While the word "basic" is used quite freely when describing any MA technique that's taught to those that aren't black belts and the like.

What looks utterly simple isn't just that simple after all. Ask an expert how they do [fill in the blank], and they will tell you...basic practice!

Bad MA can be as simple as basics practiced incorrectly. However, great MA on the other hand is as simple as basics practiced correctly. To remedy bad MA required much more attention to the basics.

The basics by themselves are not enough. Practice will make perfect only if you practice the right stuff the right way. Muscle memory can go two ways: good or bad. The bad muscle memory is almost impossible to correct...almost!

Your thoughts!!

I always explain that everyone SHOULD revisit every technique not just once but many times.

I am after my knee surgery (Torn Meniscus) beginning MY journey again, spending 3 months at every grade re-learning the intricacies of each "BASIC" technique. I will practice ALL kata in my syllabus but for basics it will be a nice 3 year journey for me.

Your 3 year journey will NOT be a wasted one. The basics are the MA roots that must be watered for them to grow stronger.

I'm going through the belts of a new style, I do things similar to my Sensei but different. It's great fun, he never tells me I'm wrong, just different, we learn from each other. What a journey? Exciting and creative, each class is a revelation.

I agree wholeheartedly!!! I tell my students that everything they need to know to pass their Black Belt test can be found in the "basics". I remember the final portion of my first dan test very well...it consisted of horse stance and punching at a pencil that Sensei moved around in front of me-the basics!

All our classes start with the same basics. I told the class the other day that basics are like the Lego blocks of TKD, because we take he basics and then build them into the forms. Good basics transfer to good forms. If basics are good, then learning the forms is a matter of memorization, and not really learning new move. Its learning moves in different orders.

I don't think basics are easy, at first. Anyone teaching a side kick knows this. But, once its learned, like anything, basics require maintenance to keep them up. After a time, basics should appear easy.