Team and the Individual Sport
By Michael Reilly
http://bisons.net
Combat Sports are “individual” sports by nature. No other game so isolates an athlete. The cage provides a pronounced separation between you and the rest of the world. Once that door closes you are on your own baby. It is all you. So what role does “team” play in such an individual sport? What effect does a “team” have on the outcome of a fight? Your team really only makes one difference: the difference between winning and losing.
When Royce Gracie made his first walk to the Octagon it was at the head of the now famous Gracie Train. Unlike every other fighter in the first UFC’s Royce was part of a team; a team that ensured that he was the best prepared athlete in the game. Seeing that train of well conditioned serious athletes should have been a signal to everyone that the scrawny was going to win. Alone Royce was just one skinny man; as a Gracie he became a legend and reshaped the world of martial arts. Every Gracie fighter walks to the ring greater then the sum of their parts because they bring the team with them. Other great teams like rAw, Lion’s Den, Top Team, Team Militich and many others have made their presence felt. Fighters who surround themselves with a team will be far more successful than those who walk alone.
Your team will push you beyond where you thought you could go. Your team forces you to confront weakness. Your team is family and like any good family they will be rougher on you then anyone else will be. Frequently at practice I tell my fighters “if you ever experience something worse in the ring than you experience here; we have failed.” When fighters care about one another they will be merciless. They will choke you harder, drive you longer and when you are doubled over the bucket or soaking up a blood rag they will laugh louder than anyone else would dare. They will tap you out, dog you out and occasionally knock you out. Your brothers are hard on you so that no one else can be. And unlike anyone else in the game they will love you.
That last part; you know the part that guys really don’t talk about? The part that is never, and I mean never said out loud; is extremely important. Warriors are christened on the battle field; but they are made on the training ground. In our sport; fighters are made in practice. Being a fighter is a day in, day out deal. You have to train hours on end. Tired? To bad; hit it. Sore? To bad; hit it. Had a rough day? To bad; hit it. We put our bodies through bizarre amounts of abuse. Without love; the pursuit will crush you. No amount of money or fame will be worth what it will cost you.
The perfect team for a fighter is one that includes fighters less skilled, more skilled and equal skilled fighters who grows with you. You need a team that gives you a variety of looks, skills and people to spar with. The first team I really felt part of was a Judo team. Everyone there, every night of the week whipped my ass. They beat me so bad that every day I thought about quitting; but every night I went back. Then one night some big lug showed up for class and I tore him up. I was no longer low man; I had my equal, my whipping boy and of course 10 other guys who destroyed me. With all the elements in place, the joy of learning soon over shadowed the pain of learning and I was hooked for life.
For small teams it may be difficult for your team members to get all the elements they need. The higher you go the more team mates and partners you need. The best solution is to open your doors to other clubs; take part in small shows and tournaments. Visit other academies and bring in guest instructors. Understand that Team does not mean isolated. Too many Dojo in the martial arts world have descended down the path of teaching watered down, unrealistic baloney because they are cut off from the real world. They never test themselves against other warriors. They are more cult than team.
On a team everyone works together, everyone plays their role. The old hands are the gate keepers. When they allow someone to be accepted into the fold they also ensure new fighters are treated with brutal respect. Everyone was the new guy at some point and remembers what it was like taking their beatings day in and day out. More experienced fighters are expected to dish out rememberable, though instructive whoopings; but they should also allow for success and encourage new teammates. Everyone has something to offer. Learn from all, teach to all. Every part of the team makes every part stronger.
Many fighters think they can be the lone wolf or rouge lion; but in truth such animals quickly become frightened, weak scavengers that rarely survive a hard winter. I have seen hundreds of guys at the bar and farm shows who “don’t need nobody;” guys too tough to train, to hard for a team. They do well on the Hillbilly/Hobo circuit; but against a real fighter from a solid team, the lone wolf becomes a battered cur. Those who live in the pack get stronger as the pack gets stronger. How can you not? Night after night you have to face that kid who loves to take a beating but gets a little tougher each time; or that old dog who never fails to catch you. You have to get stronger; the team will not allow anything else.
If you want to fight and win you have to train with a team. Be warned it will not be easy. Most teams require payment of some form to join. At Team Bison we demand a pound of flesh and a pint of blood. We demand you give as good as you get and come back for more. In return you never walk alone. When you fall you will be given a hand up or a kick in the butt (which ever is needed). We will hound you, torture you, beat you, choke you; we will run you till you drop and drop you till you run. That is life on a fighting team. But if you can make it through you will go to the ring carrying the team that carried you.
Understand when the cage door closes you are on your own. No one will sneak in behind the refs back. While your on your own; you are not alone. In team sports every player plays a role; but many never star. The lower parts are interchangeable. On a fight team every member at some time is called about to be the star. This is what sets combat sports apart. At some point if you play you have to be the star; the only one your team can depend on for victory. Every member of your team who has shared the mat with you, sweat with you and bled with you will be with you. Their hopes will give you heart. In defeat they will be there to build you up and make you stronger. In victory they will raise you up and make triumph so much sweeter. They will also be there next practice to keep you humble and hungry.