How To Demonstrate

From a reader:
"Would you please elaborate on why not to resist techniques during demonstration? I need to get this point across to some students... and yet still leave then with the impression that the movements do, in fact, work."

Yes. 

Let's start with a premise: any single technique in isolation can be defeated.  To be able to utilize any technique, one must either have surprise on his side, or have another technique (or threat of one) to switch to when the first is blocked.  No move is 100%.

Therefore, logic dictates that there are three primary reasons to go easy with the demonstration partner:

1. Resistance to the demonstration shows complete disrespect for the other students. 
The other pupils are attempting to see and learn a technique.  To force the demonstrator to go to a backup technique to accomplish the task is to disallow them to see the technique in question.  Why would you want to prevent your dojo brothers from being able to learn?

2. Resistance to the technique shows complete disrespect to the demonstrator. 
Usually, the one performing the demonstration is an instructor.  There is a reason to teach the technique. To disallow the demonstration when one has been particularly requested to assist in the demonstration is completely and utterly disrespectful of the instruction and the instructor.  It is akin to saying "no, let's not work on this move - let's work on another."

3. It shows complete and utter disrespect to oneself. 
When you resist a demonstration technique, you are essentially saying "no! I don't wanna do this move!" This is to be expected from a 3-year-old.


There are certainly many more reasons, but these three stick out in my mind the most.