“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”—Sun Tzu
Strategy is the plan. Tactics are the action.
Strategy is the why. Tactics are the how.
Sometimes the connection between strategies and tactics is referred to as strategy versus tactics. This creates a dichotomy that separates the two when they are as connected as two sides of the same coin.
A fractured relationship between strategies and tactics is a recipe for frustration in strength training. Students comb the internet, magazines, and books, searching for the “ideal” plan thinking that the details of the sets, reps, density, or volume will undoubtedly lead to the results. While never engaging a StrongFirst Certified Instructor to address the glaring form issues preventing positive adaptation.
Or students obsess over the perfection of the execution, thinking that if the form is “perfect,” the results will be as well. However, this is all while enacting a plan beyond their recovery ability.
A plan supported by tactics is the best of both worlds—a why enacted with impeccable how puts the strategy into action so the results can be accurately assessed.
Hector Gutierrez Jr., StrongFirst Certified Senior Instructor, coaches his students in both strategies and tactics because (as he says) “understanding the why makes the how easy.”
Understanding how the crush grip enhances a military press versus using the hook grip for the swing matches the why with the right how.
The crush grip enhances irradiation and “steers” our strength into the press, while the hook grip secures the bell for swings without tearing up the callouses. Applying the hook grip to the press or trying to crush grip your swing uses the wrong tactic for the situation. And as George S. Patton said: “Bad tactics will destroy even the best strategy.”
So, in the end, it is not versus but rather a necessary combination for the best results. Look for Hector’s article this week for a deeper dive into strategies he uses with his students and his practice.
And join Hector, Pavel, and Fabio for Programming Demystified to dive deep into strategies and tactics.
