.  That situation is just a variation on the immovable object vs. the irresistible force.  By definition, its an un-solvable problem.

That said, if it takes me 10 blows and I have to avoid 5, I'd rather do that than have to soak 10 blows to land 5....  Where did the blows land I wonder?  One blow in the right spot, regardless of power, and its all over anyway so...

Besides, if you have speed, coordination and accuracy, you HAVE power.  Power isn't as much about how much you can bench press when it comes to a punch, its more about the whole package - bench pressing ability being one (and a minor one) of many factors.

Answer 3

Well without reflexes, it does not matter if your fast or strong, as you will still get hit. Maximum strength can only be acheived with maximum speed, so I would say speed is more important than strength

http://www.markstraining.com Fighting and Training Methods for Unarmed Martial Artists.

Answer 4

It would all depend on the martial arts they know, With speed if a person knew Mauy Thai, Tae Kwon Do or some Kung Fu styles then speed would be the more important thing.

If it was say Judo and the like then strength would play a more important role. But most martial arts tend to lean towards speed in my opinion.

Answer 5

The more important thing than either strength or speed is talent, and the willingness and desire to hurt someone.  Whether it's for self- defense, competition, or any other reason, the reality is that you have to have the courage, the talent, and the discipline to be able to hurt someone more than they can hurt you.  Skill in one certain area of fighting isn't necessarily more important than another area.  You should be more concerned about your skill development in all areas equally, so your focus is on being a well-rounded fighter.  You do this to compensate when someone may be faster than you, but you have more strength, or vice-versa.  You should really look at it this way, so you can focus on all skill areas and decide how much emphasis you bring into your training and what you decide to work on.  Just remember, you never stop learning and you can always get better, stronger, faster, etc.

Answer 6

If all else is the same, and they have no weapons, the strength person would win.  One hit would end the fight.

If they had weapons, the speed guy would win.  He could stab the stronger guy to death.

A slower person can beat a faster person if the slower person has better timing and technique.  Often times, people who are faster spend so much time relying on their speed that they set themselves up for something stupid.  They leave an opening or get into a position that is so bad that even their superior speed cannot get them out of it.  Watch some videos of a snapping turtle fighting another animal.

Answer 7

The fact is, phsyical attributes are only needed to a certain extent, true if you have superior physical attributes, are stronger, and faster than your opponant, you have more of a chance of winning. Unless they have the ability to use what is required, when required. What you need isnt speed or strength, you need aggressiveness and explosiveness which fits more probably with reflexes. It matters on there timing. timing is everything, and beleive me, a slow assed fighter can beat a fast one by throwing off there rhythm and timing, and vice versa.

Answer 8

Go with the power!!

Answer 9

Speed, strength people can hit, so keep moving they are usually too slow