By Scot Schwichow
If you’ve ever attended one of my martial arts classes, there’s a phrase you’ve probably heard more than once:
“You get good at what you practice.”
That statement carries more weight than most people realize. On the surface, it speaks to the development of desirable skills through repetition. But dig a little deeper, and it becomes a powerful warning: if you practice laziness, indecision, or avoidance, those behaviors will become your default responses. In life, just like during martial arts practice, habits are formed whether you’re intentional about them or not.
While I could easily list dozens of examples from my martial arts journey, I want to broaden the lens and share a story from outside the dojo—one that still reflects the exact same principles.
From White Belt to Fly Rod
Most people who get into fly fishing were taught by a parent or mentor. Casting a fly rod is widely considered one of the more difficult skills in fishing, and I had no one to teach me. So, I applied what martial arts practice had already taught me: be resourceful, and don’t wait for the perfect teacher to get started.
I bought a fly rod, watched a few YouTube tutorials, and then got to work—casting in my backyard for 10–15 minutes a day. It wasn’t glamorous, and it definitely wasn’t easy at first. But within a few weeks, I could cast reasonably well. Eventually, I met more experienced anglers who helped refine my form and fix mistakes I didn’t even know I was making. Today, I can consistently make solid casts of 70 feet or more.
But here’s the key: no video or coach could have given me those results without my commitment to practice.
The Science of Practice
There’s plenty of research to support this approach. According to a study published in Psychological Science, spaced repetition (practicing over time) significantly improves long-term retention and performance compared to cramming or single-session learning.
Another famous study by Anders Ericsson (whose work inspired the “10,000-hour rule”) emphasizes that deliberate practice—targeted, purposeful effort outside of your comfort zone—is what leads to expertise, not just time spent doing something.
In fact, a 2021 article in Frontiers in Psychology found that learners who combined self-practice with occasional expert feedback showed the greatest gains in skill mastery. That’s exactly what happens during martial arts practice when a student trains at home and then brings that work into the dojo to be refined by a coach.
Why Martial Arts Practice Matters
Most martial arts students train just a few hours a week in class. Your instructor can’t possibly address every single detail for every student in that short time. But when you take what you’ve learned and spend time in martial arts practice at home—even just 10 minutes a day—you accelerate your progress. Suddenly, your coach can focus on refining small details instead of re-teaching the basics.
It’s like sharpening a blade: your personal practice does the rough work, and your instructor helps hone it to precision.
Whether you’re learning to block, throw, or cast a fly rod—practice is the bridge between knowledge and skill. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. And the more intentional you are with your time outside the dojo, the faster that progress will come.
Final Thought
Martial arts practice is more than a routine—it’s a mindset. And remember: you’re always practicing something. Make sure it’s the right thing.
