Defense, no. Evasion?

They can dodge forever, it seems, or something very near to it. The breath strains in their throat after a time, but their movements are still unflinching, unhesitating. The longer the Batter presses his assault, the fewer and farther between their answering blows become, until gradually they cease entirely.

Their focus is now devoted wholly and utterly on anticipating the next strike, and swerving to avoid it.