How to get hit (probably in the face but anywhere else works too)

I like watching fights, training, competing, and watching breakdowns. One thing I've learned in sparring keeps coming up elsewhere in my life: how to react after getting hit.

Me probably getting hit in the face (also my hands were way too high)

Learning how to get hit

When I try a new martial art, whether it’s BJJ (Brazilian jiujutsu) or Muay Thai, I start with defense. In jiujutsu, if you’re new, you’ll be working from your back a lot. In Muay Thai, you get punched in the face.

When getting punched in the face, the natural response is to close your eyes, flinch, crouch, or turn your back. These are all bad. Turning away makes it harder to see the next punch coming. It’s easier to punch someone when they can’t see you (source required).

Learning how to get hit is learning how to fight against these natural urges. Instead of closing your eyes, you should keep them open so you can see the next punches coming. Instead of crouching or turning away, you should face them, shell up, or step away while still looking at them. Learning not to panic gives me a chance to choose how to react.

What to do after getting hit

After getting hit, my favorite response in sparring is to hit back. It interrupts the other person: now they have to defend too. It’s harder to hit someone when you’re also getting hit (source also required).

It’s also better to hit them back more than once. If your opponent lands one shot but receives multiple shots in return, they might want to think twice about throwing another shot.

Outside the gym

I’m far from an expert in fighting, but I get to train with many experts who are much better than me. So I get punched in the face a lot. Practicing how to respond helps me stay calm when something goes wrong outside the gym too.

If starting a company is like getting punched in the face, at least now you know how to get punched in the face and how to do something about it.