[Altephor]

There is a kid in my class, he must be like 16 or 17. A very small kid, always shows up for Muay Thai in a karate gi, which is a bit weird but hey, whatever. That's not my issue with him. I partnered with him once before a few weeks ago and he seemed fine but went very soft, which back then was alright with me because I was just starting. But from then on I didn't really like him, dunno he just comes off as a little annoying.

Anyways, I got stuck with him the other night, and we were practicing countering and returning the jab. This kid was all over the place. When I was the 'attacker' I threw a light jab so that he could counter and return. Then we switched, and this kid starts bouncing (literally, it's really the only word that describes his movements) all over the place, switching stances, throwing 'right' jabs from a normal stance, crossing over his own arms to throw jabs. So whatever, I try to deal with it but obviously it was a bit annoying to try and pin down technique to a certain attack when he's not USING that attack. At one point I brushed his face on my return (again, literally, about as soft as if you were wiping something off your face), and he stops completely and tells me to be more careful. Of course, when he's up he's got no problem with touching me with the jab.

What are you supposed to do with someone like that?

Edit* Other than just get fed up with him and nail him with a nice hook to the temple... because I already thought of that route.

[Wrathbeans]

hit him hard and prays he never comes back. I got a situation with some one who really smells really bad so bad that it stunk up my clothes and i had to ask for lysol to spray myself with to keep myself from vomiting. I feel bad for the guy he is like 400 pounds and wreaks of something unholy. I work with garbage, and this dude smells worst then garbage on a hot day in august. I should hit him hard so he will get discourage and not comeback.

[Jubacat]

When I get a bad/weak training partner, I just make a mental note to never work with them again.

I have a few good partners and I stick with them.

[randomg1t]

sorry mate, you can't do shit with them.

just never work with him again.

[mschatz]

Talk to him about it?

[Whitefish]

Is the kid you work with mentally-challenged? He sounds a little.... off. I wouldn't want the karma of hitting a special kid.

But if hes not, some people just don't learn unless you are blunt or forcefull enough to get through their wall of stupid/stubborness. (i.e. Hit him.)

[KumiteKid]

It is as simple as not partnering up with them. It's always good to know some people n your class you can trust will have control and do the technique or drill correctly.

[ChachiKiller]

Ask him why he does that bouncing (sounds like touch point fighting). Maybe you can help him. He may not know.

If not just never work with him. Feel free to tell him.

[Altephor]

Actually I considered as to whether or not he was 'all there'. But more likely, he's just one of those small nerdy kids who gets picked on a lot. So he probably picked up martial arts to defend himself, and thinks he's doing awesome and is a badass, but in an actual fight would get destroyed. I'm guessing he used to take karate or TKD before. Kind of hard to explain what I mean, but I think everyone has run into the type.

By far the worst of it (and what makes me suspect of another base MA) is that he yells with every punch/kick/elbow, etc. Mainly I was just worried I was going to get some angry mother in my face for breaking her child. This kid cannot take a hit. Another guy in the class (who I frequently roll/spar with) was paired with him during light sparring and the kid stepped into a punch and ended up with a bloody nose and got all upset about it. I don't understand that, if you don't want to get hit, why would you sign up for Muay Thai?

[Quadkicker]

My first thought was: Where is your instructor when all this is going on? It's his job to correct a guy like this, not yours. In my experience, guys like this don't last long anyway...a few classes sparring full contact and he will go back to practicing his "moves" in karate class. Until then, maybe try what jubacat/kumitekid suggested.