Is More, Better?

Some martial artists operate on the premise that the more complicated and impressive a technique is the better it must be. Is this premise correct? To defend yourself, do you really need a vast arsenal, or just need to be highly proficient with a few weapons? How many techniques do you actually use in free-sparring competition? In no-holds-barred type competitions where almost any technique may be used, how many techniques are actually used?

When teaching self-defense techniques, many instructors teach numerous techniques from their art or from other arts. Many of these techniques are only useful in specific types of situation. Every time these instructors see a new "cool" technique, they teach it to their students or at some seminar or clinic. However, when training their students for competition, these same instructors concentrate on teaching their students to perfect a few, basic, highly effective techniques. So, from this, may we draw the conclusion that for life or death self-defense situations we should strive to be familiar with a vast collection of techniques, any one of which may get us killed; while for competition we should strive to perfect a few effective techniques that will help us win.