What Are You More A Proponent Of??

[sensei8]

In your opinion...

What's more important...

Proper Execution OR Effectiveness??

Can one survive without the other?!?!?!?!

I can look good while executing any said technique(s), but that doesn't mean that my technique(s) are effective.

As always, I look forward to your thoughts.

[Harkon72]

There are whole styles that look good with perfect technique but they are never tested at the very least out side their style, in combat or with any other eyes than the converted faithful. This can give a strong false confidence in the style's effectiveness. Knife defenses are an example of this; they look perfect in the Dojo; you know he has a knife, you can see it, he attacks you with a single strike the same way as generations of adepts before him. A crazed knifeman in the dark who feels no pain and attacks like he's trying to make ribbons of your body would be a fatal reality for many. Martial Arts is about execution, but Spirit is more important than Technique and Survival by Effectiveness transcends the need for any Dogma and Technical Tradition. Tradition is here because of Effectiveness, but the need for Reality is paramount in a world of Martial Arts where credibility comes second at times to Profit.

[muttley]

Effectiveness and spirit are what counts from a self protection point of view. Certain techniques can look lovely and flowing but if they don't work in the real world when the brown stuff hits that fan, what use are they?

As Geoff Thompson once said: "I've learnt thousands of techniques in training, how disappointed was I when I realised that the one that worked for me was a simple right cross".

[Lupin1]

Obviously the eventual goal is to get to both, but in the mean time it might be the judoka in me, but I'd rather you be able to make it work than strive for perfection. Oftentimes when people strive for perfection, when they mess up the tiniest thing, they stop and retry or go back and try something new rather than working with what they've got. You've got to learn to do what you can with what you have rather than with what you wish you had.

Improvise, Adapt and Overcome. I might even make that my signature. 'Bout time I made one...

[Harkon72]

I've had to learn that lesson, my body at the age it is cannot perform what my mind wants it to at times. I need to know my limits by utilizing the talents that I have. Good Post!

[yamesu]

There are whole styles that look good with perfect technique but they are never tested at the very least out side their style, in combat or with any other eyes than the converted faithful. This can give a strong false confidence in the style's effectiveness. Knife defenses are an example of this; they look perfect in the Dojo; you know he has a knife, you can see it, he attacks you with a single strike the same way as generations of adepts before him. A crazed knifeman in the dark who feels no pain and attacks like he's trying to make ribbons of your body would be a fatal reality for many. Martial Arts is about execution, but Spirit is more important than Technique and Survival by Effectiveness transcends the need for any Dogma and Technical Tradition. Tradition is here because of Effectiveness, but the need for Reality is paramount in a world of Martial Arts where credibility comes second at times to Profit.

VERY solid post IMO.

[ps1]

I have no idea what it means to have proper execution if the technique is not effective.

To me, the sole purpose of any move is to be effective. So execution of the technique is not proper if it does not lead to the appropriate result.

[Wastelander]

As long as "proper execution" makes the technique effective, then I am more a proponent of proper execution. On the other hand, if "proper execution" does not make a technique more effective, then I am more a proponent of making it effective despite "improper execution".

[bushido_man96]

I would go with effectivness. One could say they go hand in hand, but I don't think that is always the case. A properly executed technique should be the most effective means of performing that technique.

[yamesu]

I would go with effectivness. One could say they go hand in hand, but I don't think that is always the case. A properly executed technique should be the most effective means of performing that technique.

But this can change dependent upon the scenario, positioning, height and weight?

A boxing instructor will tell you how to throw a perfect hook punch, but not everyone that gets KO'd via hook punch is hit with the perfect form.

Often it will be the one that connects that makes execution proper, not following strict technique.

Im not saying that we should not train for and strive for perfection in technique, but effectiveness to me encompasses adaptability.