[svoss03]

I thought about just letting it go but damn guys do you read before you respond? I think legshot may be the only one that understood that I DO control my aggression but I would like to be able to use that agression effectively.

I did not say that I snapped on anyone in sparring or that I cant keep my composure.

Maybe its too deep for some of you or maybe you dont have any idea WTF I'm talking about but you should atleast read/comprehend if you are going to use your keyboard warrior skills to slay the mighty white belt.

[Lizardman]

First off, make sure you're not confusing the "zone" with losing control. Anyone who's fought seriously knows this place of mental peace. Pain being reduced, faster responses, etc. Basically an adrenaline dump. As long as you can keep you head in such a situation, you'll be fine. How? Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, and more Practice.

As long as you stay out of control of your actions, you'll never be at your best. I'm sure you know this, but I have a reason for bringing it up.

Your no mind/blank mindset seems more survival based and not retaliatory. That said, the auto-pilot reaction is a great way to get stomped and put out even faster than keeping your cool and being in control of the situation. A human's natural weapon is his mind. Going on auto in a situation like this is akin to fighting with a stick in a fire fight.

This "nobody can hurt me", "I don't feel pain", "eliminate the enemy" talk makes me wonder if you've ever been humbled. I mean put in positions where no matter what you did, you were outclassed. When this happens, you'll realize your best bet isn't going feral, but doing the exact opposite and controlling the situation.

Also, realize what your doing at the moment. You're not in a survival situation. Street-fighting requires a completely different mindset. MMA != Street-fighting. You should be either sparring or competing. Not trying to off someone. That said, there is no need for such a reaction at anytime. If your getting tooled, either suck it up or walk away and train with someone else who's willing to train, instead of stroking their ego.

Personally, I think aggression is over-rated. I perform better calm and collected, not "angry" like my old football coaches used to spew. I know when to take care of business and when to avoid stupid situations.

Hope this helps.

[The_Bear]

through combat you will learn to control ur anger and not bottle it

[svoss03]

Originally Posted by Lizardman

First off, make sure you're not confusing the "zone" with losing control. Anyone who's fought seriously knows this place of mental peace. Pain being reduced, faster responses, etc. Basically an adrenaline dump. As long as you can keep you head in such a situation, you'll be fine. How? Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, and more Practice.

As long as you stay out of control of your actions, you'll never be at your best. I'm sure you know this, but I have a reason for bringing it up.

Your no mind/blank mindset seems more survival based and not retaliatory. That said, the auto-pilot reaction is a great way to get stomped and put out even faster than keeping your cool and being in control of the situation. A human's natural weapon is his mind. Going on auto in a situation like this is akin to fighting with a stick in a fire fight.

This "nobody can hurt me", "I don't feel pain", "eliminate the enemy" talk makes me wonder if you've ever been humbled. I mean put in positions where no matter what you did, you were outclassed. When this happens, you'll realize your best bet isn't going feral, but doing the exact opposite and controlling the situation.

Also, realize what your doing at the moment. You're not in a survival situation. Street-fighting requires a completely different mindset. MMA != Street-fighting. You should be either sparring or competing. Not trying to off someone. That said, there is no need for such a reaction at anytime. If your getting tooled, either suck it up or walk away and train with someone else who's willing to train, instead of stroking their ego.

Personally, I think aggression is over-rated. I perform better calm and collected, not "angry" like my old football coaches used to spew. I know when to take care of business and when to avoid stupid situations.

Hope this helps.

Yeah it helps and I appreciate it.


I am pretty sure I've never been in the "zone" and in control at the same time. I know that there is a certain point I can go to without loosing control but I dont know how to get in the zone without becoming very aggressive and potentially loosing control. Its a result of past experiences and you're right it is a survival based reaction.

Thanks for helping me to see it from another perspective.

[ForeverFiending]

Yea, I think you should definately go find someone to discuss these feelings with (aka shrink) so that you can understand yourself better/ deal with it better.

