KISS Principle in Karate

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As I progressed and as I continued to learn about the reality of self-protection using martial arts I found that simplicity is really a key concept toward applying skills in self-defense/protection. Then the other day a professional, with tons of experience to boot, made a statement in response to being asked, "do simple moves work in real life?" 

"Advanced techniques are basic techniques done with your pant leg on fire!" - John Farnam

"Ingraining movement means you are able to do a complete set of simple moves with your pant leg on fire!" - Marc MacYoung. 

To my mind after reading this and the rest of his statement on the subject is, "the only simple move is to not be there when crap happens." In truth, no move in karate is simple as that because every move made, or every method or technique made, is consisting of several simple moves. To me that means, one perceived simple move like a rising punch consists of several simple moves, i.e., vertical fist formation, the arm movement from the shoulder to the elbow to the wrist to the fist and proper movement making sure it is aligned, structured properly for efficient and effective application and then stability when the forefist finally meets the adversary somewhere on his body. All simple moves when looked at alone but a combination of simple moves that must meet certain criteria to achieve effective results still has to happen... every time, all the time and under really heavy duty stress. 

Then the statement by this professional continues, thank you for this Marc MacYoung, to explain in simple terms how a block is done and that in reality the three simple moves he describes as to how they do work but one may be forgotten or work half-assed making the whole simple move cause things to "fall apart." 

He then eloquently in his unique way states, "That's why shit falls apart, INCLUDING so much 'it's gotta be a simple move.' It's not a simple move, IT's SIMPLE MOVES." As you can tell the move(s) should be simple to remove as much that can not work from the equation but that all those chained movements must therefore be as simple as possible so that the chain of simple MOVES can complete the chain in the hopes the links all remain strong to that the entire chain of simple moves 'gets-r-done!'

Go on over the Mr. MacYoung's FB Page "No Nonsense Self-Defense" and read his take on it, compare it here to my thoughts then tell me if you think the two views match up so that you can take your karate self-protection training toward a more KISS concept, i.e., 

"Keep IT Simple SENSEI!"

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)