Don’t Turn Into a Block, Turn Away From It

I often see martial artists make wide, exaggerated folds in kata and when trying to block an opponent’s attack. This usually doesn’t work because a straight-on attack lands before it is perceived, a large fold can be made, and the block comes out. A simple solution is to parry the attack. While an effective defense, parrying doesn’t damage the attacking limb like a good, hard block could.

Another alternative: instead of swinging your block into your opponent, turn away from the attack. You can fold straight on, or at a 90 degree angle, and turn your body sideways in the opposite direction as you block. This gives your block up to 180 degrees rotational power without exposing yourself during much of the turn. The block travels a straighter line while your body twists off the attack line, improving the chance of intercepting your opponent’s oncoming strike. This end position also sets you up to countersink your hips 90 degrees for a forceful counter attack.

Think of the hub and spokes of a wheel. Do the spokes rotate on their own, or does the rotating hub cause the attached spokes to rotate? Your twisting body, the hub, will bring your attached arms around to block more effectively than flailing your arms with large motions. Think back to your geometry lessons. A semi-circle is 180 degrees. The diameter, a straight line, is also 180 degrees, but is much more direct and covers much less distance than a half circle does.

The primary purpose of any block is to protect the individual. A punch won’t harm you if you block it. Makes sense. It also makes sense that smashing the attacking limb with a strong block greatly reduces the likelihood of any more attacks from that limb. A fast, hard, body rotational, 180 degree linear, strong block could even defeat your opponent. An old Okinawan maxim says, “There is no first strike in Karate.” True, we don’t start a fight, but if he strikes first, we’ll block/strike his body. He attacked us first, but we damaged him first.