How do I react faster to punches?
So today we were doing drills and we did a few 'defence against punches' drills. My partner was pretty vicious and quickly took me down (although the instructor said he was pre-empting and maybe using too much energy but w/e).
When it came to me, I got punched lightly in the face 3 out of 5 times because I couldn't see it quickly enough to move out of the way. To be fair he was punching faster than me, but that's what I like about this guy; he resists and makes it more realistic. So how do I avoid getting bopped in the face? He was doing it fast but not even full speed/power.
The person instructing tonight showed us this good figure four armlock to do when someone punches you, but it requires you move sideways and guide the arm to avoid the punch which, as mentioned, I can't do.
Any advice?
Comments
ok this is a form of the very first style of muay thai not the new modern one
1. find somewhere you can hang stuff like a tree or something
2.hang a couple of lemons and start dodging them as you improve increase the number
You can train to react to punches, to predict your opponents movements, but not to have faster reflexes. One of the reasons Silva dodges so easily is because he knows where the punches are coming before they are thrown.
Well, first, you obviously need to practice.
Reaction is all about timing, and reflexes.
I like to think of my sparring parter as throwing strikes to a tempo, or beat.
With that, I can easily guess when they're going to strike, as it becomes more predictable.
You can also parry, duck, and bob and weave.
It's just a matter of practice, and patience.
Nobody is born with the uncanny ability to dodge all strikes.
The same way you would against slow punches except faster.