What fundamentals solve

Most technique problems come from the same root causes: unstable base, poor alignment, sloppy transitions, and mistimed tension. Fundamentals solve those problems by building habits that hold under pressure.

• Stability: students stop without adjustment steps.
• Repeatability: same stance length and height on both sides.
• Power: whole-body motion replaces arm-muscling.
• Control: students can accelerate without losing balance.

The coaching order (fix the base first)

If you correct in the wrong order, students get overwhelmed and improvements don’t stick. Correct in this order:

1. Feet & line (direction, width, step placement).
2. Knees & hips (alignment, weight distribution).
3. Posture (hips under torso, head level, no leaning).
4. Timing (relax → accelerate → brief finish tension).
5. Hands & details (chambers, angles, exact tools).

Teaching shortcut: watch the feet and hips. The hands usually fix themselves after the base is correct.

The “big five” fundamentals

These are the fundamentals that upgrade every technique, every pattern, and every drill.

1) Posture (center under you)

• Goal: hips under torso, head level, spine neutral.
• Common leak: leaning forward to “feel powerful.”
• Coaching cue: “Stay tall. Let the stance carry the mass.”

2) Stance quality (platform first)

• Goal: stable, consistent, aligned (knees track feet).
• Common leak: stance too long or too narrow → wobble at finish.
• Coaching cue: “Finish stable. No recovery step.”

Deep dive: Foundations → Stances

3) Stepping & transitions (clean movement between techniques)

• Goal: controlled weight shift, quiet feet, aimed turns.
• Common leak: drifting sideways or “late correction” on turns.
• Coaching cue: “Step on the line. Turn and land aimed.”

Deep dive: Foundations → Transitions and Foundations → Footwork

4) Power timing (relax then snap)

• Goal: acceleration into the finish, brief tension at impact, immediate relaxation after.
• Common leak: tensing early → slower finish and less power.
• Coaching cue: “Relax in travel. Snap at the end.”

Deep dive: Foundations → Power and Foundations → Tension

5) Chambers & tool accuracy (clean shape with purpose)

• Goal: correct path, correct striking surface, correct guard recovery.
• Common leak: chambers become “poses” instead of functional positioning.
• Coaching cue: “Chamber sets the line. The line sets the power.”

Core teaching cues (plain language)

These cues fix more than they break. Use them consistently so students can self-correct.

• “Quiet feet” → control and balance.
• “Knees track toes” → alignment and safety.
• “Hips under you” → posture and power without leaning.
• “Relax then snap” → timing and speed into impact.
• “Finish stable” → no wobble, no extra step.

Common beginner errors (and what they usually mean)

Error: Wobble at finish

• Usually means: stance too long, weight shift uncontrolled.
• Fix: shorten slightly; freeze test; rebuild the line.

Error: Shoulders rise

• Usually means: early tension, trying to muscle technique.
• Fix: shoulders down; breathe; relax travel.

Error: Techniques look fast but hit light

• Usually means: arm-first timing, hips late.
• Fix: hip-first slow reps; then speed only at finish.

Error: Feet are loud

• Usually means: loss of control, rushing transitions.
• Fix: slow down; aim the step; reduce power until control returns.

Error: Inconsistent stance height

• Usually means: weak stance awareness, poor knee control.
• Fix: stance holds; segment work; teach one stance at a time.

Fundamentals drills (plug-and-play)

1) Line walk (direction + stability)

• Tape a straight line on the floor.
• Students step in walking stance on the line for 6–10 steps.
• Goal: no drifting, no noisy landings, finish stable each step.

2) 2-second finish holds (structure)

• After each basic technique, freeze for 2 seconds.
• Scan: knees aligned, hips set, shoulders down, wrist stacked.
• Goal: power that can be stopped is power you control.

3) Slow-to-fast ladder (timing)

• 5 reps at 30% speed, 5 at 60%, 5 at 90%.
• Rule: only the finish gets “snap.”
• Goal: speed increases without early tension or loss of stance.

4) Hip-first shadow (remove arm-first habits)

• Perform punches slowly.
• Rule: hips start before the arm arrives.
• Goal: teach the power chain without telling students to “hit harder.”

5) Quiet breath timing (power trigger)

• No breath sound during travel.
• Short sharp exhale at the finish.
• Goal: breath marks impact, not the whole motion.

How to plan fundamentals (simple method)

Fundamentals teaching gets easier when you rotate focuses instead of inventing new drills. Use this weekly rotation:

• Week A: stance + posture
• Week B: transitions + line discipline
• Week C: power timing + breathing
• Week D: integration (segment + drill + segment)

Keep the drills the same. Raise the standard.

Next

Fundamentals should flow into patterns and application. Go to Teaching Patterns or Teaching Sparring.