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Mentor vs Cornerman: What are the major differences between these roles?

For example:

  • Trust level
  • Confidence in advice given
  • Formal vs informal relationship
  • Things you talk about

And is your cornerman only useful for combat sports or do you rely on him (or her) to give advice / listen to problems that you have in other areas of your life?

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    This sounds like you want to start a discussion. Unfortunately, this site is about Q&A. Although, you might enjoy Ramsey Dewey's videos as per youtube.com/watch?v=onYF69zkjYw – Macaco Branco May 20 at 21:37
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    @MacacoBranco If we edit the question based around the body and not the title, do you think it's still opinion-based? – mattm♦ May 21 at 13:25
  • @mattm: Ah, It probably didn't help that I was not reading that as "either or", but more of a shipping question. My bad. – Macaco Branco May 21 at 13:28
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    Yes, I'm definitely confused. Here' another question that sparked discussion, but was allowed. "How useful is a grappling dummy, when you don't have a live training partner available?" – thatgirlisfunny May 22 at 15:21
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    I'll admit that we don't always have complete consistency. :) I flagged this one in part because it primarily felt like you were asking opinions versus anything that could be pinned down. Asking about the difference between corner men and mentors is fairly answerable. Asking which we'd choose is more opinion-based. If you have a specific situation you're asking for, that's more answerable. Does that make more sense? – Macaco Branco May 22 at 21:28
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There is a judo version of this question about the difference between a sensei (mentor) and coach (cornerman). The United States Judo Federation has a long answer to this question that considers the cultural history and etymology of these words, what functions they perform, and how the roles may overlap, but basically comes to the conclusion that the difference is about winning in sports. The concept of a coach or cornerman is sport-based, while other terms for instructors are not.

If you are basically interested in sport, find an instructor who specializes in sport (a coach or cornerman). If you have interests beyond sport (learning to teach, health, life advice, etc.), find an instructor who does not focus exclusively on sport. Winning in sport is a specialization with its own skill set.

In reality, you have to choose from among the instructors you have available, and the spectrum of available skills and strengths does not separate into neat categories. As with any relationship, you have to work out with the other party what the parameters of yours will be.

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Mentors talk about the question. Cornermen answer the question and solve the problem. Thank you for making that so clear. I prefer a cornerman.

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    Mentors teach you how to answer the question for yourself. – slugster♦ May 23 at 1:55

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