Blocking and parrying in combat

[Justin Treadaway]

So who are these 80 year old masters who win fights and have you seen any of them? A punch is a punch. A structurally correct punch is better than an incorrect one. By your rational that a guy who uses "Chi" is going to better, that suggests that "chi" is better than simple muscle strength. To me, that sounds like one of the McKwoon excuses of not having muscle working training.

Our school does have muscle work training. We are told to be in good shape and stay strong. I am not saying that. But technique will beat out muscle strength any day. I am not saying we don't have muscle strength and stamina. I mean if you are out of shape and weak then you probably aren't going to be a good martial artist. I run 6 days a week and muscle train 4 days a week.... I am just saying your strength and speed will only take you so far. If that is all your relying on then why not just run, workout and punch a punching bag instead of taking a martial art. I do both of following but I don't rely on my strength to defend myself because there is always someone stronger and faster out there. And by the way our school is about as far from a Mckwoon as you can get. He actually speaks against mckwoons all the time.

Edited July 29, 2007 by Justin Treadaway

[Justin Treadaway]

I used to have a student who boxed in the 1940s and '50s. He would come train with me once a week. I have never been hit as hard as I have by this guy, who was in his late '60s.

Its not just about how hard you can hit, its knowing where and when to hit.

[bushido_man96]

I used to have a student who boxed in the 1940s and '50s. He would come train with me once a week. I have never been hit as hard as I have by this guy, who was in his late '60s.

Its not just about how hard you can hit, its knowing where and when to hit.

He had great timing and strategy, as well. He was a good fighter, and actually contended for a time.

But technique will beat out muscle strength any day... I mean if you are out of shape and weak then you probably aren't going to be a good martial artist. I run 6 days a week and muscle train 4 days a week.... I am just saying your strength and speed will only take you so far.

You make some good points here. However, buy getting stronger and faster, then you technique is rewarded even further. Being strong, and having good technique, will benefit over just technique.

[mantis.style]

Its not just about how hard you can hit, its knowing where and when to hit.

The flaw here is that you incorrectly assume that a boxer knows neither. I would go as far as to say that the average off the street weekend and thursdays when it's free at the company gym boxer has a technically better punch than the average twice a week 2hours a day "martial artist" and better timing.

[nine_weapons]

haven't read this whole thread, but as far as blocking in a fight - it's inefficient. When you have rapid, full power shots coming toward you in flurries, you cannot block them all. this is why you rarely see a boxer block. The heirarchy is:

evade

parry

block

[TraditionalDan]

haven't read this whole thread, but as far as blocking in a fight - it's inefficient. When you have rapid, full power shots coming toward you in flurries, you cannot block them all. this is why you rarely see a boxer block. The heirarchy is:

evade

parry

block

Of course, but we need to bear in mind that most blocks can, and maybe should be turned into grabs where possible.

Not just to manipulate the opponent, but to prevent more strikes coming in.

If your techniques are right then yes. If you know how to be relaxed until impact and your train for this, then yes you are practicing your chi. But Boxing for instance even though they punch the bag 254235324 times they are relying more on strength and not chi. Thats why you see those little 80 year old chinese masters that can still hold their own. You won't see someone who practices a "hard Style" doing this. Because when you rely on your strength at 80..... then its pretty much useless.

I think all styles are relaxed until impact, even those that look particularly hard (or external).

It is just a case of developing it.

[Kajukenbopr]

relaxed until impact... its not as easy as it sounds...

in xing yi it is practiced until perfect and it takes a long while.