mindsage25
remember that the best way not to get hit is to end it as fast as possible (run away or make the first strike)
Well no offense to mindsage, but at times there simply aren't times you can end things quickly so learning not to turtle is a good habit to get over especially if you enter tournaments. I remember watching a tournament when I was a lower rank and I saw people turtling and I thought to myself "Why do people do that? It isn't going to help so why do it?" I was having the same problem myself, but you just have to practice and get over it. Keep in mind not to do it and force yourself to get use to it.