How long it really takes to "learn" a martial art:

[iolair]

If it takes 10000 repetitions to "own" a technique (a commonly quoted figure, though not scientifically backed up as far as I know), how long do you reckon it takes to achieve competence in an art? How much time does all that practice need to add up to?

 

Let's go for kickboxing, as I can sum up common/essential techniques pretty well off the top of my head... Jab, Cross, Hook, Uppercut, Front kick, Roundhouse, Side kick... that bunch will see you through most situations if you're good enough at them. Just from my own tastes, I'll add in the Hook Kick too. Individual techniques are pretty lame on their own, so let's add in, say, 12 simple combinations of these essential techniques. Finally, simple defensive moves need to be drilled just as well: slips, laybacks, ducking, shoulder raise, leg block, inside and outside parries. You also need to practice your footwork, but we'll assume for now you combine that with the techniques. That brings us up to a total of 27 techniques to practice 10000 times each, or 270000 repetitions by the time we've done the whole lot.

 

In an intensive workout or training session, let's say you have 30 minutes technique time (the rest made up with cardio, sparring, stretching etc etc). We'll say you spend a third of the time resting or moving between techniques, which gives you twenty minutes when you're actively practicing them. Let's call it a technique or combo drilled every second (maybe generous, but it'll do as a starting point). Our remaining 20 minutes = 20 x 60 seconds = 1200 seconds, 1200 repetitions.

 

If we divide the 270000 repetitions required by the 1200 techniques per training session, it suggests that the number of sessions needed to master the basics is 225. If we assume that a diligent martial artist should have a session that includes all his basics three times every week, then we need 75 weeks, or about one and a half years, to master the basics of an art.

 

Anyone think these figures relate to reality?

 

 

 

By the way, can anyone give me a figure of the total number of techniques (including movement and defence) for their art: (a) for the essential techniques of the art, and (b) the complete art.

[granmasterchen]

techniques alone would get you into the hundreds easily in my art....along with most arts.....not to include other things like forms and self defenses, weapons, pressure points and so forth

 

it takes a life time to learn an art, if your lucky. But if you are looking at just the basics.....i would say the level of black belt is usually where you have learned the basics of an art.

[equaninimus]

I've been at this for 23 years, and while I possess competent technique, I don't feell like I Really "know" karate-do. Maybe one never does!

[ramymensa]

Those number are not always usefull in this matter. It's important how these sessions are done, how you train and so on. Anyway I go for the idea that you keep learning, though after some years of study you can attain a level of proficiency.

[granmasterchen]

you never stop learning, there is always some thing higher and greater to obtain through your training in the arts, that is why it is an art in the first place, or at least one reason why it is.....

 

the ideal is to practice enough so that it is more of a reflex and reaction, an instinct to move into a technique rather than to have to think about what you are doing, but then that is still a reaction and not mastery.....i dont think such a thing exists.

 

mastery as we look at is to perfect a technique and perfection just cant be obtained, it can always be better in some way or form, just look at Billy Banks, the taebo guy, he does fantastic forms, and he always tries to do something better and better each time, where others see perfection he sees something where he still needs to improve....so think about that...

[White Warlock]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

[JerryLove]

I've been at this for 23 years, and while I possess competent technique, I don't feell like I Really "know" karate-do. Maybe one never does!

 

Here's the basic problem with that... it means that no one who teaches the art actually "knows" it.

 

If we assume that new knowledge about an art does not come from ephiphany, then we have a problem trying to assert that an art is any more than the sum of what the people who do it know.

[Sasori_Te]

As the old masters used to say, you may get it in one minute or never. It varies with an individual and what they expect to get out of their art. Learn in this scenario is a very vague term.

[SevenStar]

your first problem is you're trying to figure out how long it will take you to master. Don't worry about that - just train. those figures will vary greatly. For example, my classes are 2.5 hours, so I get way more than 30 mins of techniques - time spent per session, number of sessions per week, number of techniques in the system, forms... bah. just do it.

[Red J]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

 

one....two....three....crunch....three....

 

Now applying my answer from the Warlock's question to the original question of how long does it take to gain competence in an art, I would answer three....