Stop Guessing, Start Reacting: How to Train Without Anticipation

One of the most common mistakes in training is anticipating your or your opponent’s strikes instead of reacting naturally. This is especially crucial when working on padwork or drilling a set combination, whether on offense or defense.

If we’re drilling—meaning we both have gloves on and are throwing combinations at each other to simulate sparring—you need to treat it like a real fight. Even if you know the combination we’re working on, act as if you don’t know what’s coming next.

If you catch yourself blocking before a kick is even thrown, you’re anticipating. The quickest way to correct this is to check whether you feel prepared to defend against a completely different strike. Can you just as easily parry a punch or check a leg kick? Are you actually ready for any attack? If not, you’re relying on prediction rather than reaction, which won’t help you improve your real reflexes.

You’ll get much more out of your training by staying present and aware of all possible strikes rather than just the ones being drilled. Stop guessing—start reacting, and develop the instinctive defense that separates good fighters from great ones.