Practice Makes Perfect

The Practical Element is one of the Five Martial Elements.

The function of the Practical Element is to develop excellent timing and sound judgement.

Those who have put the hours in to cultivate an experienced, sophisticated Practical Element are well-versed in knowing when and where all things should – or should NOT – be done.


Inside The Practical Element

Just like the other martial elements, the Practical Element is made up of four components, which are as follows:

  1. Basic Attacks
  2. Bridging Attacks
  3. Sparring Drills
  4. Situational Drills

Together, these four components provide sets of actual problems (meaning attacks and situations) which must ultimately be solved (meaning handled successfully) in real-time by all students. These problems get progressively more difficult, and steadily more complicated as martial competence grows. This is shown and briefly explained in the diagram below.


FWTS | Components Of The Practical Element


Connections To The Practical Element

Just like the other martial elements, the Practical Element is fully connected via the Creative Relationships and the Control Relationships that exist within the system. Thus, the strengths & weakness within this element will colour and influence the others.

The four relationship pairs formed by these connections are:

  • Practical creates Physical
  • Practical controls Strategic
  • Practical is created by Technical
  • Practical is controlled by Theory

FWTS | Relationships Of The Practical Element


Follow the links on this page to go deeper into the components of the Practical Element, and discover the effects it has upon all the other martial elements.


Where Next?

Level Contents
3 Five Martial Elements The Creative Relationship The Control Relationship
4 Strategic Element
Theoretical Element
Technical Element
Practical Element (you are here)
Physical Element
The Creation Cycle
End Of Branch
The Control Cycle
End Of Branch
5 Basic Attacks
Bridging Attacks
Sparring Drills
Situational Drills