When do proper fundamentals become techniques and what is the difference between them?

That’s a difficult question to answer. There are many opinions that vary and none can be discounted. Martial training is a personal trek that we make. We’re all headed down the same path but all of us are at different places on that path and many of us don’t even speak the same language.

Fundamentals? Techniques? How about fundamental techniques? See what I mean? We’re all learning martial science from different teachers, with different views, different methods and different “jargon.”

To keep it simple, I’d refer to fundamentals as being proper stances, why they are the way they are, what happens if they aren’t done correctly etc. Also, proper weight distribution, proper footwork, proper making of a fist, proper hand strikes, effective blocks, proper kicking….the list goes on and on so if I’ve left something out forgive the oversights.

This is fundamental teaching in a martial arts system as I see it.

Putting these fundamental teachings into practice is what I would call techniques. There are more techniques than there are martial artists. Many styles have loads of drills and pre-sets where the aspiring martial artist can employ his/her fundamental teachings and see them in action against an opponent of sorts. Then begins techniques – I do this technique and my opponent does that technique. Some will be found to be more useful than others depending on the martial arts student’s abilities and his opponent’s abilities.

This shouldn’t lead to a position of “this doesn’t work or that doesn’t work,” since for some students some techniques will work in the future or against an opponent of different stature. A technique that scores heavily on slower, more stationary opponents will not work very good on opponents who are nimble, light on their feet or just more experienced.

I like to keep an “it’s all good” attitude about techniques. They’re all good in the right place at the right time.

Fundamentals remain more stable and are less apt to be changed or tossed aside for another day. I believe in sound basic training which is found in about every training center I’ve ever walked into.

It’s good to train a lot of techniques, to be proficient in their application. They will, over the course of many years start to appear without thought, having become a part of you.

In the end, it’s a higher level to train and understand concepts (another topic itself). Understanding concepts encompass all of the multitude of fundamentals, techniques and situations that may present themselves to you in self defense encounters.

A final example of what I’ve tried to say at length

Concept: Mirroring or Shadowing

Fundamental: Balance, solid stance, good timing

Technique: left palm down and right palm up

Encounter:

Attacker steps in with right leg and attempts to strike your face or grab your collar.

Mirroring his attack, you step to the right quickly as your left palm engages the attacking right arm of the opponent and deflects downwards. (you’re no longer in front of him but 45* to his left)

Your right palm rises to catch his left arm or elbow, if it’s tucked in and lifts. You then rotate at the waist and continue turning at your waist as your left palm presses down and your right palm lifts up.

Your opponent will be easily thrown to the ground if you’ve spent enough time learning, training and understanding this concept.

This is my point of view and may vary from yours. I respect your right to disagree. Karate begins and ends with courtesy!