As I advance I have a question..

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[actoman]

Hey all,

Wanted to know how or if you have ever approached another student of the same rank or even higher and asked to train 'hard' once or twice a month?

I mean, I am advancing and learning and enjoying my training, but there are times where I feel I want to go 'full speed', not 'class speed'. Maybe it's my confidence boosting, maybe I just want to know if I can react in real time, maybe I like pain, I don't really know, anyone else have this itch every now and again?

[Brian Vickery]

Wanted to know how or if you have ever approached another student of the same rank or even higher and asked to train 'hard' once or twice a month?

I mean, I am advancing and learning and enjoying my training, but there are times where I feel I want to go 'full speed', not 'class speed'.

Hello Andy,

I can only answer this in the context of the dojo I train in, so it might be different in your dojo, but when students train together, they adjust their training based on the skill level of the particular person they happen to be training with at the moment. That adjustment works in both directions, either easing up for those who are a bit newer, or going full on for those who have the skill to operate at that level. So, there is no need for making arrangements to train at that higher level, it's just a natural progression of everyday training.

To me, it's more of a matter of 'trust' than it is skill level when it comes to training with somebody at full speed & strength. If I'm not 100% confident that they know what they are doing, and are able to do it safely, I always hold back a bit, both as nage & uke! Once both of us have that same confidence level in each other, it's GO TIME when we train together! :)

Nasty things can (& do) happen VERY quickly when training at that level, so be careful as you progress & just ramp up things with those partners that you're comfortable with!

...BUT be sure to talk to your instructor about this before doing it!

Good luck with your training!

[Lan Powers]

Well put, Brian!


Lan

[xuzen]

Hey all,

Wanted to know how or if you have ever approached another student of the same rank or even higher and asked to train 'hard' once or twice a month?

I mean, I am advancing and learning and enjoying my training, but there are times where I feel I want to go 'full speed', not 'class speed'. Maybe it's my confidence boosting, maybe I just want to know if I can react in real time, maybe I like pain, I don't really know, anyone else have this itch every now and again?

Hello Andy,

IMO, there are two determining factors which you should consider when wanting to go "full speed":-

1) Your own ability to take ukemi.
2) A trusted partner. In aikido, there is only a thin red line that separate the "Do"and the "Jutsu" part. If my shite/tori is a clumsy inconsiderately rough fool, then I will not go all out with him/her.

The two above factors will probably determine whether you will come to class again the next day or not. And yes, Andy, I too have this itch that needs to be scratch occasionally. Andy, the "full speed" jiyu waza and randori is not only confidence boosting, it is also a lgreat earning experience.

Boon.