My earlier video on mastering the basics upset a few martial arts instructors, some of their students and a handful of boxing coaches. Good. In this video lesson I go through some of the insults that came my way, give my replies, and add more information on why the basics deserve far more respect than most people give them.

This one is for anyone who trains, teaches or coaches and wants an honest look at what the fundamentals really are.

Why the Basics Upset People

Nobody likes being told that the foundations of their art are weak. It is much more comfortable to keep adding new techniques, new forms and new belts. But if your stance, your balance, your guard and your basic strikes are poor, everything you build on top of them is poor too.

That is not an insult to anyone. It is simply how the body works. A punch that comes from a bad base is a weak punch, however many years you have been throwing it. A lock done from poor position is a lock that fails when the other person resists.

What I Mean by the Basics

When I talk about the basics I am not talking about beginner material you leave behind. I mean the things that never stop mattering:

  • Balance and a solid base, so you can hit and move without falling over
  • A guard that protects you without you having to think about it
  • Using the whole body for power, not just the arm
  • Correct distance and angle, so your technique can actually land
  • Breathing and staying relaxed under pressure

The best fighters I have worked with are not the ones who know the most techniques. They are the ones who do the simple things extremely well, every single time.

How to Use Criticism

Criticism is useful if you test it. When someone tells you that you are wrong, do not just argue. Go and try it. Put both methods on the bag, on the pads or with a partner and see which one is faster, more powerful, more balanced and safer. The answer usually becomes obvious very quickly.

I say the same to my own students. Do not take my word for anything. Test it. If it works under pressure, keep it. If it does not, drop it. That is how you get better, and it is how the basics earn their place.

If you are an instructor, the same applies to your students. Your job is not to protect your ego, it is to make them better fighters. Sometimes that means going back to the basics and fixing them properly.

Take It Further

If you want to build your fundamentals the right way, start with the FREE Pressure Point Fighting Mini-Course. For hands-on correction from me, look at Private Mentoring, where we can work through your basics in detail.