Start with a standing position as if you are guarding a passage and move without stepping to keep from getting harmed by the attacks of your partners. Do so for a few minutes and stop. Now consider doing the same drill but now with listening to your intuition and striking and moving (it is all the same) as you choose your motion out of your feeling and intuition (fear is a good servant for keeping away from harm but a terrible master) Note how your movement is different now and how less affected you are by the outside. This is one way to act instead of react and remember this also on the distance. You choose  the distance between you and others while walking down the street, keeping away from someone you feel uncomfortable with and in a fight when you step into the reach when you choose to do so or out but with awareness to this and acting not reacting.

Honest work will bring you honest results.