Practice Makes Permanent

Why Quality of Training Matters More Than Quantity

Brian Stamps – January 2026 

We’ve all heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” It’s catchy, motivating, and well-intentioned—but in the dojo, it can be misleading. 

A more accurate—and far more important—truth is this: practice makes permanent. 

Repetition alone doesn’t magically lead to improvement. What you repeat—good or bad—becomes ingrained in your body, your mind, and your reflexes. Over time, those repeated patterns turn into habits, and habits shape performance. 

The quality of practice matters far more than the quantity. 

Repetition Builds Habits—Not Necessarily Good Ones 

Repetition is the foundation of martial arts mastery. Our nervous system adapts to repeated movement patterns, strengthening the pathways that control each technique. 

Here’s the catch: The brain doesn’t judge whether a technique is correct or incorrect. It simply remembers what is repeated most often. 

If a student repeatedly performs a block, strike, or footwork incorrectly, the body eventually believes that error is correct. Over time, this can lead to negative transfer—when previously practiced mistakes interfere with learning the right technique later. 

In simple terms:

If you practice something wrong long enough, it becomes automatic—and unlearning it is far harder than learning it properly the first time. 

Why Deliberate Practice Changes Everything 

Not all training is created equal. 

High-level martial arts skill depends on deliberate practice—focused, intentional training guided by feedback. Deliberate practice involves: 

• Focused attention on each movement 

• Slowing down when needed to ensure precision 

• Listening to instructor feedback to correct mistakes 

• Prioritizing accuracy over volume 

Mindless repetition may feel productive, but without feedback, it reinforces bad habits. Deliberate practice, even if it means fewer repetitions, ensures every movement builds strength, skill, and reflexive control. 

The Hidden Cost of Repeating Incorrect Techniques 

Practicing incorrectly doesn’t just affect performance—it can affect long-term health. 

Poor posture, misaligned strikes, or incorrect footwork place extra stress on joints, muscles, and connective tissue. Over time, this can lead to overuse injuries, chronic pain, or weakened movement patterns. 

In high-pressure situations—during sparring, self-defense scenarios, or competition—your body defaults to what you’ve practiced most. If those patterns are flawed, they can fail you exactly when you need them to perform flawlessly. 

How This Philosophy Shows Up in Our Classes at Koseki Budokai 

At Koseki Budokai, we believe that how you practice matters just as much as how often you practice. 

You’ll see us: 

• Slowing techniques down to focus on alignment, balance, and control 

• Offering clear, focused corrections instead of rushing ahead 

• Repeating skills with intention, not mindless repetition 

• Encouraging students to pause, reset, and try again rather than “pushing through” 

This approach helps students build strong, safe, and reliable movement habits that support long-term growth—on the mat, in sparring, and in life. 

The Takeaway 

Practice doesn’t automatically lead to improvement. Practice leads to permanence. 

What you repeat becomes what you rely on. 

By prioritizing correct execution, thoughtful pacing, and intentional feedback, martial artists can build strong, safe, and transferable skills—rather than habits that must later be unlearned. 

So the next time you step into the dojo, bow to the mat, or face a training partner, remember: 

It’s not about doing it more. It’s about doing it better. 

If you’re looking for martial arts training that values safe technique, intentional practice, and long-term skill development, we’d love to welcome you to Koseki Budokai. 

Want to Learn More? 

The principle “practice makes permanent” is rooted in research on skill development, deliberate practice, and safe, effective movement. While this post focuses on practical dojo guidance, these resources can help students, parents, and instructors dive deeper: 

• Motor Learning in Martial Arts – How the brain and body form habits through repetition 👉 Black Belt Magazine: How Martial Artists Learn Motor Skills https://blackbeltmag.com/motor-learning-martial-arts 

• Deliberate Practice & Mastery – Why focused, intentional training builds lasting skill 👉 The Martial Arts Scholar: Deliberate Practice for Martial Artists https://martialartsscholar.com/deliberate-practice 

• Safe Training & Injury Prevention – How correct technique protects joints and muscles 👉 International Martial Arts Health Association (IMHA): Preventing Injuries in Martial Arts https://imha.org/safe-training 

These ideas guide how we structure classes at Koseki Budokai—so students aren’t just practicing more, they’re practicing smarter, safer, and with lasting results.