Hey folks. I’ve found that working mitts with guys who don’t know what their doing is really frustrating and afterwards I feel like I’ve regressed. When I find myself in this situation, is it better to skip it or am I really actually getting something out of it even if it feels awkward? By “don’t know what they’re doing” I mean holding the mitts at the wrong place, moving them weird, not catching the punches properly etc.
Better yet, when I find myself in this situation, is there something else I should work on that can still be helpful? If they’re not going to catch it right or hold them in the proper spots, should I just work footwork or something?
The guys holding the mitts need to learn as well. I’d say as the more advanced student in the situation its your job to help the guy out and improve him so that the next time he’s holding pads for you you’re going to have a better experience.
Obviously if this guy’s some sort of staff member or isn’t listening to you then you need to talk to your coach and get that shit sorted out.
First i have to agree that it can suck balls, and even be dangerous, from getting cut by the “sharp” edge in your eye or injuring your hand or elbow from a bad hold.
If you train with them regularly it is worth your time, as you might have noticed, to teach them how to hold. Also talk to your trainer and tell him that it is a problem with some of the noobs and that you think he should take some time from class to teach proper holding.
If the holder is still shit, i would not hit hard as it will only worsen, and use his pads as pointers where to aim but basically pull the punches. Just make a point to tell them that when they hit you with the pads not to aim with the sharp edge but with the flat padded part.
back when i was coaching sanda, i got a lot of flak from my fellow instructors because i wanted to dedicate some time every 8 weeks to proper pad holding technique.
it was considered a “waste of time” by most of them.
i think the gains of having a room full of people properly holding pads for each other outweigh the “loss” of 10 minutes of class time every 8 weeks, but maybe that’s why i quit teaching there.
I think some people look at holding mitts as a boring part of training and forget really quick what they’re told, because holding mitts is not the “fun part”. People just prefer hitting pads instead of holding them, imo. Anybody can be lazy and not put enough into it, or get distracted etc including instructors. If they do, and you notice, your training is probably doing OK.
You didn’t say whether it was punching, kicking (or both) or why you train (are you a competitor?). If you’re just training to train then I’d do what Fuzzy and erezb suggest and help out in a friendly reminder sort of way.
If you’re training to compete in some serious format, you might not want to be so nice about it because it probably is regressing you on some level.
[QUOTE=W. Rabbit;2832511]I think some people look at holding mitts as a boring part of training and forget really quick what they’re told, because holding mitts is not the “fun part”. [/QUOTE]
yeah, those are the same people who are shitty uke during judo uchikomi.
Ugggghhh that is literally the worst! I’d rather do nothing at all that work with someone who sucks at holding pads, BUT I think that people are right that its worth investing some time into teaching them how to do it right.
There’s this guy at my gym who fancies himself to be a masterful padholder (spoiler: he’s not) and I’ve tried to correct him but it never sticks. When he first came to the gym, he would pat down wayy too hard/far on the punches. When I told him not to do that anymore, he’s taken to the opposite extreme where he does the padwork equivalent of limp-noodle handshakes.
When he first came to the gym, he would pat down way too hard/far on the punches. When I told him not to do that anymore, he’s taken to the opposite extreme where he does the padwork equivalent of limp-noodle handshakes.[/QUOTE]Good to read a pro mention this. I see this all the time. Where the guy or gal holding, is smacking the shots harder than it seems like they are being thrown.
The second offense is the one I am often guilty of. At least until I get the rhythm and timing of a new partner. When I first pair with someone I always tell them “put them where you want them.” That way I get a feel for exactly what they are looking for from me.