Proper Blocking

[MJS]

What do you do to get the most out of your blocks? Any particular methods or tricks that you use to ensure that you'll be executing a strong, stable block?

 

[ackks10]

What do you do to get the most out of your blocks? Any particular methods or tricks that you use to ensure that you'll be executing a strong, stable block?

sure my uncle showed me as a young boy when i went to work with him, what he did was not use that much water with the mix, and let me tell you Mike it worked really good, i mean the blocks were really strong.:ultracool

 

[DavidCC]

circular, relaxed, extended movements.

I've tested it over and over, on knowing and unknowing subjects, and using the index postitions and paths of travel that I learned from Doc, as used in SL-4 kenpo, make an incredible difference in stability and damaging effect.

Once you get the movements ingrained it feels effortless and light, yet my training partners are rubbing their arms and wincing. Then consider the more sensitive 'points' on the attacking arms... consider the benefits of certain qi gong techniques (san ti)...

but mostly I would emphasize circular, relaxed, extended movements.

 

[morph4me]

Think about blocks like strikes, relaxed and with your body behind them tensing at the point of impact. The idea being not only to stop the attack but to inflict damage on the offending appendage.

 

[MarkC]

I've always been told by sparing partners and self-defense "ukes" that my blocks hurt them without much apparent effort on my part, I wish I could figure out why.
I do put a distnct twisting motion at the end of them most of the time.

 

[marlon]

cover your center line, use good stances move have a good fololow up strike or strikes, and don't worry about blocking

marlon

 

[Doc]

... don't worry about blocking

marlon

OK!

 

[Touch Of Death]

OK!

Perhaps he means blocking is a part of a larger process.
Sean

 

[MarkC]

I'd pay good money to have Doc instruct me on blocking, srtiking, stances, moving.....if, of course I had any!

 

[Doc]

I'd pay good money to have Doc instruct me on blocking, srtiking, stances, moving.....if, of course I had any!

You're a lot closer than you think. It's the little things that knowledge brings that makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Doc]

I've always been told by sparing partners and self-defense "ukes" that my blocks hurt them without much apparent effort on my part, I wish I could figure out why.
I do put a distnct twisting motion at the end of them most of the time.

The "twist" is a bad thing.

 

[Doc]

What do you do to get the most out of your blocks? Any particular methods or tricks that you use to ensure that you'll be executing a strong, stable block?

In a word; "Index."

 

[theletch1]

Think about blocks like strikes, relaxed and with your body behind them tensing at the point of impact. The idea being not only to stop the attack but to inflict damage on the offending appendage.

Oddly enough, Tom, even though you and I study the same art now I picked up my thoughts on proper blocks long before beginning to study NGA but have the same feeling about blocking. Every block is a strike and I generally focus on using the ulna as my "hammer" for the strike.

 

[Doc]

Oddly enough, Tom, even though you and I study the same art now I picked up my thoughts on proper blocks long before beginning to study NGA but have the same feeling about blocking. Every block is a strike and I generally focus on using the ulna as my "hammer" for the strike.

Actually the popular "every block is a strike" perspective is technically incorrect, and a significant mischaracterization of a very complex mechanism. Focusing on one aspect, or the other, changes the potential effects and muscle group and skeletal alignments significantly enough to make them functional dichotomies of each other.

 

[theletch1]

Actually the popular "every block is a strike" perspective is technically incorrect, and a significant mischaracterization of a very complex mechanism. Focusing on one aspect, or the other, changes the potential effects and muscle group and skeletal alignments significantly enough to make them functional dichotomies of each other.

If I'm actually doing a hard block I've already screwed up. I'm an aikido-ka (Nihon Goshin) so really should be blending with the energy instead of using a block to stop it. I'm a realist, however, and realize that there will be times when that hard block from my kempo days may be what saves my butt. As it's not something that I do on a regular basis I've just settled into the every block is a strike mindset because the blocks that I'm doing are generally incidental to the atemi used to set up an aikido technique.

 

[Doc]

If I'm actually doing a hard block I've already screwed up. I'm an aikido-ka (Nihon Goshin) so really should be blending with the energy instead of using a block to stop it. I'm a realist, however, and realize that there will be times when that hard block from my kempo days may be what saves my butt. As it's not something that I do on a regular basis I've just settled into the every block is a strike mindset because the blocks that I'm doing are generally incidental to the atemi used to set up an aikido technique.

Interesting perspective sir, but even the "blending" characteristics of Aikido has "hard blocks" as well as strikes, as I understand it. Consider in execution that the "blending block" is no less effective, than the "hard kenpo block" relative to intended action. However, the commitment to one mechanism, or the other, does significantly impact you on the neuromuscular level and changes rudimentary function of your actions.

 

[MarkC]

The "twist" is a bad thing.

Can you elaborate sir?
Let me explain "twist", though you probably already know.
Actually, more of a focused snap. When we do basic hard blocks and knifehand strikes, we train to execute the block with the palm and facing the direction the block is moving toward, and at the last part of the movement, the forearm rotates so that as contact is made, the palm rotates to face me
and the ulna, for and inward forearm block; or the radius, for and outward forearm block, or the knife edge of the hand or the bottom of the fist is turning with a focused, snapping motion. Much the same way the fist rotates at the end of a punch.

I apologize for the clumsy description, as I noted, I'm sure you already know what I mean.
Can you explain a bit why this is bad, and the alternative?

Thank you.

 

[morph4me]

Interesting perspective sir, but even the "blending" characteristics of Aikido has "hard blocks" as well as strikes, as I understand it. Consider in execution that the "blending block" is no less effective, than the "hard kenpo block" relative to intended action. However, the commitment to one mechanism, or the other, does significantly impact you on the neuromuscular level and changes rudimentary function of your actions.

An interesting perspective, and I can see your point, if one were committed to one mechanism or the other. Now if you wouldn't mind, I'd really like to have you elaborate on your answer to the OP. I have no frame of reference for "Index"

 

[Doc]

An interesting perspective, and I can see your point, if one were committed to one mechanism or the other. Now if you wouldn't mind, I'd really like to have you elaborate on your answer to the OP. I have no frame of reference for "Index"

SL-4 Kenpo FAQ

What is an Index?​

The human body must move through specific points or posture to support the desired physical activity. Some are intuitively achieved and learned throughout a lifetime of trial and error creating established synaptic pathways, and mind body connections.

Others must be taught when entering into physically new and unproven (to the body) applications. These are taught with exaggerated external movements to train the body to understand the relationship between the external movement, application, and the thought process required for success. In the "Motion Concept" Mr. Parker generally referred to these as “Phonetic Movements.” When movements are specific, they become "Indexes."

Over time, these “indexes” become compressed, faster and ultimately intuitive requiring less external movement to recruit the same neuromuscular support for the activity. Most forms of modern martial arts do not contain these “indices” or this scientific methodology of teaching and training physical movement for maximum efficiency.

Physical activity learned this way last a lifetime with no significant diminishing of developed skills or speed, even without constant practice once learned.

Mr. Parker, as stated previously, used the term "phonetics." He also called some movements "vowel movements."

 

[morph4me]

Thanks, makes perfect sense. :asian: