In basic drills, you’ll often meet someone who loves to move randomly.
For example:
When feeding a strike, they throw it half-heartedly. When practicing throws, they either stiffen up and resist, or slip away unpredictably so no one can train properly.
They may think they’re being “clever” or “hard to deal with.” In reality, there is no such thing as a perfect stance.
Every Stance Has a Weak Side
A person with strong, rigid structure can absorb strikes, but they’re vulnerable to throws. Their body becomes a lever with a long arm—easy to topple once pushed or pulled. A loose, floppy person may be harder to throw, but they can’t take strikes well. One solid hit breaks their frame.
So if you find someone hard to throw, don’t assume you lack skill—it may simply be because the training focus is on throwing, not striking.
Progress Means Learning to Switch
Once you’ve learned striking and throwing techniques, the real skill lies in:
Adapting to the moment: choosing whether to hit or throw depending on the opponent. Switching quickly: real speed isn’t just fast punches or kicks, but the ability to change instantly.
That’s also why many forms are practiced slowly—
Slow training helps you become familiar with every detail, so at any point you can switch to another move.
If you only train “fast,” like firing a machine gun until the bullets run out, you miss the chance to practice transitions.
A Word for Beginners
When you’re just starting out, don’t overthink or try to be tricky.
Simply follow the drills. Build familiarity with the basics first.
Once your database of movements is large enough, then you can talk about variation.
Quantity must come before quality.
Conclusion
The essence of martial arts is not just striking or throwing, but the ability to transform one into the other seamlessly.
The real key is in the transitions.
