The Fundamentals Emerge on Their Own [Paper Review]

Don't you still have to teach fundamentals? Reviewing the results of Deuker, et al., 2023 and applying it to martial arts.

“Eco seems like it’s useful for advanced students, but they have to learn the fundamentals first.”

Nodding your head, right? (No, you don’t understand, you have to nod your head or else.)

I’m sure you’ve heard this before…I know I have. A lot. Or maybe you’ve even said it. I used to say it, too.

Martial artists of all stripes are wedded to the concept of fundamentals. These fundamentals must be learned before any other tactics or strategies can be learned, and the only way they can be learned is if they are taught by an able instructor. Or so we’ve always believed.

Entertain a very dangerous thought with me for just a moment. I promise it’ll be worth your time.

What if the fundamentals, as we have always understood them, don’t need to be taught at all?

The “Train As You Play” Experiment

Deuker et al. (2023) recruited 40 young soccer players in Germany for an experimental study comparing nonlinear (constraints-led approach) and prescriptive (deliberate practice) training programs over a period of 5 weeks. The skills tested were dribbling, passing, and change of direction sprint (p. 3).

Players of the same level were randomly assigned to the respective teams, and a third group of more elite players in the same age group were assigned to a “control” team. The nonlinear group was labeled the PLAY team, the deliberate practice group was labeled the PRACTICE group.

A standardized skill execution protocol was used to test technical proficiency from a traditional perspective. The protocol was used pre-study to gain a baseline, post-training period to understand immediate effects of the respective 5 week programs, and then a final time a period after the post-test to assess retention.

So what did they find?