Potential Doesn't Produce!!

[OneKickWonder]

Still, thinking logically, it seems unlikely that a person would have negative current skill or be able to apply negative effort over some unit time, at least as I have conceived effort to be actions taken towards self betterment. The minimum a person could have or apply respectively would be zero.

While acknowledging the sentiment and subtleties of your equation, and playing devil's advocate with tongue in cheek humour, there is a serious point here.

I believe negative progress is in fact possible. And in some cases probably more likely than some might think.

Consider this very real scenario. A person joins a new club after training for some time in other styles. This person, at the time of joining, is quite well practiced in low techniques like foot sweeps, high techniques like various head shots, take downs and some basic grappling.

Now let's say their new style has a rule set that says all foot techniques should be practiced high, to develop strength and flexibility. Head shots are barred in sparring, as are grappling and take downs.

Over time, with effort, the individual becomes better, within the confines of the rules, but their muscle memory for the now prohibited techniques starts to decay. Sure they can still do it in isolation, but their ability to do it against resistance declines.

So if we're talking about progress in a particular system, yes I agree. But if we're taking more generally about progress as a martial artist, I suspect it is possible to unintentionally unlearn skills.

Real world example. Years ago when I trained wado (absolutely no criticism of wado, it's an awesome style), I was a kid at the time. As a kid, full contact was banned. Even against pads. I remember thinking even back then that while I'm becoming faster and more accurate with my techniques, but I'm developing the habit of pulling back at the moment of contact rather than powering through. It did cross my mind that if ever I had to use it, if out if force of habit I pulled back on contact, that would make me a worse fighter than I was before I trained in anything.

[JR 137]

“Remember, the saddest thing in life is wasted talent. You could have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t do the right thing, then nothing happens.”

~ Lorenzo, “A Bronx Tale”

Talent and potential are one in the same in this thread IMO.

Both don't mean that one can produce; actions have to occur.

One needs to look no further than Mike Tyson vs “Buster” Douglas. Tyson quite possibly could’ve been the best that ever lived. Part of the problem was he knew he was the “baddest man on the planet.” Buster Douglas? A 42-1 underdog. Douglas and his team put together a solid plan, and Douglas worked his tail off. Tyson allegedly trained for 3 day’s for that fight. 3 DAYS.

‘Nuff said.