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Martial arts: how to learn any kind of technique

We have already pointed out the best way to learn a technique (related to fighting, strategy, etc.) in the tutorial The best way to study technique: 10 tips, now we want to go forward and propose a practical and functional scheme to acquire theoretical knowledge and transform it into practice.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

A few premises before starting:

This methodology is, in general, valid for (almost) any kind of martial concept (a Chin Na, a breathing method, etc.)
What we want to learn must be consistently evaluated as functional, practicable without danger and above all, not the result of parlor tricks
We will not repeat what we already said in the article mentioned above
…

13 simple learning steps

Here are the steps to follow (nothing absurd, it’s only the right way to achieve a good result with method):

Undergoing the technique – First of all, let’s visualize the technique execution (ideally both with us as the “victim” both performed on others, normally at least 3 times)
Is it clear? – Let’s divide the technique into several consequential steps and let’s ask ourselves if there is a part we did not understand (theory or practice); if the execution is complex or long, let’s write down the phases and our doubts (on a paper, on a notebook or on a smart device)
Change the point of view – If we have problems with the practical application we simply have to visualize the technique again and again but each time from different angles, slowing it down and with the mind focused on the idea of cause-effect
Fill the gaps with the study – Often the most advanced techniques hide concepts and principles that are not visible to the naked eye and completely out of the reach of a beginner’s intuition; if we have doubts about the theory (everything behind the obvious) we must focus on the unclear parts and fill our knowledge gaps (through courses, questions to experts, etc.); after that, we have to review the technique again
Is our body / mind the limit? – When we are certain that we have understood at least the general theory, we have to ask ourselves if we have the psycho-physical skills necessary for its execution; we must discover what our gap is (musculature, flexibility, spatial intelligence, precision, etc.)
Plan a path – If we realize that we are currently unable to execute the technique, we must (in agreement with an instructor) split the acquisition of the technique into multiple development phases and establish the necessary psycho-physical training for each of them
Start trying the technique – When we are certain that we possess all the requirements, we can finally go for the first-person practice but in a simplified context (no partner’s resistance, slow pace, no obstacles, etc.)
Are there problems? – If we find theoretical difficulties during the practice (which we had previously not imagined) we must go back to step 4; if instead we find troubles in applying the theory to the practice, we must go back to step 6
Film ourselves – Filming ourselves is incredibly useful, first to discover the difference between what we think we are doing and what we truly are doing and second, to have material to confront us with an instructor and correct the errors (many of which we do not even imagine, read also Measure ourselves with errors)
Increase the difficulty – When we can easily apply the technique in a simplified context, we must gradually increase the difficulty (different partners, non-collaborative, obstacles in the scenario, application during sparring, etc.)
Is it working? – If we can not make the technique work effectively in these “more realistic” contexts (read The 6 types of martial clash), we just have to go back to step 6
Technique acquired – When we can instinctively apply the technique even in complex contexts the knowledge is acquired (by our mind and our body) but our work is far from finished
Optimization – The last stage (the longest) is the customization one; whether it is a basic technique (or one that we intend to add to our personal fighting style), we must insist on tests, constant training, increasing difficulties (etc.); the idea is to endlessly optimize it through experience

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A note by Master Kongling – It is important to understand that not all the techniques are worth all of this effort, this path is the most effective choice for that small set of moves that we plan to make part of our personal combat game. There is no point in trying to achieve excellence in hundreds of techniques: it is impossible, better to master a few but perfectly. As for all the remaining ones, it is clear that they must be gradually known and tested (also to learn to deal with them) but it is not intelligent to waste more time than necessary to understand their basic dynamics.

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

Any combat technique alone is useless, without serious basic training in martial arts that develops combat instinct, quick reasoning, spatial intelligence (etc.), we are simply losing time (read How to use martial arts in a real fight)
It is important to understand that acquiring a technique does not mean seeing it once on a video, on a book or on an internship nor executing it 1-2 times; if it is worth it, we are talking about thousands of not-passive executions (read Martial arts: the secret for the perfect training)
Interiorizing a technique means studying it, de-engineering it, applying it, and deploying it in depth, all the other “shortcuts” are pure delusions
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In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu exercises – A preparation to apply combat techniques in a dynamic context
Advanced speed and reflexes training – A course to learn how to improve combat speed day by day
Mind self-control hacks – How to make our mind stronger and smarter to reach our goals
Basic free hand fighting techniques – All the basic fighting techniques of 6 Dragons Kung Fu
Chin Na: principles and learning – A visual course about the Chin Na fundamentals
Muscle chain for martial arts: how to – How to connect the power of all the body elements into one
Advanced combat tactics – How to build good quality strategies made of interchangeable tactics

In-depth articles

4 Tips to effectively apply any fighting technique – The 4 key factors for a perfect combat application
Chin Na – What are these Kung Fu combat techniques?

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

What is the “most difficult” technique you learned?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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