The difference between training and application

“A student’s mentality in learning martial arts is to overcome one’s problems”

A drill is not application.

A common beginner’s mistake is to assume that drills are a way to practice the application of a technique. When you then apply this during sparring, it leads to frustration when it doesn’t work.

Drills help you learn and understand principles.

The aim of a drill is not learn real-life applications.

They allow you to learn principles and apply them in a safe environment. Drills allow you to stress-test your understanding so you can figure out what works and what doesn’t.

Once you’ve figured out the principles and understood how to apply them. You can try applying them in real-life situations.

See if they work in sparring sessions.

See what doesn’t work and then go back to the drills to see if there is a deeper layer to understand.

The only way to get better at applying the principles is through trial and error.

Drills provide a safe space for this trial and error.

Approach each drill with the question “What is the principle that this is teaching me?”

Do this every time you train and your understanding will increase leaps and bounds.