What is proper etiquette in grappling regarding submissions when you train against a less skilled opponent?

I found that my grappling has over the last year reached a higher level. Alot of the guys I train with I now can submit almost at will. I actually feel a little guilty if I submit them to much. I don't want to discourage them from training. Should I just stop going for submissions all together against less skilled opponents? I tried working off my back from the guard but even there I find it easy to hit a submission now. Of course when some of the higher ranking and strong guys show up I don't have this problem. I work with the toughest guys I can find but sometimes none of them show up on a given day. So what do you do when you have a less skilled opponent?

What is proper etiquette in grappling regarding submissions when you train against a less skilled opponent?
The first time you spar with them, do your thing. If you submit them easy, tell them what they did to open themselves up for the submission. Work on defending a specific technique. See if they can make it harder the next time. Don't make it any easier. See if they can adapt after you explain why it was so easy for you.





Or, keep switching it up. Go for the submission, but just before locking it in, switch up and go for something else. For example, they open up for the armbar, so you take it. But before locking it in, you spin around and try to take their back. Keep moving from one technique to the next. You don't have to lock it in if you know it's there for the taking.





Those are just two options I have used and have had used on me.





Good luck.
Reply:The proper thing to do with a less skilled person is to help them work on their technique. I'm not saying work not to work on yours also, just not as much emphasis. You have to look at who your partner is and adjust your game plan accordingly. That is the main reason for the belt ranking system. An easy way to judge experience. You have to take care of your partner. Learning and teaching is different than hurting at will.
Reply:help them, and help yourself work on things that are more difficult for you against the more skilled guys.





You can help instruct them (personally I don't take instruction well from those who are not the instructor as I've found thier interpretation of what was taugh to them is not always reliable as people tend to "go thier own way" sometimes, which is why I do better in small classes) by going easier on them and letting them work, don't give anything to them, make them work harder at it and make them pay for thier mistakes.





If you are too rough to the point where it is no longer training and just plain embarrasment, no one will want to play with you any more.
Reply:I find that often as well. I generally don't feel guilty at all. If they are higher ranked, I don't mind showing them up sometimes, it shows to my sensei my level of skill is increasing and shows the Uki where they need to practice. If it is a younger Uki regardless of rank. I will talk to them while we are working out and say ok now that we are here what would you do next. Or if I do this you should do this. Or as I used to be a very competative fighter I have developed easier or more efficient ways to do certain techniques as alot of holds are too hard to get in a real fight. So I will suggest an alternative way of doing the same technique they are trying to make it easier for them. I would suggest if you find your Uki are too easy to control during ni waza randori then move to higher ranked or heavier people. I like working out with guys who are 50lbs heavier than me. Even if I am more skilled at least I get more of a work out and am forced to use better technique to get the hold. Try finding heavier or taller guys to work out with that alone will create more of a challenge for you. Plus give you an opportunity to help them learn as well. Part of martial arts is to learn from your peers. So I don't agree with people who refuse to listen or take advise from a partner based on them not being their sensei. Anyone can teach or help anyone else learn new or better their skills. Just because a person is the Sensei or a black belt does not mean they are proficient at every technique. I have a Sensei who is a great at the throwing techniques and although he has good knowlege of all of the grappling techniqes he is not a very good ground fighter. So he relies on students to help him remember how to do something or to show it more effectively.


So basically either start going on nights where the more advanced guys are training, train with bigger guys. And maybe grade for your next belt, although rank should not effect who you can train with.
Reply:Agree with above answers - help the less competant and learn from the experience, you will see your skills from a whole new angle. Good luck
Reply:Help the other guys improve their game.


Choose to only tap your oponent out with a certain submission, isolate a certain limb of theirs and work on that. Put yourself in a certain position and work from there. Maybe let them get a submission on and then work your escapes.
Reply:Okay it sounds like you have your attacks/offense down but you need to work on your defense. Let your opponent get close to a submission and try to counter it. Just because you can take those in your gym does not mean you will do well in a tournament.





Also help the others improve so that they do start to pose a challenge. When you work against stronger and bigger guys just focus on proper execution of a technique and counter attacks.





You may also want to look at other gyms to train at so you can improve more.
Reply:If you have a less skilled opponent, you should help them build up their own skills. The only way to get better yourself is to train with someone better than you, but helping others will help you become a better teacher yourself (if that is the direction you want to go).
Reply:Fantastic answers here. I agree with them. One thing I do is instead of using all my techniques, I pick one particular submission to work on. For example the other day I was practicing with a less experience partner, so I decided to just submit him using the key lock. No other submission but that one. So I had to work harder to get that submission. Everytime change to another submission and just get that one. This is specially good practice for techniques you are not so good with or that you dont like. Good luck.
Reply:I've been an elementary teacher for over seven years. I don't believe in making things too easy for those who are serious about it. But for those who are weak in spirit, go easy on them. But for those who are hungry for more, let them know the truth. You do them a great disservice to hold back on those who want it. Like me. I want the heat on!!! I don't like it, when my teacher's are easy on me!!
Reply:Something different you could do is allow yourself to be put in a submission or put in a bad position(i.e.side control, back, or mount) and practice your submission escapes and regain your good position. This will allow the less skilled an opportunity to actually practice what they are learning and keep from getting discouraged. Also share your knowledge with your fellow training partners so everybody can improve at the same time ascending the level at your academy. Point out to the less skilled the mistakes that they are making and teach them good technique. It's not all about slamming guys around and putting them in 10 submissions in a row but a group learning together. Aloha