Efficient training through proficiency

A common trait amongst "rookie" practitioners of martial arts is a desire to collect as many techniques as possible.  There is no inherent problem with increasing ones arsenal however it does affect martial ability when insufficient time is spent on fundamental techniques.  What this means is that learning techniques without putting in the proper amount of time, effort, and attention will equate to poor quality of the technique itself.

It is of utmost importance that we strive for excellence in one or two techniques at a time, in this way a practitioner can devote the needed length of time to practise the technique and its proper execution and to furthermore develop and increase its power.

Like the classic quantity versus quality, it is not how much a practitioner learns but it is the absorption and retention rate of the technique that is critical.  With regular practise and continuous effort individual moves can be improved (increase speed and precision), maximized (add power) and maintained.

At the end of the day to be an efficient martial artist it is not how many moves you have in your arsenal, it is how well you trained and developed the individual technique!   

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” 
- Bruce Lee