> The trick, of course, is that nobody's fast enough
> to do that kind of calculation in the middle of a fight.
Indeed. And not only that, but the time that it takes to observe an incoming punch and instruct your muscles to make an appropriate reaction (even if you know exactly what you wanted to do already) is on the order of 100-250 msec. If the punch comes faster than that, you are doomed.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to the paradox: you learn to anticipate what your opponent is going to do so you can start your response before they even initiate their movement.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to the paradox: you learn to anticipate what your opponent is going to do so you can start your response before they even initiate their movement.
Chi probably helps too.