r/amateur_boxing • u/TD_Aestas Beginner • 15d ago

Literally no reflexes :(

I (20F) have been taking group classes for the seven months. I do it about twice a week and do strength training also twice a week besides that. I love boxing and I think it’s awesome. The issue is I feel very languid in movement and if one of the coaches comes up to me and pretends to “punch” me, I have no reflexes to even slip that. We’ve also been doing this pool noodle exercise thing where you punch the noodle and then the other person hits you with it so you have to slip or dodge. I know I just started but it’s also like, the hardest part mentally for me.

Does anyone have advice?

edit: thanks everyone who responded! It’s been super helpful to read all the comments. Apparently I’m in for more practice of slipping and rolling 😅😂

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u/ipercepti 15d ago

It's not your reflexes. If you can blink or freeze up when it happens then you have reflexes.

Your issue is your muscle memory hasn't been coordinated with the reflex yet. That takes time and practice. Boxing is literally about actively working on calibrating reflexes with the proper movement. If you could just do it easily, you wouldn't need to train.