Regardless of what kind of combat you're in, you always have two jobs
- defend yourself
- position yourself to strike
- and strike
Job 1 is easy. Wild swings can easily knock aside opponent's attacks but they leave you poorly able to deliver a strike of your own (or defend yourself from your opponent's second strike). That is, Job 2 may not be easily done.
In your practice always be sure that you're keeping both of your jobs in mind.