Help with survival drills.

[Tap4Me]

In class we do alot of survival drills, just someone punching at you and you have to defend, this is where I dont accel too well, I was wondering if there are any tips anyone can give to improve my defense.

I think I get confused when they start throwing punches at me cause I dont know where they are going. I keep my eyes open and try and concentrate but I seem to get hit a awful lot.

[Garland]

Remember your footwork. If you're not getting out of the way, you're going to get hit.

[HtTKar]

look at the persons chest, dont look at their hands or eyes. Use peripheral vision for that. If you looking towards and through their chest, you're less likely to be decieved. Also use your peripher vision to keep an eye on their hips. All motion is done through the hips.

When you say you dont excell too well, what do you mean? Are you getting hit in the head? are you having trouble with footwork?

Or are they teaching you too many techniques, and you forget which technique to use for which punch?

[Tap4Me]

No, not learning too many techniques. I think it is more of me looking at his hands, I just get hit too much.

Thanks!

[silapathai]

looking at eyes

I used to use this method of not looking at the eyes and would focus on the head and shoulders..almost like a triangle and use peripheral vision. Funny thing is some muay thai instructor got me to do this but in Karate I was used to looking into the eyes. I than trained with another muay thai instructor(master toddy) and he told me to focus on the eyes. I found that looking at the eyes is best..for me. I think it comes down the to experience of the individual when applying which method. I wouldn't reccomend watching the hips of an opponent. To each is own, more than one path...What works good for me not work good for you.
When you do these drills are you allow to attack back or is it just blocking, parrying, avoiding?