--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your natural instinct when people are…" description: "\"Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at you is to back up. That just makes it more dangerous for you. You'll get hurt that way. You'v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg" --- # Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at… ![“Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at you is to back up. That just makes it more dangerous for you. You'll get hurt that way. You've got to teach yourself to go forward, move your feet and move your head. I'm not going to lie, that was tough for me to learn.” quote by Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg) > “Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at you is to back up. That just makes it more dangerous for you. You'll get hurt that way. You've got to teach yourself to go forward, move your feet and move your head. I'm not going to lie, that was tough for me to learn.” [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When attacked, instinct is to retreat, which can increase danger; instead, learn to advance, keep moving, and protect yourself. **In simple terms:** Retreating can be riskier; keep moving forward and stay aware. Key Takeaway Practice forward movement and footwork under pressure. Themes self‑defense resilience mindset combat growth Mood determined focused empowering Type advice motivational practical When to use this quote - martial arts training - street self‑defense - conflict de‑escalation - high‑stress work environments Key Concepts situational awareness kinesthetic learning psychological conditioning Questions to Reflect On - How can you safely practice advancing under pressure? - What mental cues help you stay forward‑focused? A Different Perspective Moving forward may expose you to more hits before you master the technique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lie/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Throwing punches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throwing-punches/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [My punches are just as hard in Chicago as in New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-liston/my-punches-are-just-as-hard-in-chicago-as-in-new-york/) [Sonny Liston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-liston/) > [Some fighter’s waist a lot of their energy. Wait for your opportunity and when it comes, avail yourself of it. The idea of boring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/some-fighter-s-waist-a-lot-of-their-energy-wait-for-your-opportunity/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [On my first day in jail, a three hundred pound man named Porterhouse hit me in the back of the head with a metal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/on-my-first-day-in-jail-a-three-hundred-pound-man-named-porterhouse/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [The game of basketball is not played with throwing punches, throwing elbows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-williams/the-game-of-basketball-is-not-played-with-throwing-punches-throwing/) [Mo Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-williams/) > [Why fight for our love when you're the one throwing the punches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiara-leigh/why-fight-for-our-love-when-you-re-the-one-throwing-the-punches/) [Kiara Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiara-leigh/) > [That takes it out of you, throwing too many punches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-parker/that-takes-it-out-of-you-throwing-too-many-punches/) [Joseph Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-parker/) > [I'm confident that I can steal rounds by getting inside and throwing punches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-thurman/i-m-confident-that-i-can-steal-rounds-by-getting-inside-and-throwing/) [Keith Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-thurman/) > [It was like two drunks in a back alley throwing punches at each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon/it-was-like-two-drunks-in-a-back-alley-throwing-punches-at-each-other/) [Eamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon/) > [The baseball fights, you don't ever see the squaring off like you do in hockey, and in some instances, that's where baseball fights can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-glavine/the-baseball-fights-you-don-t-ever-see-the-squaring-off-like-you-do/) [Tom Glavine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-glavine/) > [When I was a wrestler, my job was mostly looking mean and throwing punches and kicks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-phoenix/when-i-was-a-wrestler-my-job-was-mostly-looking-mean-and-throwing/) [Beth Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-phoenix/) > [I feel like you gotta know how to roll with the punches and how to just be able to work and think on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-drake/i-feel-like-you-gotta-know-how-to-roll-with-the-punches-and-how-to/) [Eli Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-drake/) > [Because I was a young man so, of course, I did get into fights. The last time I actually was in a fight, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/because-i-was-a-young-man-so-of-course-i-did-get-into-fights-the-last/) [Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/) > [Life is a boxing match you're going to have enemies throwing punches at you left right and centre. But learn to pick up your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/life-is-a-boxing-match-you-re-going-to-have-enemies-throwing-punches/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [I've always been a defensive wrestler, but when I go in there in the fights, I get so caught up in trying to knock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quinton-jackson/i-ve-always-been-a-defensive-wrestler-but-when-i-go-in-there-in-the/) [Quinton Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quinton-jackson/) > [If you're throwing punches or exerting energy but you're not breathing, you're holding your breath. That actually saps your strength, it saps your stamina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-jr/if-you-re-throwing-punches-or-exerting-energy-but-you-re-not/) [Chris Eubank Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-jr/) ## More by Jake Hager > [A long time ago I learned how to shut my mouth, listen to my coaches and put trust in my coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-long-time-ago-i-learned-how-to-shut-my-mouth-listen-to-my-coaches/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I need to wrestle, I need to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-need-to-wrestle-i-need-to-compete/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [When I was leaving college, getting ready to graduate with a degree in finance, I had job interviews for months and months - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/when-i-was-leaving-college-getting-ready-to-graduate-with-a-degree-in/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [A