#1. I will also shamelessly plug Dan's (Prof. Dan; American Freestyle Karate) book. :ultracool I got Dan's 1st Freestyle Karate book in 93' or 94' before Dan knew I was alive.
; I actually didn't know he had a second book on it until a few weeks ago, so I'll be getting that one soon. Heck, I have been meaning to read his first one again soon. It really is that good.
Anyways, the book is more directed towards the point fighter, however, I found that it helped my full contact fighting as well. So don't be biased because it is "point fighting," as the concepts are indeed universal. It's worth the few bucks.
Now for Some quick advise...
#2 As I see it, many martial artists, particularly beginners and intermediate level artists, think about defending in a linear fashion. They think, "block, counter, block, counter..." The problem is, fights don't happened in a linear fashion. THere is this issue of "Time" involved, hence why "timing" is often what seperates an expert from the average. If you are moving to block, and your opponent aborts his strike, then you need to abort the block as well, fluidly moving to your next movement. In other words, treat the fight as a fluid exchange; don't wait for your block, or one "move" to be completed before you move to the next, or you'll find yourself overextending missed blocks and strikes, giving your opponent time to counter you. As you get more and more skilled, your timing will improve, and you will see a difference in your performance.
#3 Different types of defenses...
A. Attack: Your attack meets your opponent before his meets you, thus disrupting the attack.
B Evasion: Evading involves any movement that allows you to avoid the attack, or prevent the attack from landing, without actually having to touch the attacking limb. This could be bobs, weaves, slips, stepping off the attackers line, etc. These techniques are the reason that boxers often confuse the hell out of traditional martial artists. These are very underrated by many martial artists, but I believe that evasion is one of the best ways to defend and line up a counter. Your attacker is expecting to either connect with his attack, or feel a block on his attack; when none of this occurs, he WILL overextend his attack (even the most experienced fighters will do it, even if only to a small degree). This gives you a great opportunity to connect your attack.
C. Destruction: This may not be allowed in your sparring, but use it anyways, as it is helpful in real fighting. :uhyeah: Basically, your now deciding to block, except you are striking, or destroying his limb in the process> Filipino Gunting is one example of this. I believe that most Traditonal MA hard blocks act as destructions.
D. parries: Using the hand to redirect the attack; not a "block" but a redirection of energy. Probably most common block.
E. Absorbtion: basically taking the shoot in a way where you absorb the strike. I can take a full blown stomach shot w/o damage, so I often just roll those off, of example. Absorbing a strike by the arms instead of the body could be another example.
So basically, explore all these options...don't get stuck on one thing!
Have fun...I am leaving for out of town, otherwise I'd type more!
PAUL
