Context determines training value
Training methods are often judged as either good or bad.
In reality, most methods only make sense within a particular context.
A technique, drill, or training structure may work extremely well for one purpose while being poorly suited to another. What works in competition may not address civilian self-protection. What builds physical conditioning may not develop decision-making under pressure.
The problem is not usually the method itself.
The problem is assuming the method applies to situations it was never designed to address.
Training value is always relative to the situation being prepared for. Distance, timing, environment, rules, and objectives all shape what a method actually develops.
When context changes, the value of a method can change with it.
Many disagreements in martial arts come from people training for completely different purposes while assuming they are discussing the same thing.
Competition, fitness, cultural study, and self-protection all place different demands on training.
Methods that are effective for one may be irrelevant to another.
Understanding context does not diminish training.
It clarifies what the training is actually preparing someone to do.
Training value depends on whether it matches the realities a person is actually likely to face.