First note on Technique

Much is said, and rightfully so, about technique.

However, I feel that it is very common to hear many different opinions and views on technique, in part, because few explain what they mean by technique in the first place.

I think that this should be the first thing to clear, in order to guaranty that we all speak the same language, interpret each others ideas objectively and ultimately start achieving some consensus.

Since I like to keep things simple, the definition that technique is the word used when referring to the motor actions that we perform under specific scenarios (actions intended to achieve goals related to a specific context), works for me.

However, when a person produces a movement what are (or should be) his or her intentions in doing so? (and thus determining how technique is produced).

1 - I think that most, if not all, will immediately answer that the goal of techniques is to enable one to achieve success in the task at hand, thus being considered effective.

I too agree with this assumption of having one's body move in a way as to allow for greater effectiness, which is depended on either finding ways to have greater skill (targeting, etc) or higher power output (developing higher force in the same amount of time or decreasing the time for the development of a certain force), depending on the action's nature.

2 - However, a second and third purposes should also manifest themselves in the development of ones technical repertoire: delaying the onset of fatigue and reducing the chances of getting injured.

a) Compare two individuals performing Cleans.
One of them performs the movement using only his arms, while the other starts by doing a little squat to help overcome the weight's inertia. If they are to perform this movement until exhaustion, which one of them do you think will experience a reduction in speed of movement first (and ultimately stopping)?

Naturally it will be the one who uses only his arms, thus neglecting both the leg force and elastic movement component that a slight squat provides.

Therefore, all techniques should seek ways to make the best possible coordinated use of our body's different components. Such a strategy may help improve effectiveness right from the first movement but, even if that isn't the case, it will decrease the energy required to function and thus improve effectiveness after something the 10th action as well as help prolong the work output.

b) Now, imagine a basketball player always landing on one foot (and always the same) after each jumpshop.

After something like 20 jumpshots per session, 100 per week, 400 per month, ..., the extra stress placed on one knee, will more than likely produce an injury, and when this happens, most people will simply say that it was bad luck. While some injuries are worse than others, I think that all are to avoided if possible.

Therefore, this type of functional knowledge of the human body should also come into play when designing an activity's technical fundamentals.

With the establishment of these principals, we're now able to start discussing the specifics of JdP's technique and training methods.

LFP