Great Technique for Building Your Quick-Reaction Response 
by Keith Pascal 

Your opponent barely starts to move. Before he really initiates an attack, you're all over him
(or her). You react to any motion quickly and efficiently -- with almost blinding speed. 
Actually, you don't need to have blinding speed to be perceived as super fast. What you do
need is a quick reaction time. Here's a simple exercise to start reducing the time between an
initiated attack and your reaction: 
As a martial artist, you already know the benefits of practice. The more you practice the better
you get. So let's get you better at reacting to an unpredicted motion. You need to find something
(a stimulus) to react to. 
Ideally, you would choose to respond to a real opponent in as real a situation as possible -- I
advise against this at the beginning. Not only because of safety considerations, but it's too easy to
accidentally get into a rhythm with a practice partner. You might not even be aware that you're
reacting to timing rather than a sudden response. 
As an alternative to something completely random (you might never get the stimulus needed,
or have to wait a very long time just to get to do one practice response), you need something that
is semi-random. You want lots to react to; you just don't want to know precisely when it's
coming. 
Maybe you could use traffic lights. If so, pick the ones that are not on a timer, but still in a
busy enough area of town where the sensor will be tripped often. Maybe you could lash out with
a punch whenever the light turns red. 
Note: If you're in a car, don't do any motion that would compromise your safety. Also, you
might get weird looks from pedestrians and other drivers. What would you think if you saw
people lash out with punches every time they approached a red light? (I know; you'd assume
that they had read this article.) 
Instead of snapping a backfist, you could just snap your fingers, or quietly say the word
punch. Eventually, you'll have to practice your response with something realistic, like a kick or a
punch -- that's the only way to really develop the quick reaction that you want. For now, a
non-technique response will suffice. 
Instead of a traffic light, I use my tv. We have satellite dish that offers a program guide.
Whenever I click on the movie guide, there is a delay. The receiver has to download the
information from the satellite. Anyway, the pause between when I click the remote and when the
information scrolls onto the screen varies. 
You guessed it -- I look at the set out of the corner of my eye... 
Note: You are looking with the sides of your eyes too, right? After all, motion is perceived
there (you don't need a detailed discussion of rods and cones here; you may research the subject
later, if you feel the need). Just think of your favorite Bruce Lee pose. If he was at the ready, then
he was looking out of the corner of his eye. 
...And as soon as the screen starts to fill with movies (a distinct motion), I respond with either
three blindingly fast punches, or a rapid kick-eye jab combination. I like using the tv, because I
can practice this way as much as I want in the privacy of my own home. And I can get in as many
practices in a session as I want. The next stimulus is just a click away. 
So, what will you use to produce a semi-random response? If you brainstorm, I'm sure you'll
come up with a ton of ideas --cars coming into your line of sight from your living-room window,
a random response on your computer, having someone snap their fingers (if it's random and not
rhythmic), fish jumping for insects by a lake or river, etc.... 
After you get really fast, then it's time to work with a partner. Have your partner initiate an
attack. You respond to the motion. Do your best to avoid slipping into a rhythm. Always work at
getting faster and cleaner. It takes practice, but you will be amazed with your results. Have fun
lessening your reaction time! 

Keith Pascal is the author of the book Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert. You
can find out more about this book and read free articles by Keith at Kerwin Benson Publishing’s web site at
http://www.kerwinbenson.com or you may e-mail him through the publishing company at
quickresponse@kerwinbenson.com