What causes a fighter to become "gun shy"?

[BorkLazer]

We see it with some fighters who used to be a lot better of strikers start to become tentative on the feet. Unwilling to throw strikes when they normally would. Guys that come to mind are Rashad Evans, KJ Noons and Anthony Pettis even seems a bit like this lately. What causes it? Is it that there timing is off from not enough sparring? Or ring rust

Could. Add JDS to the list too

 

[YoungBoyd]

 

[mikehunt]

 

[MrFeeny]

usually getting knocked out has something to do with it

 

[BorkLazer]

So it happens when guys have been kod enough? And they develop a fear of getting caught?

 

[Drake]

Having Cain beat the shit out of you for ten rounds will certainly do it.

 

[dre quinn]

Counters

 

[mikehunt]

 

[Ceez]

I'll take scrambled eggs for 1000 Alex

 

[7437]

You will get hesitant any time you get hurt doing something, fighting is no exception. People who were in bad car crashes drive timid, same concept.

 

[Th3 Gr38 1]

You will get hesitant any time you get hurt doing something, fighting is no exception. People who were in bad car crashes drive timid, same concept.

I've had three accidents and my driving habits have not changed

 

[7437]

I've had three accidents and my driving habits have not changed

Try getting in a worse one

 

[Dingaling]

I've had three accidents and my driving habits have not changed

Are you bragging about being a poor driver?

 

[Doog Doogson]

I've had three accidents and my driving habits have not changed

Sounds like you should change your driving habits.

 

[Chain Saw]

So it happens when guys have been kod enough? And they develop a fear of getting caught?

Basically this.

It could also be if a striker with a bad ground game is facing a wrestler he will be more reluctant to throw.

Holly wasn't committing to almost any of her strikes vs Miesha for example.

 

[drkaratekid]

Having Cain beat the shit out of you for ten rounds will certainly do it.

JDS is my fav HW; but man did he get whooped for SO long

 

[arrmike]

Have you competed in sports? It's pretty rare to not hit mental barriers at some point.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

TS you eat enough counter shots you'll be gun shy too

 

[King Cobra]

You get knock out and therefore you become more tentative. Plain and simple.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

what causes hesitation? a bad KO loss. a 1 sided beating. getting countered constantly. wrestling. a huge reach disadvantage. missing a lot of strikes. no confidence. and getting embarrassed.

it's different for every fighter, but most fighters will fit into one or more of those as a reason why they didn't let their strikes go.