Stages of Understanding

 "Master, when will I understand the game?" asked Po, the acolyte.

The Master was busy with pumice stones and assorted sandpapers.  Not only did his favorite paddle need some maintenance, but the callus on his right foot was getting too advanced.  An advanced callus will slow even a Master.

"What did you say, Po, as you can see I'm a bit busy here?" replied the Master.

"I'm wondering about understanding the game, Master.  Sometimes it seems simple and then it seems complex.  What is it?"

"Oh, Po, I thought you knew this.  The game is both simple and complex.  As a player you must make the complex become simple.  Hand me that nail file please."

The warm air in the Master's study and beams of light from the narrow window were awash with the callus' and paddle's airborne sandings.  

"But Master, that seems to be little help?  How can I make a difficult thing simple?"

"Oh, that.  Of course you simplify the game by movement."

"Could you provide an example Master?"

"What?  I'm very busy, but oh well.  It is my destiny to provide enlightenment, I suppose.

"Remember back when you started to play Po?  You just stood there and were surprised when the ball came to you?"

"Yes, those were scary times."

"Harrumph, and then later you expected some balls to come to you.  And you became better at returning them.  Then you expected that any ball might come to you and were even better at returning them as you more ready to move or block.

"Now Po we seek the final chapter of this short book.  What is next?"

"Hmm, nothing comes to mind Master."

"Yes, I know.  How sad, but the next step is to understand where the ball will go and to go there before the ball does.  Understand, move, and strike like they teach at the Cobra Kai, down in the village."

"Master, I've never heard you say anything good about the Cobra Kai?"

"Yes, and you will not.  Recognizing that they do something well is not high praise, it is what any capable player must do, even the "Leg Sweepers.

"So let me finish the progression of a proper player.  One is that they are surprised at the location of the ball, then two they are ready if it comes to them and finally, three you move to where the ball will be.  Thus the complex becomes simple.

"So Po, recognize the flow of the game, and the mental flow of your opponents, then move to interrupt the flow and create time and space pressure to defeat the enemy.  The blessed Erne is such a move as is the proper poach.  Do both when they are right.  And further Po, since your partner is doing this as well, when they Erne or Poach, you must also move as the court coverage for your side has been disturbed.  If/when the ball comes back, you must in position.

"Only trees should grow roots, keep you feet and mind moving at all times.  Now where is my foot lotion?  I got some new Henua lotion around here.  Po, it provides twelve important healing ingredients.  So I'll have that going for me..."

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Editor's note.  If you watch the YouTube video that Angel put up you will see him move to where the ball is going on a number of points.  This is usually in a poaching situation.  He moves well and he moves early.