1) Don’t Be Intimidated By More Advanced Students:
It is easy to feel intimidated when you are the new member in the classes. Don’t let it deter you from training with advance students who may know much more than you do. Many advanced students enjoy training with beginners since it allows them to brush up on their fundamentals. Advanced students are more likely to take it easy on you and give you pointers to improve your game as you train. You are training/sparring sessions with more advanced students will be some of your most productive times in your classes.
2) Try To Match Up Your Training Partner’s Level:
Don’t be afraid to pair up with someone more advance or on your level. Sometimes you just want to push yourself now and again. You will find that you may enjoy the challenge that will push your training beyond your limits and you will get better with each mistake until you perfect the move. Usually members tend to find their suitable partners before they start their class to avoid this issue.
3) Don’t Resist All Your Partner’s Techniques When Drilling:
Don’t be the person who puts their all into resisting techniques when drilling. The point of drilling techniques is to learn their mechanics while dealing with minimal resistance. Communicate with your training partners, and don’t resist more than they can handle.
This doesn’t mean you should be a dead fish when drilling. Some resistance is okay. Just ensure your partner is okay with your level of resistance.
4) Avoid Over-Coaching Similarly Skilled Or More Advanced Training Partners:
That gets annoying quickly and can earn you a reputation as a know-it-all. It is like a person who can’t swim giving swimming advice to an Olympic competitor, it is really irritating. It is okay to give some pointers if your training partner needs it, but don’t stop drills or training sessions to give unsolicited advice. If your training partners think highly of your abilities, they will ask you for some advice.
5) Learn To Accept Constructive Criticism:
Sure, it is always more fun to hear about what you are doing right than what you are doing wrong, but you need to learn to identify and accept genuine criticism that comes from a desire to see you improve. Don’t get frustrated if an instructor or training partner points out flaws in your game. Think of it as these people caring enough for you to want to see you grow.
6) Ask For Help If You Need It:
Advance training partners and instructors are there to answer any questions you have. No one will judge you for asking about things you don’t know, so don’t be shy. If there is a particular technique you are struggling with, talk to your training partners or instructors for more advice.
7) Be Gentle With Training Partners:
Always remember that the point of training is for you and your training partner to finetune your skills. Don’t use your training partners as punching bags. Communicate how intense you plan to go before your training session and ensure they are okay with it. Do not dominate your training partners just because you are more skilled, bigger, or stronger. Match the intensity of your training partners and only go all out with consenting equally skilled and sized training partners.
8) Know When To Accept Defeat:
Never let your ego get the best of you when training, Most good training partners will go easy on you, but they might not be eager to train with you next time if you let ego get the best of you. Teamwork is all about mutal respect for yourself and your training partners. You are acknowledging that you are working togther to ensure you both get the best training, fair and square.
9) Learn How To Hold Pads:
Learn how to hold pads if you are learning a striking-based martial art like Muay Thai, Boxing, or Kickboxing. Focus mitts are major training tools in these sports, and your training partners will typically hold them up for you. Pay attention to advance students and instructors whenever you see them holding pads so you can do the same for your training partners.
Member might start to avoid you during drills if you build a reputation as someone who doesn’t know how to hold pads correctly. They also be less likely to hold pads for you, which can also impact your training.
10) Keep A Positive Attitude:
How you behave in the class impacts how your training partners view you. You do not want to show up in the class every day with a frown on your face as if you are not happy to be there. People tend to gravitate towards those they are comfortable with, so be positive and helpful to others. This will earn you a reputation at the school as one of the people that everyone feels comfortable coming up to and ask questions about training tips.
Your instructors and advance training partners will notice how helpful you are around the school and be more willing to go out of their way to help you with things you might be struggling with since they see how helpful you are with others.
Book your FREE TRIAL and come along to ladies kickboxing and fitness classes at Evolution Martial Arts and Fitness academy.
