Considerations in Martial Arts, article.

[gilgsn]

Hello,

I posted a short article on my blog:

http://keskydee.com/wordpress/archives/249

Gil.

[Nolerama]

I don't agree about your philosophy on blocking; but then again, I operate under the assumption that in a fight, I will get hit. I will probably get hit while trying to dish out a strike.

Blocking seems pretty important in that respect.

Maintain an effective guard and be able to effectively strike? I'll subscribe to that.

Rely simply on evading a strike every time? That's just foolish.

Blocking is not bad. It's cousin The Parry is pretty effective as well.

Considering your rant about MA's and boxes, doesn't that throw your style/fighting philosophy into one? Sounds a little hypocritical to me.

[gilgsn]

Well, I never said "never block." But when you can, why not just step aside? My opinion is that never blocking is as bad as blocking everything, with a preference on not blocking when you don't have to.. If that makes sense..

Thanks for the feedback, have a great day,

Gil.

[JadecloudAlchemist]

I agree with Nolema about blocking.

I feel "checking" a strike parrying and blocking can all have there place in fighting. It can allow for a chance to clinch,set up,feint or what have you.

Overall nice blog.

[Nolerama]

Well, I never said "never block." But when you can, why not just step aside? My opinion is that never blocking is as bad as blocking everything, with a preference on not blocking when you don't have to.. If that makes sense..

Thanks for the feedback, have a great day,

Gil.

Pardon me, I only aim to help you on your article.

However, you implied that blocking should be look down upon; at least, that's what I get out of the article as the reader. It would be irresponsible for you as an author of a potentially publishable article to step over that fine line and imply that blocking should be second-rate. What if a reader takes that to heart and just dismisses his blocking training? That reader might learn the hard way that your statement is a little false.


I know you don't "have" to block. But you don't have to fight, either. A good shell position when getting mobbed by multiple attackers? That's a good reason to block. Backed into a corner by a knife-wielding opponent and the only thing that might save you is your blocking fore arm? Good time to block. Worst-case scenario tend to get people in positions where they just might have to block.

On the note of the article: could you cite sources and base styles? I know you said you're no expert, but since this is an article meant to dole out advice, you kind of assume expert status when you write something like this.

[gilgsn]

Good point, I should have made that clear, and will modify it a bit or add a comment.. Thank you for your help.

As for sources, as I mention, this comes from personal experience and is my opinion. I don't want to get into discussing styles..

I agree with you about getting stuck in a corner. Obviously, blocking does have it's place. I just think that usually, not enough emphasis is placed on vacating the spot you occupy when a strike comes. Of course, that is not always possible. You can block different ways also, and sometimes a block becomes a hard redirection, which to me seems more desirable because it doesn't stop the flow of movement.

Gil.

[Nolerama]

Right on, but if this piece is going to be an article, there has to be a reliable, credible source; one that removes the piece from mere speculation.

If you're going the Gonzo route, then might I suggest wording the article in such a way as to have the reader "go along for the ride" instead of experiencing what comes off as an informative, doctrinal piece?

Getting into styles might be of some importance, IMHO because there are different insights to different situations when going from style to style. Finding the differences, and similarities with the styles you practice or practiced will make the article go a long way in terms of depth, and leaps and bounds for you as the author in terms of credibility and depth of character.

[gilgsn]

Hello again,

Well, if this was a paper on medical research, I agree that sources and credibility would be of the utmost importance. That because of course, not everyone has a medical lab on hand. However, the opinions I advanced can be experimented with easily enough. They might work for me, but not everyone. We could be practicing the same style, but still, mine would most likely be different than yours, and what might work for me might not work for you, and vice-versa. All I am saying, is: Try it and see if it works for you. If it does, great, if it doesn't, oh well.. I just wish someone had given me the same kind of advise twenty years ago, It would have saved me a lot of time way back then, and I may not have stopped training for so many years.. After all, that's why we all train, so that we don't have to test unproven stuff in real situations..

Thank you for the constructive criticism. I did update the blog slightly about blocking..

Gil.

[terryl965]

Well I always consider a block to be a hit and to deliver damage when using it. So I am in the mind set of hurting as much as possible the person Ia m applying the block to.

[jks9199]

Stepping and evasion assures that you won't get hurt, and probably won't get hit. Blocking insures that you aren't likely to get hit if you've evaded the wrong thing... which isn't hard to do.

Blocking also can disrupt an opponent, stalling further attacks and enabling successful counter attack.