GROSS MOTOR SKILLS vs FINE MOTOR SKILLS in Martial arts training
Which is effective in a fight - Gross motor skills or Fine Motor skills ? This is an argument going on for ages, amongst martial arts instructors. Much has been said on both sides. Now I am adding my own thoughts to this argument, with the benefit of having practiced Karate and KravMaga and the hind-sight acquired after having taught KravMaga to civilians and police. Actually experts say there are 3 levels of motor skills - Fine, Complex and Gross . Here is my simple description which explains the 3 motor skills in the context of fighting (click for readable view) . To make it even simpler – 1. Practice = swimming on dry land 2. Sparring = swimming in a shallow swimming pool 3. Actual fight = trying to survive in rough waves, blindfolded! See how complex skills fail in an actual crisis, even for trained police men! "So, I need NOT learn fine movements?!" Let me clarify that I am NOT against teaching Fine motor skills. The more time spent i