Training course: switch partner ?

[kmisgood]

Hi, during a training course, is it better to stay with the same partner for all the course or to switch partner ?

[rickprado]

Originally Posted by kmisgood

Hi, during a training course, is it better to stay with the same partner for all the course or to switch partner ?

Is this a trick question? Just kidding.

It's always good to switch partners. You need to learn different heights, weights, skill levels, so that if/when you are attacked by someone who's arms are longer, or shorter or fatter than your training partner, you aren't surprised because you've trained against different people.

[kmisgood]

Ok Thanks

Originally Posted by rickprado

Is this a trick question? Just kidding.
It's always good to switch partners. You need to learn different heights, weights, skill levels, so that if/when you are attacked by someone who's arms are longer, or shorter or fatter than your training partner, you aren't surprised because you've trained against different people.

[MDeaneUSCG]

It's really a double edged sword. On one hand, yes, you get all the good experience of dealing with different types of people, which can change how you have to make your defenses (what works on your 4'9" 110lb female partner likely won't have the same effect on the 6'7" 240lb giant of the class).

On the other hand though, as you work with someone, you start to build a trust, which can be a valuable thing in a training environment. You start to know much you up the pressure on your partner, and you feel more comfortable actually attacking them because you know they will make the defense. Then, you switch partners, and now you've got someone massaging your neck because they don't want to actually choke you, or they punch 6" off the side of your face when working inside defenses, and you don't get anything out of it.

I think it is good to develop good training relationships with a few different people of different sizes and statures so you can get the variance in body type without the sacrifice of having to teach someone new how to attack you. I'm also a fan of working the technique with your normal partner, and then doing the "A, B" drill where A's get attacked by B's and then they switch. That way, you get to learn the technique in a controlled environment with someone you are comfortable with, and then are put into the drill and have to adapt it on the fly to new people, like you would in the real world.

[Kiddon]

As already stated it is clear that you have advantage training with several partners because for the same menace you must have a different defense if your opponent is larger or smaller, and to training your body for a diferent response too.

[KMyoshi]

If you mean switching partners on a class-by-class basis I believe this is a good habit as it puts you out of your comfort zone and you also get to train with a variety of different people. I would not switch in the middle of class unless the instructor said so though.