What Makes A Great Sparring Partner?

Being a great training partner is very tricky.

A good sparring partner can learn and improve their skills wrestling with someone, no matter their size or skill level - while still wrestling safely so no one gets hurt.

How to train with someone less skilled, smaller, or weaker than you:

Your job when you are training with someone less skilled/smaller/weaker than you is to make sure you are still learning, while making sure your partner learns, has fun, and doesn't get hurt.

The 2 Don'ts

Don't think, "this is too easy for me, I'll just do nothing and chill out/flop around."

Don't smash, squish, or hurt your partner just because you are better or bigger than them.

The 4 Do's

Do think, "what tricky techniques am I not good at yet, that I need to practice and improve?"

Do practice those moves on your less skilled/smaller/weaker partner gently and carefully.

Do help your partner by telling them some hints on what they should do if they aren't sure. Use your words.

Do let your partner practice some of their moves on you. Let them take you down and let them submit you.

Most Importantly

A great training partner is ALWAYS thinking, "Can my partner handle this level?"

If they look scared, smaller, confused, or tired -> reduce intensity.

Intensity just means how hard you are going. In Jiu Jitsu, we usually describe our intensity in %'s.

100% = The hardest you can go - like someone jumped out of a bin and tried to kidnap you.

99% = Competition mode - when you go this hard, it's common for injuries to occur.

80% = This is the hardest we go in the gym - we are trying to win now, and only go this hard with a partner you know well and trust.

50% = This is our usual training pace - we don't care about winning or losing the wrestle, only improving techniques we aren't good at yet.

10% = Imagine you had to wrestle a puppy or a new born baby.

A great training partner knows when to use training moves, competition only moves, and avoids using illegal moves

Training Moves - These are our regular moves that are ok as long as they are done at the right intensity (%).

Competition Only Moves - These are moves that are allowed in Jiu Jitsu but are still pretty mean. They can be dangerous or painful. These are moves that are best saved for competition only and should only be used in training when your coach has specifically given you permission to train at competition pace. Moves like:

• Slamming your partner down hard after picking them up for a double leg takedown
• Squishing your partner's head as hard as you can when doing a cross face
• Squeezing your grips as hard as you can
• Smothering your partner's mouth and nostrils with your hand or chest
• Doing any move 100%
• Neck cranks

Illegal moves - These are moves that are extremely dangerous and aren't ever allowed.

• Grabbing/bending fingers back
• Eye pokes
• Kicking/punching
• Groin strikes

How to train with someone bigger, better, or stronger than you: