Body Punch and Same Limb Outside Palm Block

In this drill I’m using blocks instead of parries of upper body avoidances.

This week it is all about striking the head or torso of my attacker and defending against their counter.

Today it’s about striking the body and guarding my face.

Without prejudice

Body Punch and Same Limb Inside Hooking Block

This is very similar to yesterday’s drill.

The main difference is that I’m using an inside hooking block to knock the attack to the side.

In both cases, my punch is low inviting an attack to my face. It doesn’t have to be done this way. I can punch high and block high.

Without prejudice

Body Punch and Same Limb Rising Block

The whole idea is to make the block (or strike to my attacker’s arm) as effective and easy to use as my punch to his body is.

Without prejudice

Angled Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

I am withdrawing straight back out of an attack only when I’m sure my attacker is down.

For those times when he is still standing, I will disengage at an angle.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

Performing the most basic of defenses slowly until they are a reflex is a time consuming business. By adding follow-ups like the lunging fore elbow and a speedy withdrawal; I keep my interest up.

Enthusiasm in training is an absolute must. I would rather spend only five minutes doing this stuff with all my heart than two hours with a careless attitude.

Without prejudice

Mantis Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

I have usually practiced most of my techniques from a forward facing position. Defending against an attack from the side or rear is somewhat different.

Mostly, I prefer to face trouble. When that is not possible, there are always answers but I’ll cover them at another time. This week is about drills that come from the front while I’m in neutral.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

Another thing that I found difficult was the draw. In theory, I’m giving my attacker an opening. I know he is going to punch and my defense is ready.

The reality is that my defenses worked in a bow but not in neutral. I had to relearn them from that stance in order to make them work.

Without prejudice

Inside Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

Nov 22 2010

Inside Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

Practicing blocks and strikes from neutral is not as easy as it looks. I find it easy to let my weight slide back onto my heels. Distance can be thrown off. The whole concept that neutral is a stance every bit as important as a horse or a bow took a long time to sink in. It took a lot of practice.

I’m still working on executing two man techniques out of it.

Without prejudice

Rising Block and Counter Punch from Neutral

This week I’m demonstrating defense drills done starting from neutral.

Neutral is where I’m standing with my feet parallel to one another about shoulder width apart.

I block and punch from neutral because I don’t have the time to get set up in any other stance.

I’ve also added both a follow-up lunging fore elbow and a speedy withdrawal.

Without prejudice

Same Side Angled Block and Counter Punch

This is very similar to yesterday’s defense drill.

The main difference is that the attacker is swinging the punch in on a bit of an angle.

The block must travel to the outside a bit in order to meet it.

Without prejudice

Same side Crossdownward Block and Counter Punch

This is one of those defenses that works well against either hand.

In this case I prefer to use it against my attackers lead arm.

Without prejudice

Same Side Mantis Block and Counter Punch

I could easily say ‘And Then’ counter. The point of doing this drill is to attack the attacking limb before I attack the head or torso.

There is a definite pause between the two moves.

Without prejudice

Same Side Outside Palm Block and Counter Punch

I use this when my blocking arm is already up.

Generally, I find it works best for me when I go left against left.

However, I can easily use it against either arm.

Without prejudice

Same Arm Inside Hooking Block and Counter Punch

This is against a straight punch to the face.

I simply knock the inside of the attacking punch off to the side before counter punching.

Without Prejudice

Same Arm Rising Block and Counter Punch

This week I’m demonstrating a variation on the exercises I was doing a couple of weeks ago.

They all fall under the heading of Block and counter. There is a definite one, two rhythm to this defence.

This drill is also based on the idea that the defender can see the attack coming and is both willing and able to handle it effectively.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Spin Kick Follow-up

This is very similar to the spin backfist follow-up. The distance is different but the hazard to the kicker remains.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Opposite Leg Kick

Not as fast as yesterday’s combination. It has the advantage of being more powerful.

There is a moment between the kicks when the kicker is vulnerable. Care should be taken that the one being kicked is not able to launch a counter attack at that moment.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Same Leg Follow-up

This is one of the fastest combinations there is. Just like doubling up on the jab (only with a kick).

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Spin Backfist Follow-up

This is a flashy technique that looks good.

Helps develop balance, rhythm, speed and the distance has to be adjusted too.

However, the kicker’s back is exposed (however briefly) and this makes this a more dangerous combination (to the kicker) than other combinations.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Opposite Side Punch

This is a slight variation on yesterday’s combination.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with Same Side Punch

This week I’m practising slide in offset kicks with same side punch follow ups. These are very similar to what I was doing with my front kick follow ups a few weeks ago.

The idea is to kick low and punch high. It’s based on the idea of the attacker staying put for the initial kick.

Without prejudice

Angled Block and Counter Punch

Come down on an angle against the shovel hook before counter punching.

A straight downward block won’t always protect against it.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Palm Block and Counter Punch

Back Dated for Nov 4 2010

Crossdownward Palm Block and Counter Punch

I use this primarily against a straight left punch to the solar plexus.

It is pretty much the same as yesterday.

The only real difference is that the punch is done with the left hand.

Another major exception is the block is down instead of to the side.

Without prejudice

Mantis Block and Counter Punch

For the last three days of this week I’m defending my mid torso.
He is going after the area of my spleen, solar plexus or liver.

Today I block a hard right punch to my left torso.
I keep my hands high in this instant to draw his punch low.
Then I counter punch after.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block and Counter Punch

Again today’s defence combination drill is done against a punch to the face.

In this defence my blocking hand is both up and it is open.
The whole idea is that an attacker is snapping his (her) jab quickly.
I don’t have a lot of time here so having my hand up to begin with is vital.

I haven’t mentioned much about the concept of ‘drawing an attack’.
The most basic idea is that I give an identifiable attacker a target.
When they attempt to attack that target, I’m ready with a defence and counter punch.

It is vital that a counter punch follow the block.
The whole point of this drill is to make staying safe a reflex.
A counter punch is the obvious follow-up to the defence.
The counter punch is used to deter the attacker from punching repeatedly.

This is a drill.
This drill is designed to build confidence in combining a defence with a counter punch.
This drill is designed to build speed, power, rhythm...
All that good stuff I might need if push goes to shove.

But...

It would likely be applied differently against a hostile attacker.




Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block and Counter Punch

This is very similar to what I was doing yesterday.
The main difference is that I’m blocking the attack off to the side.
This would work better if the attack were a bit lower on the face.

Some people call these blocks ‘slap’ blocks; that is as good a name as any.
The block should feel like nothing to the blocker.
It is the attacker who should feel the shock and pain of the block.

It took me a long time to learn to just flick out my arm.
To just slap an attacking fist to the side went against the grain.
And once I got the idea, it still requires constant practice.
I find blocking is a high maintenance activity.
Constant solo drills and constant two man drills are an absolute for me.

Without prejudice