How to Be a Good Training Partner
Being a good training partner is crucial if you want your BJJ journey to be a positive and rewarding experience. Whether you’re training for fun, fitness, or competition, setting the right priorities can make all the difference. Let’s dive into what makes a good training partner and how to ensure you’re one of them, no matter whether you are a beginner in BJJ or already training in advanced classes.
Set Your Priorities Right
Training isn’t just about showing up and going through the motions. It’s about creating a safe, productive environment for you and your partner. The order of your priorities can shift depending on your training goals, but the core values remain the same.
Regular Training Priorities:
- Own Safety
- Partner’s Safety
- Learning
- Winning
Competition Training Priorities:
- Own Safety
- Partner’s Safety
- Winning
- Learning
These priorities ensure that you and your partner can train effectively and safely, regardless of your end goals.
Safety First
Whether you’re practicing for general fitness or preparing for a competition, safety should always come first. Injuries can set you back and jeopardize your training. Keeping yourself and your partner safe ensures that you can both continue to train and improve without unnecessary interruptions.
Learning Over Winning
In regular training, the focus should be on learning. Bad training partners prioritize winning over everything else, sometimes even at the cost of their own safety. This mindset is counterproductive. Instead of using your gym “wins” to track progress, use the correct priorities.
Ask yourself:
- Did I keep myself and my partner safe?
- Did I learn something new today?
If you can answer yes to both, then it was a good day.
The Pitfalls of Obsessing Over Winning
Obsessing over winning in training can lead to a toxic environment. It might push you to use unsafe techniques or apply excessive force, risking injury to yourself and your partner. Moreover, it stunts growth. You might win a sparring match, but you miss out on learning opportunities that could make you a better athlete in the long run.
Create a Positive Training Environment
Being a good training partner means fostering a supportive and positive atmosphere. Encourage your partner, celebrate small victories, and focus on mutual improvement. This approach not only makes training more enjoyable but also helps both of you progress faster.
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