Tiger Woods has been awarded PGA Tour "Player of the Year" for 2005(1), his 7th time in 9 professional seasons. He also made $10,628,023(2) in earnings. This award is based on performance points and tour player votes(1).

There were two years Tiger didn't win the award, 1998 and 2004(1). His earnings those years were $1,841,117 and $5,365,472(2), respectively. Definitely respectable, but fewer points and dollars than other years.

Do you know why?

Well, he was getting back to basics! (He was changing his golf swing, believe it or not.) For a player of his caliber to stop and reevaluate his core technique is extraordinary to me. What I mean is, he's been a real money machine. And he had the presence of mind and control of emotion to step off the ride and take care of business. To continue to take care of the basics.

He caught a lot of flack for making a change. People who I presume didn't understand what he was doing wrote a lot about it.

I haven't played golf in five years, don't give a rip about the game. So what's my point?

"Good, solid basics are the key to learning and teaching advanced technique and concepts."

A pre-black-belt karate-ka is developing their foundation, their "golf swing." To be successful in the long run the advanced student has to continually take care of those basics.

Grab a cup of coffee and sit by the fire. Or go for a walk by yourself. Think of specific ideas from your training history, truly open your mind to the truth. How about others' techniques from your class? Recognize and think about good, solid basics. You know it when you see it.

Here it is again:

"Good, solid basics are the key to learning and teaching advanced technique and concepts."

I'm suggesting you really think about this for yourself. And also for your students if you're an instructor.

Beginners and veterans, make a real commitment to your future basics training. It will make the difference in how deeply your karate experience develops.

(1) http://www.hickoksports.com/history/pgapoy.shtml#vote

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Woods#Professional_Career