Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll try looking "through" and see if it works better.

hmmm I always thought you'd to look in their eye. Not just for the sake of it but because it's then easier for your periferal vision to to catch as many things as possible. I guess though that looking straight in the eyes can give you away as much as it can give your partner away! I like Devons answer... I'll have to try it out next session!

I personally feel like Tim. Look through your partner. I usually pick my own spot, which isnt the shoulders due to fighting other martial artists so long. I usually focus on belly button level. This gives me a whole peripheral. I can see a little behind me on the ground, a bit to the right or left, and I can see the opponents movement from his/her hips. Hips will tell you when a strike is coming in, or a kick. Good luck

"When there is one, think of him as many, when there is many think of them as one". It takes some effort not to focus on aite, but merely maintain a neutral gaze 'through' him. It will improve your peripheral view's sensitivity. This allows you to better interact with your environment (e.g. other opponents). However, this way of practice is not always received well by aite who might feel completely ignored.