lot of people want me to say negative things about WWE, but I'm very grateful for my career there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-lot-of-people-want-me-to-say-negative-things-about-wwe-but-i-m-very/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Going through life is always scary doing something new, at the same time it is very exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/going-through-life-is-always-scary-doing-something-new-at-the-same/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I was never the best athlete, but I knew how to be coached and I knew how to work hard at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-was-never-the-best-athlete-but-i-knew-how-to-be-coached-and-i-knew/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [If you go back and look at WWE Magazine, they asked me when I was going to win my first world championship and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/if-you-go-back-and-look-at-wwe-magazine-they-asked-me-when-i-was/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I believe competition makes everyone better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-believe-competition-makes-everyone-better/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [As cool as Jack Swagger was, he felt choreographed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/as-cool-as-jack-swagger-was-he-felt-choreographed/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I'm a conservative. I voted for Donald Trump and back in 2016 everybody was talking about, 'Oh my God, here's another TV character trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-m-a-conservative-i-voted-for-donald-trump-and-back-in-2016/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [A lot of great fighters were amateur wrestlers first and you can study them on film to see how they adapted the techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-lot-of-great-fighters-were-amateur-wrestlers-first-and-you-can/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Wrestling for wrestling fans is an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/wrestling-for-wrestling-fans-is-an-honor/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Any time you can get Glenn Beck crying it's a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/any-time-you-can-get-glenn-beck-crying-it-s-a-good-thing/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [MMA fans and pro wrestling fans are similar in that they care about their sports very much. They want to see that you're serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/mma-fans-and-pro-wrestling-fans-are-similar-in-that-they-care-about/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [For me, the wins and losses in pro wrestling never mattered. The thing that matters is the time on television to tell that story.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/for-me-the-wins-and-losses-in-pro-wrestling-never-mattered-the-thing/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) [Explore all 99 Jake Hager quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) ## More Dangerous quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [“It is dangerous to lock oneself away and lose track of what is happening outside.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/it-is-dangerous-to-lock-oneself-away-and-lose-track-of-what-is/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [Its extremely dangerous to compare anyone else to Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/its-extremely-dangerous-to-compare-anyone-else-to-shakespeare/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [In my youth-team days, I was always a left-winger who would stay close to the byline and put crosses in the box, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjen-robben/in-my-youth-team-days-i-was-always-a-left-winger-who-would-stay-close/) [Arjen Robben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjen-robben/) > [The temptations of God were always more dangerous for mankind than those of Satan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-temptations-of-god-were-always-more-dangerous-for-mankind-than/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [When you start talking about elections being rigged, you're pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-you-start-talking-about-elections-being-rigged-you-re-pushing/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The Patriot Act is certainly a concern; all of those things are dangerous. I think more important than me preaching is that we as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-patriot-act-is-certainly-a-concern-all-of-those-things-are/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derer, die die Welt nie angeschaut haben. (The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-von-humboldt/die-gef-hrlichste-weltanschauung-ist-die-weltanschauung-derer-die-die/) [Alexander von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-von-humboldt/) > [The most dangerous creature here would have to be me. So maybe I'm just scared of my own shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/the-most-dangerous-creature-here-would-have-to-be-me-so-maybe-i-m/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [The more people that learn about you, even if you're an underdog, then you can come under fire a lot and the more attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-way/the-more-people-that-learn-about-you-even-if-you-re-an-underdog-then/) [Gerard Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-way/) > [Anyone who maintains absolute standards of good and evil is dangerous. As dangerous as a maniac with a loaded revolver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/anyone-who-maintains-absolute-standards-of-good-and-evil-is-dangerous/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) Browse all 6,450 Dangerous quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at you is to back up. That just makes it more dangerous for you. You'll get hurt that way. You've got to teach yourself to go forward, move your feet and move your head. I'm not going to lie, that was tough for me to learn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jake Hager" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-throwing-punches-at-you-is-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dangerous" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-throwing-punches-at-you-is-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/jake-hager-6320_dangerous_your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-th_2199276.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Your natural instinct when people are throwing punches at you is to back up. That just makes it more…” — Jake Hager", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jake Hager", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Your natural instinct when people are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-throwing-punches-at-you-is-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/your-natural-instinct-when-people-are-throwing-punches-at-you-is-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```