Hi,

I wanted to know how to counter a flurry of punches? I've seen my friends? (who all train in Kung Fu) get caught when their opponent just keeps throwing and throwing – and I'm talking about street fight scenarios as well as sparring in the gym.

Thanks!

I like the clinch/shoot method, if you get out of the punching distance, they can't really flurry anymore. The problem that a big guy like me has with circling is that people can usually circle just as fast, so I end up just eating punches from another direction, and can never really get away. There is one method that I have had some success with as well. As long as you are not backed against anything, hop back with both feet, leaving your hands pretty much where they were, and as soon as you land, throw some leather of your own, like a 2-3-2. The quick hop back will throw off their timing and can get you on the offensive and striking, but if nothing else, at least you have stopped the flurry and can start over from a different range. Or, if you are covering up to protect, I will straighten my arms out, keeping my forearms crossed, then change distance to get closer, if they start to back up, I follow them and fire a low kick.

Thanks a lot. That hockey move seems interesting. In my opinion, going for a clinch is risky, because if you mistime it, your opponent (who's swinging left, right and center) can connect.

Thanks again.

IMO with flurries the most desirable thing to do is move IN.
Backing up doesn't work so well, since you're moving in the trajectory of the blows.
I don't recommend just blocking them either. Blocking and counter striking while moving forward (on an angle or not) is what I would do.

Awareness is important here. Especially in self-defense situations. In this case make sure your hands are up (de-escalating stance for example).