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Reflexes are the way your body behaves when it needs to act without thinking. They can be either natural reflexes (such as quickly recoiling your hand when you touch something way too hot) or taught reflexes (such as not dropping that very expensive or precious cup just because it is too precious). Training your reflexes may be successfully accomplished through endless repeating of the movements. During this process, the consistent actions to certain stimulus will be converted in subconscious triggered actions (the reflexes).

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  2. While your partner executes the attack, attempt to dodge or block it. Be wise to understand that certain attacks can't be blocked, for instance, blocking a punch will just get yourself hit both by the punch and by the hand or arm you chose to block with. You can also train an immediate counter-attack after successfully dodging the original attack.[2]
  3. If you think you're doing it right, then begin increasing the attack speed and the defense speed. Do this for about 10~15 minutes. Your body will learn to react to this particular situation.[3]
  4. Continue training for about 10~15 minutes. Your body will now learn to react to a different situation. Nevertheless, until here, you're always expecting the attack.
  5. Once again, begin slowly and keep increasing the attack speed if you're being successful in your training. Your body will now start to train on how to quickly identify the attack and respond accordingly.[4]
  6. Repeating is the only way your reflexes will be trained.
  7. You want to improve fighting reflexes, not improve your reflexes when someone you know punches you in a very particular way.[5]
  8. Have one stand on each side of and in front of you, and execute the same attacks at random (It is best to have another person call out a certain number for each person, to avoid all of them attacking you at once.)
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  • Question
    As a larger man, would I be better off blocking or dodging?
    SilvDrag
    SilvDrag
    Community Answer
    Some people, although large, are light on their feet. If you can move your feet faster than your opponent can hit, then you would be better off dodging. If you can't move faster, then block with your arms instead.
  • Question
    Are quick reflexes necessary for taekwondo?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you'll need excellent reflexes to excel in taekwondo.
  • Question
    What if I want to learn how to improve dodging and blocking while using a long stick like a staff?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's the same thing, except you now practice with a stick. Just work on your reflexes, but keep the stick around.
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Tips

  • Enjoy what you do. Don't train while raging or thinking about revenge of some sort as that will make your body think of the training experience as a bad experience and reject its stimulus as much as possible. While enjoying your training, your body will be more willing to learn.
  • Try not to hurt yourself nor your partner. Still you may occasionally get hurt by accident...
  • Join a martial arts school. You'll be doing the same as described here, with the difference that you'll have "professional" help on the best ways of dodging the attacks, of counter-attacking and a big variety of attacks is ensured.
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Expert Interview

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About This Article

Derrek Hofrichter
Co-authored by:
Self-Defense Specialist
This article was co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter. Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College. This article has been viewed 258,417 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: May 20, 2024
Views: 258,417
Categories: Combat Sports
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 258,417 times.

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