The 4 Levels of Mastery Training

This past week during my Bujutsu training, my instructor took a few minutes during our training to talk about what he believed were the 4 levels of training mastery. I have thought about what he said and wanted to share them with you. The reality is, you can probably apply these same concepts to most anything you do in life.

1. Unconscious Incompetence
This is when you first start out in your training and you have no idea what you are doing and more importantly, why you are doing it. You are going through the motions with little regard for stances, balance, power, form or speed. This is most definitely a white belt, or beginner student.

2. Conscious Incompetence
This best describes the student who is advancing from beginner to intermediate. The student has begun to understand many of the principles involved in training, but doesn't have the experience to execute the majority of them. Techniques are beginning to form and the student tends to be less awkward.

3. Conscious Competence
As many of us progress into the more advanced stages (black belt level) of our training, this is where most of us stay. We can execute most techniques at a high level, understanding most of the principles involved in footwork, balance, power, and speed. We can look at a form or kata and break it down into little pieces and translate the basic blocks, strikes and kicks. This is considered a high level of training.

4. Unconscious Competence
This is what my instructor characterized as the highest level of training; a level that we should all aspire to train at. This is for the advanced student who has trained for many years and through repetition, acts on instinct, without really needing to think about what to do.

I thought this was a great way to talk about our (your) training and a depending on what your goals are, something to shoot for. Level 4 is much like master. Something we are always striving for and within reach, but never quite grasping.
What level are you at?

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. Bruce Lee

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com