Blinking, flinching, and turning down are characteristic primarily of new students of any martial art. After all, it is human instinct. However, with training and experience, you can learn to ignore those instincts and thus refine your skills as a martial artist.
First off, it’s important to understand that any of these natural reactions can put you at a disadvantage in a fight, as you can easily lose sight of an opponent’s incoming attack, become disoriented, or leave yourself completely vulnerable by moving away.
To reduce (or even eliminate) blinking during a fight, practice ahead of time by squinting and having a friend or partner punch you on either side of the head (without making contact, obviously). Sounds simple, right? Is. Have them mix up the punches and even aim for your face, again making sure they stop before connecting with your face. Padding is always recommended, in case your friend/partner slips and accidentally hits you. This technique will help you practice and control your blink reaction.
To reduce flinch, learn to anticipate your opponent’s attack to reduce the element of surprise. Many times, a fighter will subconsciously telegraph his attack, giving you an indication that he is going to punch or kick a certain way. If he is well trained and doesn’t signal his attack, the best thing to do is watch his eyes. The eyes are really ‘the window to the soul’, as you can usually tell by looking into an opponent’s eyes when/if he is going to launch an attack.
Another good drill to practice to reduce flinching is to stand together with a partner (wearing gloves and head protection) and take turns throwing 4 punches at each other, 2 to the body, 2 to the shoulders. The receiver on each box blocks all 4 punches, getting used to the feeling of being hit. You can incorporate punches to the head, as you feel more comfortable, and kicks as well. This exercise alone is invaluable, because it is not an exercise that you can learn by studying a book or simply reading an article like this one.
As for walking away, don’t. It is as simple as that. You’re asking for trouble if you do. Be aware of the fact that your chances of getting injured are SIGNIFICANTLY higher if you turn your back on your opponent. For example, a simple knee to the back can cause considerable internal damage. However, a kick to the tailbone can even leave you paralyzed. Back injuries are one of the most painful injuries you can sustain and often result in permanent damage, despite our modern technology. Never, ever turn your back in a fight, unless you want to hurt yourself.
