Principles of Ferocity Part1

So let’s start with a literal definition of Ferocity… Most all of the definitions that you find center around violence, anger and rage.  The definition that I like the best when looking at Ferocity is:

“ Acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity.” 

Except I would for the purposes of describing myself replace the word emotional with passionate. 

OK so now we have the definition part out of the way, we can start talking about the different forms of Ferocity as I see them.  Some of the methods of Ferocity that  I will be talking about will require a more advanced understanding of yourself(your Nature) and of the sport/art that you are currently practicing, so not all of this will be applicable at this time for everyone.

Often times with newer fighters and those fighters that feel like they are over matched you see a sense of fear or inadequacy manifest itself as a form of Ferocity, but even though at times this can play out into a favorable result this is not based on strengths, it is based on weakness and an opponent with some understanding can not only capitalize on this but they can continue to fuel it to their own advantage.  This is the first step in understanding and taking control of your own nature, what is driving you to act, why, what is lacking from you that would limit you…Can you answer these questions or do you need to search out teachers to help you along?  Being truthful with yourself and really taking an inward look will get you pointed in the right direction so that what you are experiencing and feeling are Real, and not limited to what your opponent wants you to See/Feel.

With that said lets talk about the first real trained type of Ferocity that I see at a variety of different skill levels.  I affectionately call it “Being the Bull”, and it can be very effective against those that don’t know how to fight it…J  The Bull try’s to control the fight through deliberate aggression with little reaction to their opponent.  The Bull stocks its target, and most of the time predetermines a course of action and a set of combinations that they feel will end in success.  They stock their opponent from range looking for that ideal time to strike and then BAM away they go, and once they are “set” in motion they complete their pass.  The more experience and the more tools that the Bull has at their disposal, the more dangerous they become.  The Bull can be scary and dangerous to fight because they exude a lot of  energy at their target and if you are not ready for the Charge you may fall prey to the onslaught.  The Bull has its place, as long as you KNOW that you are being the Bull, and as long as you are in control of your triggers and timing.  A lot of folks start out here and learn to turn their ferocity on and off, they channel their energy and focus it into a very aggressive attach, and leave their fear behind.  For the more experienced fighter who brings a level of passion to this form of Ferocity the energy that they push onto their opponents can be quite overwhelming.  This type of Ferocity will evolve as your understandings change and evolve.  In practicing this I would encourage you to stay visual in the fight with both your eyes and your feelings so that you can learn from each and every encounter.  This style of Ferocity is generally very rudimentary because as one evolves they transition out of the Bull into a more well rounded and less predictable creature.