So you think you’re quick. Gunslinger quick. Like Waco Kid quick. Well the guys at Distort have a video camera and a ruler, and they are about to school you.
You’re probably not as quick as you think you are. And if you are older than your early 20’s, then you are slowing down, every year. Are you tired? Slower still. So if you’re like me… 41, usually tired and often distracted, then things begin to look pretty bleak.
But you are still capable of sharpening your reflexes. Certain martial arts drills, for example, not only train your eye to detect stimulus that a layman may not see, but they also help you develop muscle memory, so when the time comes, you are already primed for action.
Brain plasticity. It’s the brain’s ability to continually change and develop throughout your entire life. It is the reason why you really can teach an old dog new tricks.
But not even brain plasticity can overcome delayed response. That is the time it takes for your eye to send your brain the message that something is up, plus the time it takes your brain to tell your body, “Do Something!” It is about 190 milliseconds, give or take. Which means, by the time you see that punch coming towards your eye, it may already be too late.
So strike first. Once a fight is past the deescalation phase, start swinging! Your childhood karate teacher might not approve, but science says it’s okay.