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Talent is Useless Without Training - Thank Goodness
Article by Martin Day
Some of my students have immersed themselves into training with other systems like Shotokan and Kung Fu. Since the day they started training with me, they have hammered themselves and worked their backsides off and I am pleased to say have great attitudes.
At the other end of the scale though, some of the worst students I have trained also come from Shotokan and Kung Fu. They are the maniacs who want it all straight away and end up failing to master not a flippin thing. You can’t tell them about the BIG mistakes they are making week after week because they are completely obsessed with themselves and in their mind are the best at everything.
As an instructor / coach you will encounter these people and all you will want to do is give them a bit of a slap and get rid of them. Thankfully, they don’t last and they will leave of their own accord.
Techniques that I have taken years to develop and master are contained in my Uncensored Elite Unarmed Combat and Killer Power Kicks & Punches DVDs and Defend Yourself book.
When passing my knowledge on to these “slappers”, the first thing they would do is get excited about what they were seeing. Secondly, they would practice half a dozen times or so. Thirdly, here’s the crunch, they would stop practicing and say “When are you going to teach me something else?” and / or “Look, I have added a new technique on, it’s easier to do!”
What do you think I replied? “Who do you think you are?”
I’d say “If you want to run the class fine, if not get practicing or get out... now!”
Had numerous students who had ZILCH experience in any Martial Arts – they were always white belt beginners. Yet when you showed them a combination, you could see that they were already planning to do it their own way. When they partnered up to practice the combination demonstrated, the surprise was that they were working on something completely different, not even close. About as much as George Bush resembles Hugh Grant. They waste so much time trying to “be creative” when they should be working on the syllabus in front of them.
Here’s the thing: be creative by all means but not to the detriment of progression. As Mark Twain said “Talent is useless without training, thank God.” Or should it be in this case “Being creative is useless without mastering the basics first.” If you want to prove how creative you are to your teacher and fellow students then do it after you have mastered the basics and hammered the opposition.
Keep learning though and there will be occasions in training when you will get a jolt about something that you haven’t been taught. This “jolt” is unlikely to happen as a beginner, you know what they say – the chances of this happening is beyond hope, Bob Hope and no hope and Bob isn’t with us any more.
It’s the same for more experienced students as well. The majority of techniques out there today perceived as unique or brand new are not at all – they have been around for a long time.
Let’s look at the front kick as an example. Many people call it a push kick or stop kick. It’s still the same kick. Some people think that you should do this kick with the “guard down” – which by the way is something I don’t advise as you are more prone to getting hit to the upper body as you have no protection.
But the reality is that the Front Kick done with the guard up may be new to many practitioners, and even if it is, don’t forget that it is nothing new. It’s been there for ages.
When you go to school, before you are taught to read and write, you have to learn the alphabet. The same with maths – you have to learn your tables before you are able to do the sums. When you train in Martial Arts and combat sports it’s the same.
Don’t run (creatively), before you can walk.
Be the best you can be!
Special Forces Combat Instructor
International Karate Master
About The Author
Martin Day is a battle hardened ex British Army veteran, now 5th Dan Karate Champion and author of many strength and fitness publications. For his FREE Report "Secrets of Fighting Fit Exposed: Battle-Proven Conditioning Exercises For Strength, Flexibility & Fitness" go to www.martindayfitness.com/fightingfit