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My judo partner argues when I ask to stop a drill. How do I ask for a different pairing?

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I said, "Stop, I want to reset," and my partner replied, "One more go. You nearly had it." The coach came over before we restarted, and I stepped out of the pair work.

This is an adult judo class. I wasn't asking the partner to explain the move while we continued. I wanted the activity to stop. Afterwards he said he was encouraging me and that I'd never learn if I kept interrupting a difficult drill.

I still want to learn it, with the coach's help. I don't want another round of negotiating whether my request to stop counts. [UK Coaching's code of practice](https://www.ukcoaching.org/advocacy/code-of-practice-for-sports-coaches/) emphasises appropriate physical contact with participants' consent and involving them in decisions about participation.

The coach has offered to discuss next week's pairings. How would you describe this without getting pulled into an argument over whether my partner meant well? I'm considering asking not to work with him, rather than accepting another promise that next time he will judge when I really need to stop.

Discussion

2 community replies

You can keep the account very literal: you asked to stop, he argued for another repetition, and you stepped out. Ask the coach for a different pairing before more contact work. You don't need agreement about his intentions to explain the arrangement you won't resume.

Encouragement can wait until the activity has stopped. Your wish to reset doesn't become less clear because he believes you were close to succeeding. Tell the coach you want help learning the drill within an arrangement where stopping doesn't start a negotiation.

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