>>747928Don't be too hard on yourself. Save for maybe a few prodigies out there, we have all experienced this to some degree or another. Your reflexes may not even be that bad, it's just that your body hasn't been trained enough for how to respond properly.
>>747945THIS!
You can also go through sequences like you would during mitt/pad drills, but with your partner or coach wearing gloves. Start slow, remember to relax, and just gradually pick up speed over time.
It may also help to focus on just one goal at a time when you spar. My boxing coach was untouchable, so I gave up trying to beat him and just focused on slipping his counter jab. It took a few tries (read: punches to the face), but eventually I got it and moved on to the next thing.
>>750076It's less just taking the punches and more accepting that you're going to get hit. Once you move past the anxiety of getting hit, things get a lot easier. You should never make a habit of just getting hit, that's just counter productive.
A weird tip that really helped me...juggling. No kidding, Ross Enamait wrote an article about it on his site and so I decided to give it a try. It obviously won't make you a fearless, faster than light fighter, but it's a good little exercise you can do on a rest day that improves your hand-eye coordination and you reflexes.
