Technical Principles
Economy of Motion: Doing Less, Better
MMS Editorial · August 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Unnecessary movement costs time, energy and safety. How the arts MMS studies remove waste from technique.
Every movement that does not serve the purpose of the technique is time given to the opponent. Economy of motion is the discipline of removing that waste.
Signs of waste
Chambering too far, telegraphing with the shoulders, and resetting stance between techniques are all common forms of wasted movement.
Training it
Use mirrors, video and a patient partner. Ask of each movement: what does this do?