16 Aug Three Types of Competition
There are three distinct types of competing and to take advantage of all opportunities for growth a fighter should look for all three on a consistent basis. In the most basic terms there are competitions where an athlete is the clear favorite, where they are even, and where they are the underdog. Each type of test will provide different skills and should be consistently sought out.
Determining a favorite in any match all comes down to outside expectations. When you look at competitions as process based you realize that it is more important to focus internally and create the circumstances for your own best performance. However, being able to focus 100% internally is very rare. However, each different input allows a chance to seek a higher level of performance.
In Las Vegas we would constantly race during strength and conditioning drills. My coach Korey Goodwin would my training partner Jimmy Spicuzza and I up and have us sprint full speed while jump roping. The drill itself took a tremendous amount of concentration. Once we added the competitive aspect to it a whole new perspective emerged. Then we added the final dimension. We would alternate starting with a 10 yard head start. It was amazing to watch the dynamics shift, and see how much performance was tied to those psychological factors.
This drill cause me to spend a lot of time in reflection on my own career in fighting and grappling. I’ve been the blue belt competing up against black belts, I’ve also now been the black belt taking on blue belts. Both scenarios have unique challenges. When I considered myself the underdog I had to focus on maintaining my gameness and focus and not assuming the match was lost before it started. In my second match as a newly promoted brown belt I took on Laercio Fernandez, who was at the time the second best light feather weight black belt in the world. I completely froze up in that match, but from that loss I took lessons that allowed me to perform better in subsequent matches. I recently grappled a lower ranked opponent, and because I expected to take him out quickly I was surprised when he easily defended my early submission attempts and began to counterattack. I was forced to refocus in order to win the match.
Both cases demonstrate how easy it is to get pulled in either direction by outside factors. In other instances being the perceived favorite or underdog allowed me to perform better, and I think the learning opportunities allowed the good moments to shine through.
I’ve seen other instances where individuals only opt for one type of match consistently and it stagnates their growth. If an athlete never competes up or down then they miss the opportunity to be stressed and therefore pushed in a positive direction. If they always are the favorite then they compete against those they can beat without their true ‘A’ game and it does not hold their preparation or execution truly accountable. Finally, and this is most common, if an athlete only competes as an underdog they always have a ready made excuse. This is the person who always competes up in weight, up a skill division, only at national events, or down an age group. It removes accountability. All losses already have the excuse ready to go. Entering an even division, or giving an up and comer their opportunity puts the pressure back on the athlete and removes the excuses.
Many instructors and coaches will talk about the benefits of competing but I believe that utilizing all three scenarios will lead to the long term growth. If one is missing than an opportunity for growth is being squandered. These scenarios are not just available in competition but everyday in the gym as well. Seek out all three types of training and push through plateaus towards potential.