Well i don't mean we would focus on certain positions for specific reasons. I mean instructors would spend a lot of time working X move or X position because they had just learned some new shit from there and they were stuck on that for a little bit. Example, a local instructor got caught up in the leg lock craze and was drilling almost entirely leg locks even with white belts. He eventually evened out but that's just one example.As someone who was teaching the "competition" class twice a weak I was trying to keep the class focused on a few positions.
Sweeping people is a ton more important for competitions than say escaping mount.
I disagree with your last statement. Basic mount is a fundamental position. That's the kind of stuff you should be drilling right before you step on the mat. All positions are important and not that sweeps aren't fundamental, but basics win fights and mount escapes are bare bones Jiu-Jitsu. When your sweep fails and you get mounted...
Edit: let's not derail this thread. Your post just gave me an idea for a thread.