See Im the exact opposite on this one....if you don't have a good foundation, the building will crumble.
If a solid foundation (IE the stances and footwork) is not in place, the hands are pretty much useless or at least limited because true power comes from balance and rooting (structure), and without good "legs" (in both stance and footwork) one's hands will be limited as well. Remember "power comes from the ground"
"I don't know if anyone is known with the art of "sitting on your couch" here, but in my eyes it is also to be a martial art.
It is the art of avoiding dangerous situations. It helps you to avoid a dangerous situation by not actually being there. So lets say there is a dangerous situation going on somewhere other than your couch. You are safely seated on your couch so you have in a nutshell "difused" the situation."