Technique - The Efficiency of Movement

[bushido_man96]

We had a grading last night at our dojang, rather small one, but they all have been lately. Despite that, it was a good testing, and the school owner and I were the judges. Throughout our testing, we usually take notes on various things we notice, along with jotting down the testing scores on the material at hand, as I'm sure most instructors do. At the end of testing, we'll address these with the students and audience.

As per usual, technique usually comes up in some way, shape or form, and last night, the CI was discussing it. While he was making his points, it kind of struck me that we talk about technique a lot; good technique vs bad technique, how we want techniques done, etc. Although we tend to know it when we see it, we don't really but a face to the name, so to speak. So while he was addressing his point, I had one of those "a ha" moments that Bob (sensei8) mentions, and I addressed with the students.

I defined technique for them as "the efficiency of movement," and now that I've thought on it a bit more, I think I would amend that to "the efficiency and application of movement." We see good technique as fluid movement that allows the technique to be performed with precision, power, economy of movement, etc. We see proper technique as the way that allows movements to have speed and power generated through them. It's also usually done in a direct manner, thus the efficiency aspect.

I'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts on the matter. I've always thought about good technique, and I feel like I can teach good techniques, but I'd never really verbalized it out loud in this way. Anyone else have a thought like this, or do you have a different analogy for defining technique? I'd love to hear the discussion.

[DWx]

I think its a difficult one to define and its going to mean different things in different styles. That said for me I'm looking for correct start and correct end, but more importantly the way that the student gets to the end.

In ITF TKD I feel like the "9 training secrets" we have covers a lot of what good technique should and shouldn't be. We talk about eyes, hands, feet, breath in a single coordinated action. Having "backward motion" to every movement, i.e. relaxing before moving. Having soft knees during the movement etc.

[bushido_man96]

I think its a difficult one to define and its going to mean different things in different styles. That said for me I'm looking for correct start and correct end, but more importantly the way that the student gets to the end.

I agree. I also think one can differentiate between defining a technique, and in defining what technique is in general. I think there is lots of room for exploration there.

[sensei8]

Efficiency of movement is to take the most direct path to said target, whether the target be a defensive and/or offensive one. To be efficient in anything is to strive for lessening any wasted movements. The most direct path to any said target is a straight line.

In a nutshell.

[bushido_man96]

This is true, Bob, but at times, there are obstructions in the way, so taking a less direct route can be necessary at times.

[sensei8]

This is true, Bob, but at times, there are obstructions in the way, so taking a less direct route can be necessary at times.

Absolutely!!

I apologize if I made it seem that the direct path was the only path. Obstructions are always there in one way or another, and we're forced to deal with said obstructions to our best. The path that's most effective is the one that allows one to reach said target, whether is be straight or not.