How to Get Faster Reflexes

Reaction time is everything in the Martial Arts. The faster you are the less you'll get hit and the more good hits you'll give. Ultimately practising with someone who is faster than you is the best way to develop fast reflexes. However the game I call "Washers" will help you develop fast reflexes and at the same time increase your speed and accuracy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• 8 - 5/8 Washers
• Bright colored spray paint

1. Take your washers and paint them with your bright colored spray paint. This is so that if you drop your washers they are easy to find
2. Standing with your feet a shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent, extend one arm out at shoulder level. Hand flat and palm up. Place a washer on the tip of you fingers
3. Drop the washer by quickly bringing your extended hand slightly down and toward your body, forming a fist as you do so. Hit your chest with your closed fist.
4. Quickly re-extend your arm while opening your hand to catch the falling washer with the palm of your hand facing down.
5. Once you have mastered this with one hand, work on the other hand. Then try it with both hands at the same time. Following this try two washers stacked on top of each other in one hand. keep adding washers until you can catch four washers in both hands at the same time. Also try different combination in each hand.

Tips & Warnings

• As you practise this technique you will notice better eye-hand coordination and a huge change in your speed and accuracy. Your goal is to catch the washers right where you left them. Good luck!
• If you are not fast enough to catch the washers before they fall below your reach, AVOID BENDING OVER TO CATCH THEM! Instead bend your knees and bring your center of gravity lower to catch them. As in all things there is risk of injury and damage to property. Use this technique at your own discretion and at your own risk.