In Defense: Of Not Fighting When It Is NOT Allowed in Sports

The four-part "In Defense" series continues. First a disclaimer: fighting is not encouraged outside of sports, especially in sports where it is allowed. Can athletes control their behavior outside of sports? Yes. Can they lose control? Yes. Either way, the act of fighting affects training just as training affects how someone physical and mentally fights. Yes, a fight is a one-on-one battle. But, it is also a journey - something that every athlete and every exerciser endures.

Hopefully, we all mentally fight.

Arguably, one of the most personally frustrating things to see in sports is fighting when it is not allowed. Baseball, basketball, football and other sport brawls make very little sense. At least, the other sports (ice hockey, boxing, martial arts) have it permissibly written in their rules. You would be surprised by how many other people like to see fighting when it is an uncontrolled melee. Does it take away from the skill of the game? Yes. Does it bring down the toughness and intimidation level when fighting is not allowed and it occurs? Yes. No grey area here.

Toughness. So, an opposing player gets in your face in one of the above non-fighting sports. You want to engage but back off. The next best thing is use the skill in that particular sport to drive in some points or a slick move to make the opposing antagonist look...stupid and clumsy. Toughness is backing away from an antagonist. It is also capitalizing off the near skirmish.  

As an exerciser, there most likely are not as many times when you want to go toe-to-toe with someone in a physical-sense. But, mentally there are plenty of battles. Think about the runner who does not want to get passed or the runner who needs to pass another runner. Think about the person whose bones and joints ache; everyday is a struggle. Most deeds take longer than 10, 20, and 40 years ago. Think about the person who suddenly gained 40 pounds due to a life crisis or depression.

They are all fighters when they attack their issue and, well, score by changing their physical structure.

Unlike athletes who fight in sports where physical fighting is not allowed, the exerciser can always fight physically (or with body) and mentally. In this case, the grit takes discipline and a lot of persistence.

With heart,
Derek

Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS       www.teempt.com       TEEM Performance Training