Three key innovations of recurrent selection are proposed. (1) Back recurrent selection (BCRS) is a new method for transferring polygenic trait or several monogenic traits. With BCRS, breeders can tap several donor cultivars for the same polygenic trait, near-isogenic lines can be obtained for genetic studies of polygenic traits and cultivars can be improved while maintaining some unrevealed qualities. (2) New narrow-based populations (NBP) are proposed to overcome the broad-based population drawbacks. An NBP is created with a few progenitors, with each chosen to be the very best for each of the targeted traits. The use of NBP is the most important component of simplified and efficient rice breeding (SERB). (3) Resistance to rice blast disease is commonly overcome just after the cultivar is released. Plant-parasite reciprocal recurrent selection (2P2RS) is proposed to promote parasite adaptation during the breeding process. If this occurs, selection can still provide a solution.