Do you have it? What is it?

What does it mean to have the mindset of a finisher? Is it nonsense? Or is there really something to using your mind to increase your ability to finish?

Think of it this way:

Does a predatory animal actually worry about getting tired while pouncing? The answer is no. It does what it does out of necessity! It finishes its prey. And that’s exactly what I want you to do!

Many windows of opportunity are closed due to fear. For the reality stands: Fear is one of the greatest motivators. In this case it is motivating you to thwart the attempt to finish. It stagnates your body, freezes it up trapping it in a cocoon of normality and comfort.

You have been there, scored your points, passed a guard or swept your opponent. And then it stops. The idea of winning becomes powerful. This be a match, a training session or a drill while your instructor watches from the safety of the sidelines. Winning is like a drug, it is intoxicating.

The answer is do what the predator does. Finish! Do so out of necessity. Flip the switch in your mind. Every ounce of greatness comes from someone doing something out of the essential need to accomplish a goal. In this case the goal is to finish!

Be a finisher.

-Dave Camarillo

-John the smasher enters the academy. He looks around for a partner to roll with.

I am here to smash! Who is my next victim? Will it be you, smaller slightly more agile but much weaker partner? Or you, aging grey haired guy who just started taking lessons? Oh no, that would be too easy. I need more of a challenge. Ahhhhh..there it is; A perfect partner for me to get my fix in on. Not too small, but petite enough for me to impose my will. Not too weak, but weak enough to throw around. Not too young, but old enough to make resisting futile.

-John the Smasher

“Hey Jennifer, you want to roll?”

The Next Day

-Head Instructor

“Looks like we lost another student.”

-Gym manager

“Really? Who?”

-Head Instructor

“Jennifer told me she doesn’t fit in here. And she left”

Every academy struggles with similar type scenarios. Many students of combative arts need to get there ‘fix’ in. They need to feel the gratitude of smashing another student. I can even speak with experience. I have felt that many times in my grappling career. Competitors feel this more than everyday students. It is at times a detriment and at times a value. It is a necessary part of a growing sport and thriving Martial Art.

A few things for those who experienced this first hand:

First of all it is ok to feel this. As a matter of fact there are 3 times of experiences one should go through to reach their full potential.

1)   dominating a fellow student

2)   getting dominated by a fellow student

3)   and having a close battle with another student

All 3 have their ups and downs. They all have value. Stay in a balance and you will thrive. But remember, there is always a proper time to smash, get smashed and have a tough battle.

To shed light on the subject I have compiled a short list of principles that if followed will make for a very healthy and safe environment in the academy!

1)   Cater your training to who you are training with. Never train with an older or inexperienced person the same as you would train with a young hotshot on the mat.

2)   Do not take someone’s defense and durability as a challenge. If someone avoids your submission for an extended period of time, that doesn’t mean its ok to use rough and tough methods to finish them. Stay smooth and the finish will come. And your opponent won’t get hurt.

3)   An instructor should recognize when you are slowing down your game and attributes so a lesser opponent can learn and develop. Don’t think that just because your instructor is watching you that they are grading you and will promote you based on how many times you can tap a 70 year old.

4)   I know you are strong, stop flexing!

5)   Know when to turn it up. In a competition class setting it is ok to push yourself and your opponent. In regular class it is not ok to go for broke! Cause you might actually break something.

6)   Don’t ‘jerk’ submissions! There is a difference between ‘eating the fish’ and jerking someone’s arm off and mounting it on your wall. And that difference has nothing to do with the salmon you had for dinner. Read my blog!

7)   If you are reading this part you probably already know this stuff and thus will not benefit from it. If so you are cool. And cool people share their knowledge. Spread the word and help the academy to be a safe place where everyone can learn and enjoy this great art!

8)   Always remember to give thanks to Bruce Lee, Jigoro Kano and Helio Gracie!

Follow these and you will have fun learning and excelling! Have a great day, a great life and a great roll! Cheers!

Technique Video: Modified De La Riva #1

By Guerrilla JJ Instructor: Matt Darcy

On the plane flight home from a seminar the line popped in my head, Eat the Fish! After returning home I checked Facebook and there it was again, Eat the Fish, posted by attendees of the seminar. It is a reminder to those who are inspired by what it means. It has been with me since I was young, is with me now and will be the day I pass. It is a concept for life, achievement and for this subject matter, Jiu-Jitsu. A mother and father instilled culture, a mindset, a default setting…call it what you will. Whatever it is it works. When in doubt, Eat the Fish!

I tend to use analogies to make things make sense to those who will listen. Eat the Fish, for me is a concept I developed recently, but has been with me for as long as I can remember. It culminates everything that I grew up to understand, if you want something, don’t ‘kind of’ get it, go after it!

Sometimes this was taken too far. It is true, like with anything in life, it can be taken too far. A mindset that teaches you to stalk your prey, position yourself for the kill and then pounce, could very well hurt those who are unworthy. They can be looked at as casualties of eating too much fish. They get in the way, defend too hard and challenge the ego. But this doesn’t have to be. It is possible to find the balance, to control the appetite.

To truly find a balance one must learn beyond what is expected. They must combine-Technical Proficiency-Situational Awareness-Experience, and use these tools to control the power that Eat the Fish gives you. It is possible; I have done it.

The power that Eat the Fish gives you is immense. After understanding this concept the world is yours. Everything is different, how you see the world changes. This has nothing to do with your eyes. It does, however, have to do with how your mind interprets what you see. If you can see it, you can have it!

Eat the Fish has to do with getting what you want. Many fail when challenged. Do not ask for permission, pick a proper moment and smash your way in! There is no taking ‘no’ for an answer! Timing is crucial, but once the proper timing is established, get it done!

My father took me fishing and talked about a strange ritual in which you would catch a fish, then let it go. They called it catch and release. I remember asking him, “what is the point of releasing the fish?” He would answer, “it is not about taking the fish home, it is more about the catch”.

You are not here to try, you are here to do! You are not here to fail, you are here to succeed. If you can see it, you can have it. That guard is there to pass, that arm is there to lock. That mount is there to take, that neck is there to choke. This is without hesitation, only with conviction. Not to harm, but to take. This is not Catch and Release. This is EAT THE FISH!