Teamwork In Martial Arts

Much of what we do in our training involves “partner” training.

Martial Arts involves teams of two or three, where each member of the team, or “training partner” has the same job; to make their partner better. They do this by offering encouragement, feedback, focusing on what their partner is doing. In other words, being there for them. As these partners work with others, they get the experience of seeing what someone else is doing, perhaps emulating what they are having success with. As this continues, everyone gets better by joint participation. “The rising tide lifts all boats”.

Compared to “Training Partners” in martial arts, traditional team sports differ in that “players” are matched up as “opponents” based on their team functions. The goal of these match-ups is for one of the players to “better” the other. And while it’s true, in most cases, that at the end of sports games teams come out to the field and congratulate each other, the feed back received is not the same, and it’s a little late. Training partners in martial arts provide feedback immediately. It’s the best way to make a measurable impact.

Let’s look at the partner activities that we find in our martial arts program.

1. Sparring: This is a common practice in martial arts where two or more individuals participate in controlled combat. They must learn to communicate and work effectively with their partner to practice techniques without causing injury.

2. Partner Drills: Many martial arts classes incorporate partner drills. These require coordination and mutual cooperation, helping to foster teamwork.

3. Group Exercises: Some martial arts involve synchronized movements, often performed in a group. Achieving the harmony and synchronization needed requires teamwork.

4. Training Camps or Classes: Martial arts training camps require a high level of team involvement. Participants often must rely on each other for motivation, support, and learning.

5. Demonstration Teams: In many martial arts schools, there are demonstration teams where a group of martial artists perform choreographed routines, often requiring a great deal of practice and teamwork.

6. Competitions & Tournaments: Competing as part of a martial arts team requires participants to support each other, strategize, and work together towards achieving a common goal.

7. Teaching and Mentoring: In many martial arts schools, higher ranked students assist lower ranked students in learning new techniques, encouraging teamwork, communication, and respect for each other.

8. Team-Based Practices: In some martial arts styles like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Judo, there are practices that require a group of practitioners to team up against one or two individuals.

9. Joint Warm-Up sessions: At the beginning of many martial arts classes, all students come together for a joint warm-up session, helping foster a spirit of teamwork and unity.

10. Belt Testing: All students work together to encourage each other during these difficult exams, displaying their teamwork skills. They might hold pads for each other, perform partner drills, or support each other in other ways.

Since not everything is a competition in martial arts training, there is greater emphasis on individual development. In competitive sports, who scored the most points may be an important metric, however that comes down to who is having a better game. There’s the word of the day “game”. Games are played, martial arts are learned and practiced. We train to deal with violence, with the hope that we don’t have to use it. It’s a little like police officers on the practice range. They are required to log in a minimum amount of firearm practice so know how to do use their firearms in the event they need to.

Master Bill DeGrafft is an active member of the United Tang Soo Do Federation and is a Certified 5^th Dan Master Instructor, having also trained in Sun Mu Sul, Chen Style Taiji, Tai Chi Gung, and Wing Chun. He is the owner at Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy. He is also COBRA Self Defense Certified and the Academy is the areas only Authorized COBRA Training Center. Learn more about the academy at https:pvmaa.com, “Like” us on Facebook at PonteVedraMartialArtsAcademy and follow up on Instagram, pontevedramartialartsacademy.