I know this has been discussed before but I feel it is a better post that all of the negative politics going on right now.
some people say the ling side (or two person forms) are essential to training.
some say that you do not have to have it just teaching apps from the forms are enough.
I think teaching the two man sets or the apps can be effective.
but....if you teach the ling side or two person set and the student only does this once a week it is not very effective. Same for showing them an app out of the form, If they do not drill it just knowing the theory behind it will not be enough.
From what I have seen the schools that teach the ling side become effective faster because they drill every day. Having someone in your face every day using actual techniques just makes you better faster.
On the other hand it is very hard to teach people the ling side of forms or drills if they just show up two times a week.
I have two programs one for the hobby student and one for the guy who shows up 4 times a week. Of course the guy who shows up gets all of the two man sets and becomes a fighter.
But, I still like to promote the health aspects of the mantis style as much as the fighting. Everyone can benefit.
and if there was a weak point to mantis I still say it could be the grappling, (not saying it is weak there)
Have a good day