Why does everyone think this principle means you have to use resistance exercises that mimic sporting movements? Is this a case of people misinterpreting the principle along with not understanding what strength is and how it works? Or is it just a flawed principle which reaches too far?

I would very much like this word banned from the earth.

You are going to have to make a case rather than tossing that out there and having me respond to what I imagine your case to be.

Maybe start with a clearer statement of what "everyone thinks."

I was looking forward to this discussion.

Tbk, any context or further elaboration?

Yeah arguing with idiots on the internets about how to improve oneself for sport. Like if you want to improve your golf swing (other than by working on your swing ldo) you have to do lifts that mimic the swing. Like woodchoppers or whateverthe****, even though that doesn't even closely mimic the actual swing anyways.

My argument is that a novice strength trainee will benefit best by getting strong all over using basic lifts. Strength is a general quality and is not specific to the movement it was gained in. Get your squat/bench/dead/chin/press/etc stronger instead of doing gimmicky crap that you might see in a golf rag. I don't see any weakness that can become of this, other than someone completely neglecting mobility work, which is an entirely separate issue anyways.