When you’re working with someone new, resist the urge to fix everything. I’ve watched plenty of blue belts, and even advanced white belts, mean well but end up talking through every detail. The newer student nods, the partner keeps explaining, and the round turns into a lecture instead of practice.

The reps matter more than the commentary. There’s something called the generation effect: when you solve a problem on your own, you remember it better than when someone gives you the answer.

Being a good partner isn’t about showing what you know. It’s about giving the other person enough space to learn without crowding them.