Tonight at the dojo we worked on triangle drills. This drill usually involves three people, and tonight I worked with Mike, who is a fellow student, and Gary.
The basics of this drill is that one person attacks another, usually with any attack, and that person getting attacked has to defend, kill the attacker, then attack the third person. The third person defends, and then attacks the first. This process goes over and over again, and it makes a triangle. We usually work this drill in 2-5 minute intervals and rotate out. When you go at almost full speed, not only is it a great workout, but it also improves your reflexes.
The first time I attempted this drill was not pretty. I died on almost every attack that came to me. This time was much better; I only died half as much. Mike showed us some neat offline deflections and counterstrikes. I feel that this, in addition to katachi, helped me to not think so much when someone was attacking me. It got to the point where I was looking to see what type of strike might come and either got offline or out of the way, then deflect/parry and counterstrike.
In short, I was happy with being able to see improvement.