language is like a sport

From Tim Ferriss:

Consider a new language like a new sport.

There are certain physical prerequisites (height is an advantage in basketball), rules (a runner must touch the bases in baseball), and so on that determine if you can become proficient at all, and—if so—how long it will take.

Languages are no different. What are your tools, and how do they fit with the rules of your target?

I think I like this analogy.  Sometimes my students do get bogged down in the minutiae of the language, completely missing the big picture.  It's a bit like knowing there are five ways for a player to get to first base without hitting the baseball, but not knowing that three strikes is out.  I mention that the basic word order in Latin is Subject Object Verb, so they know to expect the verb to tie everything together at the end of the thought.  A few of the students suddenly become fixated on the proper placement of every single element, rather than considering how the case endings work to make meaning.

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Oh, the five ways to get on base?
walk
hit by pitch
catcher loses control of ball on strike three
catcher interference (impeding the batter's swing)
coach puts him in as a pinch runner (haha, thanks Car Talk guys)