As a martial arts instructor, you have to set expectations in your class. One of those is that kids have to be able to hold targets, shields, and pads for each other.

When a student is holding a target, they experience a punch and/or a kick coming at them. This is critical for improving defense.

You want to encourage the student to be a "good partner" and hold the targets correctly including turning them sideways for hooks and down for uppercuts.

You'll always have the top third, middle third and bottom third of anything so that includes target holders. But you do NOT want to sacrifice all the reps and conditioning that target work provides students just because a few don't like holding targets.

Teach them that holding the target is just as important as hitting the targets. Look for holes in the punchers' or kickers' techniques that you could take advantage of.

For instance, does the puncher drop his hand after hitting the target? That would be an opportunity for a counter punch. In fact, take the target and smack your partner to show that gap.

This helps keep the target holder engaged in the drill rather than just waiting in line.

Kids will also get 10x the amount of reps doing drills with their partner rather than standing in line bored and waiting for one rep before going back in line.

As the teacher, you have to set expectations and how to hold targets is a clear expectation that is being missed in too many classes today.