Killer Instinct or No Mind??

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

What's better for combat? Having no fear, being constantly aggressive and fierce,explosive? Or being calm, methodical and cool headed? Fighting with the "killer instinct" would cause you to think ONLY about the fight or challenge at hand. You would be 100% focused and be determined to finish it. You pain tolerance would go up as well I think. A mental edge is also given because your oppnent may be intimidated.

One the other hand, being cool and calm with enable you to react with more than one solution in your head and to formulate ahead of your opponent. I think explosive power and heart would be weakened though. An aggressive fighter could be all over a more passive one and give him no time to recover.

So whats better? Anyone have thoughts, comments on this? I personally think for NHB a fighter with fighting spirit would overwhelm a more calmer fighter.

[gungfuhero]

Not that I'm a PFS expert, but from what I understand, Paul Vunak advocates being calm and cool at long and middle range(kicking and punching), going killer at close range, and back to calm while grappling.

I personally prefer to be calm when I spar. I'm aspiring to be a strategist and tactician and when I get p!ssed I usually do pretty badly. I don't quite have the emotional control to really use killer instinct well yet.

just my $0.02

[Ryu (non-working password]

YeLLa you two-faced bastard! Pick one!

Actually this is my opinion. I think you need a "controlled rage" in a real fight. Maybe rage is the wrong word. But you cannot bounce up and down like Bruce with that sardonic expression on your face when you are really involved in a scuffle. To me, completing raging and going all out is not fighting spirit. Fighting spirit is "gameness" but we won't get into that The danger or going all out with no emotional control is not one of whether or not the other man can use a strategy on you...simply it's a matter of wind. Getting tired. If you rage on someone, and it does not take them out, you will run a high risk of tiring yourself completely out. When you are tired, the nails in the coffin are set.
So when I gave the notion of "controlled anger" or "controlled rage" I am talking about the ability to be aggressive and mean without losing your wind, and without losing control of your emotions. There's nothing wrong with being aggresive, attacking first, and letting yourself hit until you're sure he's down...but you can do that without losing your focus on what you are doing. It's almost like you are pinpointing your aggression completely at your opponent. It's hard to explain I guess

But that's my opinion.

Take care,
Ryu

[Ronin]

When you have an opportunity to really hurt them, pour it on.

When they put you in a bad position and start hurting you, get your bearings and then explode out of it.

Otherwise, stay in control.


Also, in real life, escape at any opportunity rather than stick around and wait for things to get worse.

[Robbie]

I'm the calm style fighter,but when I have a perfect opening I unleash all my rage upon my opponent.

[Joe Manco]

Why can't you be a controlled killer?

In fact, most truly game fighters ARE controlled killers.

It is usually the "fast and furious" type of fighter who will pack it in if their ferocity fails to make a dent in an opponent.

The controlled killer OTOH is in no hurry to finish the job ... but when that weakness is finally exposed he seizes the moment and completes his task.

Yours truly,

Joe

[rockinronnie]

YT - Being aggressive is the best way to be in NHB. Being aggressive does'nt necessarily mean that you have "no fear". A fighter could be aggressive and intimidated at the same time. I often wonder when I watch the UFC, PRIDE etc, which of the fighters experiences absolutely "no fear". My guess would be few, if any at all. The fear is what drives them, IMO. If I remember correctly, both Sakuraba and Newton look fairly calm while fighting, but explosive (come to think of it, most in NHB are "explosive" - if a fighter lacks the explosiveness, then what else can they rely on for a good takedown, or a good strike?)

Like you mentioned, the "game plan" has to be set in their minds.

Once the fight starts; it's aggression, explosiveness and execution until the bitter end.

Ronnie.

_______________________________
A straight arm's still a broken arm - Master JPF

[rockinronnie]

Vovchancyn - "NO FEAR" ??

[Ryu (non-working password]

"controlled rage"
"controlled killer"

I like that one too.

Ryu

[Patterson]

I don't really get angry so I can't go apeshit. It always annoyed me when someone did that durring a casual grappling match. In a mma match I don't know, you have to think about endurance. But I don't think you have to go crazy to be really agressive. What Paul Vunak said makes sense to me, anything else is just wasted effort. When someone gets real agressive on the ground I just kind of let them do what they want and manhandle me around until they get tired.

[Underdog]

In a self defense situation, use the standard army tactics:

IF AMBUSHED, ASNWER WITH THE MAX FIREPOWER TO COVER RETREAT AND SETTLE ON A DEFENSIVE POSITION COVERING YOUR ESCAPE OR REGROUP.

On the other part, in sport strategy plays a big role, so your rythm is dictated by your opponent.

Personally, sparring-wise I'm a cool-headed conterpuncher, rarely I attack first.

[Evilution]

I think there are times to keep calm, so you don't waste energy, but when the opportunity presents itself you need to turn into an animal and go for the throat, so to speak. Even when you are calm though you need to keep in mind that you are there to HURT the other guy, it's cat and mouse and you are the cat.

[Jaguar Wong]

I like that term "Controled Killer". It's like holding a beast on a leash, then lettin' him go when you see the opening. You're in control of when you release it, and when you pull it back.

I would also think that "no mind" translates well to "no fear". I think you're talking more about aggression vs methodical. I think really calm approach is good for chaneling your fear, whereas the real aggressive guys with no fear can probably get sloppy and make a big mistake. If you can mix the two (controled killer) that's when you got the guy to watch out for. (Although I still fear the really aggresive guy )

I also think that being calm and methodical will also help in your training (increasing skills) as well as everday life (road rage anyone?). Relax...You'll live longer

[The Colonie Crusher]

There is a difference between sport and street. The difference: Adreniline. In a boxing match I am very agressive but I also try not to blow my load too eary. You have to pace yourself. In the street, I throw punches to kill and maime my opponent. Balls to the ****in' wall. I don't get into many street fights. I'm not one to fight when someone "stares at me" or "bumps into me and doesn't say excuse me". I used to be like that but no more. I have matured. However the way I think now, when the shit does go down. It's on. We're playin' for keeps. I will try to put my fist through your face and try to kill you with every punch and every choke I put on you I will try to kill you. Luckily I haven't had this scenario happen yet. And I hope it doesn't. But the next fight I get into will be only if the situation calls for it to be ABSOLOUTLY necessary. So to answer your question, I say in SPORT, as Cus D'Mato used to tell Tyson, have "illusive aggresion", but for the street and in a life or death encounter, go all out and "play for keeps".

Hope I helped answer your question.

[Ryu (non-working password]

I agree to a certain extent, but the only problem with going "apeshit" in the street is that if your initial onslaught doesn't end the fight, you might throw out your entire energy reserves. Adrenaline is sucking up HUGE amounts of energy. It is way easier to get tired on the street then in the ring. Everything is at its zenith.
So I do agree that you have to do damage, and fight all out aggressivly, but you have to be in control of your rage. That doesn't mean "no rage" but it means you're in control of it. Plus you don't have to "kill" people all the time either Some you do, but if the guy isn't a big threat just make him quit without hurting him.
That's more of a "bushido" aspect anyway ...well for those who are interested in it.

Take care,
Ryu