Do blocks work

**nomamao** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 8:55am

Blocks are for those who really don't like to hit back.

**thatrugbyguy** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 9:43am

Originally Posted by maofas

TBH I don't see any point in circular blocking, it seems like you're forcing yourself to take a longer route and risk getting hit down the pipe more.

If he is talking about circular blocking in the karate kid "wax on, wax off" sense*, then I'd disagree. That's one of the few traditional karate blocks/parry's that I've found consistently showing up in harder contact sparring in a recognizable form.

Sometimes it's a two handed cover against a high kick, or the "wax on" is a parry and "wax off" is just an insurance cover while moving offline, and in others it's a way to clear and control an arm while grappling. It works well enough regardless.

*Hiki uke? Anyone's Japanese terminology fresher than mine?

**Gabetuno** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 9:50am

GSP, Anderson Silva, and especially Lyoto Machida use parrying in their striking to great success.

When you have big gloves on it's easier to cover up and take a defensive position with the intent to absorb, but when you have tiny gloves (or just fists), it's more important to parry and control the center than it is to just cover your head and hope there are no openings.

**PimpDawg** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 2:40pm

Originally Posted by Mtripp

I would suggest rather than looking at them as blocks, you look at them as ways to get someones hands off of your clothing.....

Interestingly enough, as a gi BJJ and judo guy, the best I can hope for in a real fight is "please grab my clothing... please grab my clothing..."

**Little Lamb** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 3:10pm

Originally Posted by PimpDawg

Interestingly enough, as a gi BJJ and judo guy, the best I can hope for in a real fight is "please grab my clothing... please grab my clothing..."

I agree!

Unless the attacker is also a gi BJJ and judo guy. In which case, you might be going for a ride.

**IMightBeWrong** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 3:36pm

For the love of GOD, don't use any of those ridiculous "blocks"! Take it from a fellow ex-chunner, they don't work worth a damn. I wouldn't even trust the 360 degree blocking system from Krav Maga. Just don't do it. Learn to cover up properly and slip if you don't want to get hit.

**Mtripp** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 4:02pm

I too happen to be a Judo guy...

Look up that silly "two hand block." Then hunt up the Gracie Combative way to get a two hand lapel grab off...

...it should be a satori moment.

**Yoj** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 4:05pm

I did lohan kung fu with a genuwine chinaman, and he parried punches, the 'blocks' in the form were generally locks or escapes to grabs.

true story

**1point2** · Posted On: 8/07/2009 4:06pm

Originally Posted by Mtripp

I too happen to be a Judo guy...

Look up that silly "two hand block." Then hunt up the Gracie Combative way to get a two hand lapel grab off...

...it should be a satori moment.

Yeah, we taught that in Isshinryu. It's not a great application but it's OK.

**colonelpong2** · Posted On: 8/08/2009 4:50am

Originally Posted by bigstu31s

and then one day when I was nearing instructor level he told me to forget all the blocks I had learnt becasue they dont work. He then showed me boxing parrys and MT leg parrys. WTF he was teaching stuff that dont work I have no idea.

Grasshopper.... you have snatched the pebble from his hand...

What I really mean is that he's realised you arent going to fall for bullshit anymore