I like to get back to basics, basics being the stuff I worked on when I was a white belt... like stepping, punching, kicking.. etc.. reason being is that is the stuff that works as whats already been stated in this thread by Asteer.
People can fantasize about being a ninja and having toes of steel inside your sneakers, that never bothers me. It's when those people cramp my style and interfere with my "path to perfection"... thats when I get pissed.
Perfection vs Functionality by Darren Laur
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JimHawkins
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This whole idea comes from separating the action from the activity. An artificial dojo construct that is false. Very simply it is not possible to separate 'perfection' from 'functional' and also not possible to separate 'perfection' of our technique from the opponent or the tactical situation – the application.
Technique does not exist in a vacuum. Any technique, perfect or otherwise, exists only within the context of application or actual use of said technique. In fact the technique does not truly exist without application. Like a batter showing you his technique for hitting a fast ball, this technique does not exist if there is no fast ball to hit. Air swinging is not a technique or even practice for hitting a fast ball since no ball even exists... It is pretend, imaginary and illusion only.
A sensei may indeed demonstrate perfect mechanics, perfect kata, etc, but without true application on a resisting opponent there is no actual use of a technique or method there is only fantasy, illusion. This is the tendency for some MAs to separate the art or the actions or technique from the opponent - it then becomes my technique, which does not exist without the opponent and his resistance and intent. If one can perform a perfect technique on a resisting opponent, then that WAS a perfect technique, still it does not mean the person "has perfect technique" only that it was performed "perfectly" at that time against that opponent, the same may not be said on another occasion with another person.
"Perfect" dry land swimming is not only not perfect, it's not even swimming.
Technique does not exist in a vacuum. Any technique, perfect or otherwise, exists only within the context of application or actual use of said technique. In fact the technique does not truly exist without application. Like a batter showing you his technique for hitting a fast ball, this technique does not exist if there is no fast ball to hit. Air swinging is not a technique or even practice for hitting a fast ball since no ball even exists... It is pretend, imaginary and illusion only.
A sensei may indeed demonstrate perfect mechanics, perfect kata, etc, but without true application on a resisting opponent there is no actual use of a technique or method there is only fantasy, illusion. This is the tendency for some MAs to separate the art or the actions or technique from the opponent - it then becomes my technique, which does not exist without the opponent and his resistance and intent. If one can perform a perfect technique on a resisting opponent, then that WAS a perfect technique, still it does not mean the person "has perfect technique" only that it was performed "perfectly" at that time against that opponent, the same may not be said on another occasion with another person.
"Perfect" dry land swimming is not only not perfect, it's not even swimming.
Shaolin
M Y V T K F
"Receive what comes, stay with what goes, upon loss of contact attack the line" – The Kuen Kuit
M Y V T K F
"Receive what comes, stay with what goes, upon loss of contact attack the line" – The Kuen Kuit
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JimHawkins
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- Location: NYC
This post may have been a show-stopper, but I would like to add a short rejoinder.JimHawkins wrote:If one can perform a perfect technique on a resisting opponent, then that WAS a perfect technique, still it does not mean the person "has perfect technique" only that it was performed "perfectly" at that time against that opponent, the same may not be said on another occasion with another person.
Many elite athletes, and I would assume martial artists, may go their whole careers and NEVER feel that they have performed perfectly. Even against the resisting opponent mentionned here, the martial artist may reflect afterwards that the opponent could have been defeated with less effort or with less risk. A diver who receives a perfect 10 from the judges may still replay the event and feel that they could have entered the water just a little bit cleaner.
It may sound like I am contradicting my earlier posts, seeing that I insisted that it was important to strive for perfection of the basics and that the pursuit of perfection is not detrimental to functional fighting skill. However, it is not a contradiction in that it is the striving for the perfection, and not the perfection itself, that I think is important. And again, I think it is important to strive to perfect the "basics" and not the "perfect" and subjective execution of the most flowery move of a system or a kata.
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Rick Wilson
Welcome Eternalstudent. 
Perfection and function.
This is a topic that I thought might generate some discussion.
To me I totally agree with the comments made by Darren and I totally disagree.
The issue becomes what we see as seeking perfection. As has been asked on this thread already.
To me perfection is perfect function.
I strive to be as effective as I can be.
As Asteem says this will require a focus and diligent practice of the foundations of our art.
Where perfection becomes a liability is when it loses function.
Now, please do not read into my next statement a criticism of prearranged forms. All good prearranged forms are intended to teach proper function, so my next comment refers to studying prearranged forms incorrectly.
Appearance. When appearance becomes the important factor over function then seeking perfection becomes a liability.
The perfect prearranged form with the perfected chambered strike delivered at a perfect extension just millimetres away from the partner’s face may look wonderful and it certain takes some skill to perform but it has not taught proper function and how crisp and how “nice” the techniques look have overridden proper distancing and proper function.
When appearance is what you are perfecting and not “depth” then you have missed the entire point of martial practice.
And this is what I believe is being addressed in Darren’s article. When appearance replaces function then what is the point? Are we creating a window dressing display or are we teaching a martial art.
What is functional is not always pretty unless function is what you seek then it takes on a grace of a different kind.
From my view I work very hard at generating power in a strike for example. I work very hard at understanding the proper mechanics involved and I seek that perfect strike where it all comes together and all energy is transferred properly.
I seek perfection in my striking.
But that perfection is in the function – delivering a powerful strike.
What it looks like is really immaterial to me. And if in a self protection situation it looks really crappy but the guy goes down then to me it was – perfect.
When I do Kata I listen very closely and I try to experience every movement and every moment taking in all the minute details of every little body movement. This is seeking perfection.
So if perfection is a pretty appearance, then I take function over perfection every time.
So I do seek perfection in my principles but not perfect appearance but perfect function.
But seeking perfect function is something to be enjoyed.
Perfection and function.
This is a topic that I thought might generate some discussion.
To me I totally agree with the comments made by Darren and I totally disagree.
The issue becomes what we see as seeking perfection. As has been asked on this thread already.
To me perfection is perfect function.
I strive to be as effective as I can be.
As Asteem says this will require a focus and diligent practice of the foundations of our art.
Where perfection becomes a liability is when it loses function.
Now, please do not read into my next statement a criticism of prearranged forms. All good prearranged forms are intended to teach proper function, so my next comment refers to studying prearranged forms incorrectly.
Appearance. When appearance becomes the important factor over function then seeking perfection becomes a liability.
The perfect prearranged form with the perfected chambered strike delivered at a perfect extension just millimetres away from the partner’s face may look wonderful and it certain takes some skill to perform but it has not taught proper function and how crisp and how “nice” the techniques look have overridden proper distancing and proper function.
When appearance is what you are perfecting and not “depth” then you have missed the entire point of martial practice.
And this is what I believe is being addressed in Darren’s article. When appearance replaces function then what is the point? Are we creating a window dressing display or are we teaching a martial art.
What is functional is not always pretty unless function is what you seek then it takes on a grace of a different kind.
From my view I work very hard at generating power in a strike for example. I work very hard at understanding the proper mechanics involved and I seek that perfect strike where it all comes together and all energy is transferred properly.
I seek perfection in my striking.
But that perfection is in the function – delivering a powerful strike.
What it looks like is really immaterial to me. And if in a self protection situation it looks really crappy but the guy goes down then to me it was – perfect.
When I do Kata I listen very closely and I try to experience every movement and every moment taking in all the minute details of every little body movement. This is seeking perfection.
So if perfection is a pretty appearance, then I take function over perfection every time.
So I do seek perfection in my principles but not perfect appearance but perfect function.
But seeking perfect function is something to be enjoyed.
