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Ten physical skills

Intro

There are ten general physical skills. Your competency as a martial artist is related to your ability to perform each of these ten skills. You may not be proficient in some skills, but you may excel in other skills that help make up for your shortcomings.

Ten skills

1. Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance. The ability of the body systems to gather, process, and deliver oxygen to the entire body.
2. Stamina. The ability of body systems to process, deliver, store, and utilize energy.
3. Strength. The ability of a muscular unit, or the combination of muscular units, to apply force.
4. Flexibility. The ability to maximize the range of motion of a joint or combination of joints.
5. Power. The ability of a muscular unit, or the combination of muscular units, to apply maximum force in minimum time.
6. Speed. The ability to minimize the rate of movement of action.
7. Coordination. The ability to combine several distinct movements into a singular distinct pattern of movement.
8. Agility. The ability to move nimbly and precisely with speed and ease.
9. Balance. The ability to maintain equilibrium by the precise movement of the body’s center of gravity within its support base.
10. Accuracy. The ability to precisely control movement in a certain direction or at a certain intensity.

Skill improvement

Skill improvement comes from:

• Training. Training refers to physical activity that improves performance through a measurable organic change in the body.
• Practice, Practice refers to physical activity that improves performance through changes in the nervous system.

To improve each of the ten physical skills:

• Use training to improve the skills of cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, and flexibility.
• Use practice to improve the skills of coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
• Use both training and practice to improve the skills of power and speed.

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