How to stop flinching in boxing/martial arts?

i do a lot of boxing and mixed martial arts but am having problems because i automatically duck, flinch, or close my eyes when people are throwing punches or kicks at me, even though i have my hands up and am protecting myself. any advice on getting rid of that reflex?

How to stop flinching in boxing/martial arts?
How long have you been training. It sounds like you are still not accepting of or used to the fact that you are gonna get hit. Ducking or flinching is good to keep you moving out of the way of the strike as long as you don't turn away from your opponant. Most people close there eyes when being hit in the face it's a natural responce. Just try to justify to your self it is only a punch it won't hurt you that bad and whether you like it or not it's coming so get used to it. Otherwise stick it out and eventually you will get used to it. Your body and mind are getting used to doing something that is not a natural behaviour. Look at it like riding a bike you have to get your balance and confidence before you can ride well...If you find you can't get used to it then maybe try an art that doesn't involve as much or no striking like Judo or Ju Jitsu.
Reply:i think that is a habit i do the same thing because my frends play to much. use the reflex to your advantage duck and go for the stomach or jerk sideways that should help
Reply:Let yourself be hit once or twice and you will see that its not that bad.


Whats wrong with flinching anyway?
Reply:its just comes with experiance, the more you fight and learn the more predictable your opponent will become.


the more you fight the calmer you will become which will prevent jerking reflexs.


Another option to explore would be deep meditation
Reply:I agree with using the twitch or motion that is automatic and pushing it into something; either defensive or offensive. Since that reaction is usually faster than realizing the event and taking action, working with it is very beneficial.


I use my twitches and such to help me when I paintball.
Reply:Flinching is a natural reflex. It can be advantageous because you don't want to get hit. As long as you don't close your eyes when you flinch, you can use it to your advantage. By flinching, you avoid the strike and allow yourself to counter. You also give your opponent a moving target rather than a stationary one. Don't fight the urge to flinch. Instead, embrace it and work your counter techniques.
Reply:ducking is not a bad reflex but the twitching sort of is. A way to stop all of that but not the ducking because that is an advantage is to imagine the kick or punch coming at you in slow motion. I do Martial Arts myself and i have encountered this problem myself too. You just have to train yourself no to close your eyes or to flinch. Before sessions and practices try and calm your body down it will help from keeping those reflexs so accurate. GOOD LUCK!!!
Reply:I propose that getting rid of it is bad. It is a protective reaction.


Instead of fighting it try to control it. Instead of wildly flailing your hands, try to make them perform a block.


Another big help with this is having a sense of your range and timing. It sounds like you are new. In time you develop your defense, once you have confidence you will not flinch at every faint thrown your way. Practicing blocking more. Get a partner and have them start attacking you in a controlled manner, block the attacks. In time get more free formed with it so you can block when you don't even know what the attack is.
Reply:ducking and flinching is not necessarily a bad thing you just need to do it at the right time.try to concentrate on keeping your eyes open,obviously that will also help you with your timing.
Reply:you have have low self efficacy of your skill. you need to spend time just in the defensive position with someone punching your head repeatedly while you have your guard up. when you finally realise that with your guard up you arent getting hurt, you will have the confidence to finally force your eyes open. as long as you have faith in your guard, and offensive skills, you will not flinch so much.





years ago, we spent a whole day doing just that. one man attack, the other guard his head. using elbows and forearms to counter the attempts. correct body posture, head angle, and guard will improve your odds, and help you over come your fears
Reply:I have this problem, and it is all in my head, I just think no pain, and I attack.
Reply:Umm. Lets see. Does it hurt less when you look away? NO!!! Dhon yelled that at me so many times that he drilled it into my head. When ever I spar I'm thinking that. You should yell it at yourself or have someone else yell it at you until it's drilled.
Reply:put some headgear on and have someone hit you in the head with a stick. Practice keeping your eyes open.
Reply:Circle. Instead of backing up, move an a semi-circle so that suddenly you are more to the side of your opponent, this will leave him very vulnerable to your attacks. These are the principles of small-circle jiu jitsu (can be applied to any style). As for flinching, everyone does it to an extent. In sparring you should train not to flinch, and try some pre-arranged sparring or kumites to practice.
Reply:Have a friend help yo with this, now stand upright facing your friend and have him throw like one hundred punches at your head in a row, and add ten for every time you blink.








ps. Make sure you have a bottle of tylenol handy...
Reply:you need to get hit a few more times and callous up a bit then your flinch should go away.
Reply:Looks like you already have a good supply of suggestions, so I'll just throw in my two cents. Getting hit will always hurt in some way ... I don't care who you are. However, It doesn't hurt nearly as bad as the mind predicts it will. I have learned not to flinch so much (I still do, and I have been training for years. ^_^ Turn it into a defensive maneuver as opposed to a choke) through reflection on an old saying. "The key isn't feeling no pain... it's not minding it." Hope this helps.
Reply:What's wrong with flinching and closing your eyes?? Jeez, guys...


The problem here is that while you are flinching, you are not defending yourself. While your eyes are closed you are not seeing what ELSE is happening. It is especially bad if someone sees this tendency and uses it to their advantage. I used to have a student who would flinch at ANY loud noise, so I would KIAI loudly just BEFORE I threw a side kick. The kiai would freeze him momentarily and the following kick would land almost every time.


This is something you have to train out of. It is a natural reaction but it's NOT good unless you can turn it into a positive response. I mean that the natural response for you is to backpedal and blink. You have to turn this into a natural response to clench your fists for example or to circle step. The best way I know how to do this is by having a partner do drills with you. Have him or her count as they throw a technique at you- like a reverse punch for example. Have them count loudly like the instructor would and throw the technique at you at the same time. The count should trigger your reflex response- blinking for example. You should then block their technique as fast as you can. Eventually, with enough time practicing, you will automatically want to block when you see the technique coming at you and the blinking will simply go away (you have to see the punch coming to block it). Do this with your pantner throwing different techniques at you and eventually, with enough practice, you will train yourself to have a different reflex action to this stimulus.


Hope this helps...


Sensei Cox
Reply:Practice and discipline. You don't necessarily need to get hit to teach yourself not to do that; it has to start slowly and it will take time. The first time I got knocked out it only made my flinching reflex worse. Tell yourself to stand steady and keep your eyes on your opponent. Eventually, the constant mental training will become physical.