1. Uke (the person on the receiving end of the technique) sets the pace of practice. Nage (the person applying the technique) should match his technique to the intensity of uke’s attack.

2. Uke always has the option to decline participation in practicing any technique he believes exceeds his current capabilities.

3. Practice only what is demonstrated by the instructor. Below the level of black-belt, DO NOT “experiment” or attempt to instruct your fellow students.

4. Practice should not be painful — if your partner is hurting you, one of you is doing something wrong. Call immediately for assistance and correction from the instructor or one of the black-belts.

5. As uke, provide a sincere, determined attack. Maintain the intention to strike your partner, right up to the moment you must execute ukemi. Slow the attack as required for safety — so long as uke maintains his intention to attack, the techniques will “work” and provide challenging practice, no matter how slowly they are executed. (And practicing slowly certainly doesn’t inconvenience a more senior practice partner — it just gives him or her more time within individual repetitions to work on the fine points.)

6. At this stage of your training, it is much more important to worry about getting the shape of the technique correctly, than it is to worry about whether or not your partner is thrown. Come to think of it, this principle applies at every stage of training...

7. If at all possible, avoid pairing up with another white-belt. When we switch partners, run to grab the most senior person you can — you’ll be a lot safer, and you’ll learn more.

8. Relax!