In this lesson, we will discuss the Sayoc concepts of “Feeder” and “Receiver.” This is the underlying principle behind the Sayoc mantra, “Be the Feeder.”
Mindset Definitions:
Feeder: The person initiating action and controlling the course of events
Receiver: The person reacting to what is happening
Initial Training Role Definitions:
Feeder: The person with the blade
Receiver: The person without the blade
We break these definitions out into separate categories because the goal in Sayoc is to always be the Feeder. However, in the course of our development as martial artists, a Feeder cannot improve if the Receiver stays static. In the beginning stages of training:
The Feeder learns offensive blade concepts – targeting, lines of attack, entries, clearing hand methodologies, etc
The Receiver learns how to counter the above with Receiver skill sets – parrying, striking, footwork, Sayoc stop-blocks, and Sayoc Silak.
Sayoc practitioners, over a period of time, are deliberately moved through a training evolution that transforms the “training version” of Feeder / Receiver into the “mindset” version of Feeder / Receiver. What this means, is that even though you may not have the blade, your mindset is such that you are still the Feeder. You are still initiating action and controlling the course of events. It is the Feeder Mindset that we are really striving for.
Reactionary Gap
The Feeder Mindset can be better understood by looking at military strategist, USAF Col. John Boyd’s OODA Loop theory. The OODA loop applies to any type of human competitive endeavor. A fist-fight, large-scale warfare, chess, or business. It is a constant feedback loop that all humans go through for each action taken.
Observe
Orient
Decide
Act
The essence of OODA boils down to what economists would call the most scarce of resources: Time. From this, and through thousands and thousands of repetitions, Sayoc relates this to what we call Reactionary Gap. We strive to “get inside” someone’s Reactionary Gap. We have the next move while our opponent is still processing/reacting to the last move.
In other words: It’s always better to go first.
The Training Rig
In training, one of the first tools we use to develop a Feeder mindset is the use of the “Training Rig.” Using Training Rigs is one the first steps in understanding what a Feeder is and what it means to think “All Blade, All the Time.”
The Training Rig is just that – a training tool. Just like a jiu-jitsu gi is a training tool. Just like a heavy bag, focus mitts, or dummy rounds are training tools for boxing and shooting.
The Training Rig is used as a means to develop blade awareness and install the fact that a blade can be produced from anywhere. It also serves the purpose of preventing the development of training scars. Things like visually tracking dropped blades, handing blades over to our training partner (“opponent” during training), and even having a blade on us in the first place(!).
Don’t be the guy who holsters his blade in his gym bag.
The Training Rig is an often misunderstood part of Sayoc training. Just think of it like this: No one wears the gi to the grocery store and no one loads their EDC mags with dummy rounds. Why is that? Because they are for training.
NEXT: Sayoc Vital Templates –>