No, you DO NOT allow yourself to "snap" sparring. Losing control is NOT a desired trait in a fighter. If you do it, you will get your ass kicked out of every gym. It is NOT personal. Your idiot friend will get his in sparring. Guys who spar like assholes get treated like assholes by better fighters eventually. This sounds like it has very little to do with HIM and everything to do with YOU. NO, you should NOT want to have control over your demon and let him out sometimes. Your "demon" you are talking about IS your enemy. There is nothing good about that feeling that you claim feels good. What REALLY feels good is knowing you have the ability to defend yourself and complete control of who you are and what you're doing. I'm sorry to hear that you have been in situations of life or death, that is tough and it's good you made it through, but that is the past. Require more from yourself... and if you can't get a grip than consider leaving the gym until you do. It's funny how all kinds of crazy inner stuff surfaces in the ring... lol

[ForeverFiending]

Originally Posted by Lizardman

First off, make sure you're not confusing the "zone" with losing control. Anyone who's fought seriously knows this place of mental peace. Pain being reduced, faster responses, etc. Basically an adrenaline dump. As long as you can keep you head in such a situation, you'll be fine. How? Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, and more Practice.

As long as you stay out of control of your actions, you'll never be at your best. I'm sure you know this, but I have a reason for bringing it up.

Your no mind/blank mindset seems more survival based and not retaliatory. That said, the auto-pilot reaction is a great way to get stomped and put out even faster than keeping your cool and being in control of the situation. A human's natural weapon is his mind. Going on auto in a situation like this is akin to fighting with a stick in a fire fight.

This "nobody can hurt me", "I don't feel pain", "eliminate the enemy" talk makes me wonder if you've ever been humbled. I mean put in positions where no matter what you did, you were outclassed. When this happens, you'll realize your best bet isn't going feral, but doing the exact opposite and controlling the situation.

Also, realize what your doing at the moment. You're not in a survival situation. Street-fighting requires a completely different mindset. MMA != Street-fighting. You should be either sparring or competing. Not trying to off someone. That said, there is no need for such a reaction at anytime. If your getting tooled, either suck it up or walk away and train with someone else who's willing to train, instead of stroking their ego.

Personally, I think aggression is over-rated. I perform better calm and collected, not "angry" like my old football coaches used to spew. I know when to take care of business and when to avoid stupid situations.

Hope this helps.

very nice.

[NinjaKilla187]

Originally Posted by svoss03

Since I don’t think any one I know would even begin to understand where I am coming from I thought I was on my own... Until I realized this forum would be a good place to ask. Awesome epiphany.

My fight game is aggressive. I was at a time, well accustomed to fighting in the street, a few times in what I thought was life or death. I am older and wiser now but this instinct is still alive in me and I am trying to control/harness my inner aggression. Some of you may understand what I am saying others will have no idea, hell maybe I really am alone on this? Those who do know what I am talking about might recall a time or two where it did not matter if you lived or died, what injuries you may sustain or what condition you were in after the fact. What mattered was taking out the enemy because they were your enemy.

Any body else as fucked up in the head?

Yes, see a shrink.

Controlled aggression is a good thing. If you are worried about controlling your aggression it is only because you realize that it might get the best of you and cause you to do things you otherwise wouldn't that can have life changing negative consequences.

There have been many champion fighters with personal demons that ruined their non-fighting lives. You can argue about what the consequences of their problems to them and society were in comparison to the relative benefit to them and society of their performance.

But chances are you and I will never be championship fighters. If you are feeding or allowing to fester that inner rage and the most it does for you is occassionally allow you to beat the shit out of some nobody in a street fight, unsactioned event or amatuer competition, it is hardly worth the risk.

Our jails and prisons are filled with people who did something in a fit of anger they otherwise would not have done.

If you are afraid of yourself you have issues that need to be delt with. You are not going to get good advice on mental health issues on the Sherdog forums, bro. Try elsewhere. Seriously.

[Gavin Smith]

TS get a book or two on sports psychology to learn about focus and switching on and most importantly how to controll it.

Whatever you do don't "snap" on a sparring partner, if you must then make sure you do it against someone who's good enough to give you a good kicking.

If reading/ studying sports psychology doesn't help and you're worried about controlling this the you should probably seek professional help.

Good luck with the training, hope you find the answer to your question

[svoss03]

Thank you gentlemen.

Are there any books you would recommend?

[fightingrabbit]

Originally Posted by svoss03

Yeah it helps and I appreciate it.


I am pretty sure I've never been in the "zone" and in control at the same time. I know that there is a certain point I can go to without loosing control but I dont know how to get in the zone without becoming very aggressive and potentially loosing control. Its a result of past experiences and you're right it is a survival based reaction.

Thanks for helping me to see it from another perspective.

learn to control your adrenal dump first of all.. and then maybe smoke a joint or two.

thats all i can say.