Overhead cross block: In order to do an overhead cross block and move your skull out of the way so it doesn't get cracked (using the 45 degree angle and all) your cross block would have to be out to either side of your shoulder. If this is the case, why not just teach an mixture of an overhead and extended outward block? Your idea of moving to a zone of santuary can be better accomplished by making the block and keeping your head forward almost as if you plan to drive your face into their chest (obviously this is an overexaggeration so you can understand what I'm saying)
Leaping Crane: So what you are trying to say is that you plan to leap to one leg in the middle of a fight? Prudence and the basic laws of physics suggest that leaping to a what essentially becomes a single point of balance, a point which now is loaded with all the force that your "leaping" body has created, would not be ideal. At this instance your commitment is total and directional change is difficult. If the tech made use of explosive foot maneuvers, like a push drag for instance, then one simply slips the punch while maintaining a far higher degree of maneuverability.
Triggered Salute: What is the ideal execution of this technique (for you)? I.E. is the push to be intercepted before making contact, during contact, or after the grab has been made? With all the different methods out there I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.
the gun techs never rely on grabbing the cylinder/hammer so ya donts get shot in yer favroite organ or limb or head...they rely on getting out of line with that hole in the end of the boomstick, and staying out of line with it..any grabbing is only taught as a possibility...
Wow, getting out of the way of the barrel... you don't say. So you don't plan to check the weapon or the weapon hand at all. So you are saying that the gun techniques don't advocate grabbing the weapon at all? Then why does everyone do them like that? hmmmm
backcutting: you mentioned that you get cut repeatedly when defending against the knife. Doesn't sound to me like your knife techniques take backcutting into account. You said that Entwined Lance actually relies on the backcut, hmmmm...... what if they just stab straight in? Each technique should teach you how to check the weapon and or how to suffiently execute your defense while minimizing the chances for getting cut regardless of whether the opponent backcuts or not.
Twist stances: How much power is generated from executing a twist stance vs. the decreasing manueverability and loss of stability created by performing this particular stance? In a fight you would never cross your arms against your body because you could be pinned. So why would you voluntarily cross your legs, thereby negating the use of 2 weapons while simultaneously destabilizing your stance? If you think a twist stance is stable, then execute one have a buddy push you or throw punches and kicks. Do you still think it's stable? Anything that can be accomplished with a twist stance can be accomplished with a more stable, and fluid foot manuever.
Here's something for you, if you have to be really big or spend more than 10 years in an art to make it effective then something ain't right. A student should be able to have a few hours of training and have a shot at defending themselves, not come in and expect to train for 5-10 years before they have any hope at all. There is something to be said for practicality.
But it doesn't sound like the guy being kicked at "knew" that the take down was coming after the kick.
