Is it better to learn proper execution of a move first than just "get it sooner or later" in Muay Thai?

Question

Because my alternate instructor in Muay Thai just let's me kick and punch even when it's wrongfully executed because he just tells me "you'll get it sooner or later kid". Meanwhile, my other instructor wants me to perfect the execution of the kick first before letting me kick some bags. Which learning style do you think is better?

Answer 1

Learning proper execution first is more important and with time and practice you will develop speed and power to go with it.  Not only that but it is twice as hard to break bad habits or relearn how to do something correctly after learning and practicing doing it incorrectly.  I use the the Olympics for an example with my students.  Gymnaists develop and practice their skills to an ever higher level by learning simpler things first and learning how to do them correctly.  You can do the same with martial arts; especially with younger students if you take the time to and give them the proper attention and coaching.  Those gymnaists you will be watching on television would never rise to that level without that quality, skill, and training.  

Now take that example and apply it to you and what you are learning and doing.  Just "getting it sooner or later" will probably never allow you to learn and develop your skills to that level but if you could, think of how much better you would be; how much time, effort, and energy would not be wasted by having to break a bad habit and relearn how to do something all over again.  Look at Gong Li; do you think he developed his skills to that level by following that kind of thinking of just getting it sooner or later?  Follow your first instructors advice and don't proscribe to the other and you will more likly reach your full potential and be better than you otherwise would be.

Answer 2

Having trained for over 41 years, I can say without a doubt that you want to go slow and learn the correct way to do each technique.  Although it takes a while to get things right, it is still better/ quicker than having to fix things later. Once habits are formed it is hard to get your mind and body to learn a different way. Besides you are putting your time and money into this. Why not learn it right the first time?

I often get a new student with years of training. Many of them are making major mistakes in form and application of what they know. Most don't even know it. I not only have to teach them, I have to help them fix their technique.  Be smart, take the time to learn it correctly and everything else will be easier.

Answer 3

the more you do a kick improperly the more likely you are to do it wrong in the long run. your alt instructor sounds like a quack.

Answer 4

Your other instructor is right. It's best to learn how to execute your moves properly from the very beginning. That way, you won't pick up any bad habits that'll be difficult to get rid of later on.

Answer 5

perfect practice makes perfect, make sure your watch your instructor execute the kick take metal notes of his feet and every joint like elbow ankle knees see what the doing and go threw it in your head when you laying in bed and practice it in front of a mirror

Answer 6

u wont have maximum damage if u dont know how to do a proper kick, this will make u lose fights, perfect the kick first remember fear the man who practiced 1 kick 1000 times not 1000 kicks once

Answer 7

Technique and execution, as well as proper stance both before and after should always be paramount. Think of it like this -

Would you rather live in a house built with bricks at the bottom that jutted out haphazardly and were laid uneven?

Or would you prefer to live in a house where the bricks were laid flush to one another and mortared properly?

Which would be stronger? The answer is in the foundation, not the top of the building.

Answer 8

I havent taken martial arts ever and wont for a couple of months, but im going to say wrong b/c i have common sense.

2nd one is right.Anyone cam randomly kick.