What kind of basics do you practice

As I was doing some sword training today, I reflected on why my instructor only taught a few select movements, why we always went with the same foot forward and the same right-handed grip on the sword.  As I experimented with different footing, grips, etc, I realized that my mastery over the simple movements had a long way to go.  In many cases, I believe the mastery of simple movements leads to extremely desirable results.

The physics of a sword dictate that to maximize a cut, the path of the sword must maintain a straight line following the edge of the sword.  Any deviation of power to the side reduces stroke's effectiveness.  So, if you waver an inch to one side, it's easy to see the cut will be weak.  How about half an inch, a tenth of an inch, or even a hundredth of an inch?  The smaller that deviation, the better the cut.  I wonder how many years of practicing a single cut over and over would it take to keep the sword within a hundredth of an inch of a straight line of travel. 

This then, is why I believe we only worked on a few basics.  The idea is to master these few basics to significant effect, rather than quantity of technique to less effect.

I still practice some of those off hand movements as part of a fitness regimen, but I think if we better understand the methods of teaching handed to us, in any endeavor, we can better adapt that method to meet our own goals.  If I trained additional techniques without understanding the reason for mastering basics, I would have a false impression of my real capability.  With that understanding, however, I am more capable at orchestrating my training program.  I'm sure there are many other things I have yet to understand.

While I have no real examples, I have read excerpts that lead me to believe this concept is mirrored in leadership and business.

Comments

[Adam]

Absolutely right you are bud. When you join our karate school, we teach the beginner basics: punch, kick, fighting stance, and some of the stances for the katas. Nearly every class you attend after that will touch on those. From beginner to intermediate, to advanced, to black belts, we still do the basic kicks and punches and still critique your form and stances. It's the same with weapons as well; constantly reviewing the basics.