The Ultimate Shield

[Virgil Damian]

I have 2 questions:

1. I'm able to endure punches thrown by people, but I still want to better myself. Any advice from the sempais? Btw I'm doing leg raises on a daily basis and bench presses 2 times a week.

2. I've heard that there are Karateka whose blocks are like attacks, which must mean their bones are extremely dense. What exercises do you guys recommend for building this kinda power?

[joesteph]

I couldn't say that their bones are unusually dense, although working out with weights does increase bone density.

What I did in the past was a forearm drill with a partner. We faced each other with our feet placed in a natural, horizontal stance (as opposed to a front stance or horse stance). We then raised forearms in a blocking motion so that the outer forearms clashed, first my left to his right, then my right to his left, my left again, and so on. We didn't go all-out; it was for toughening with lots of reps. The stance caused us to turn the torso with the block. A kind of rhythm developed, and speed picked up. It was fun and definitely toughened the forearms.

[Soheir]

Your spirit is the true shield.

[Kuma]

I couldn't say that their bones are unusually dense, although working out with weights does increase bone density.

What I did in the past was a forearm drill with a partner. We faced each other with our feet placed in a natural, horizontal stance (as opposed to a front stance or horse stance). We then raised forearms in a blocking motion so that the outer forearms clashed, first my left to his right, then my right to his left, my left again, and so on. We didn't go all-out; it was for toughening with lots of reps. The stance caused us to turn the torso with the block. A kind of rhythm developed, and speed picked up. It was fun and definitely toughened the forearms.

I think this is called three star striking, and it is a great forearm conditioning exercise.

You can see that drill here at about 1:00:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXY4FgKlLok

Once your forearms are tough enough, you can actually rotate your forearm into their arm which is really rough on your opponent. I know from experience, trust me. They demonstrate that in this video too.

[joesteph]

I think this is called three star striking, and it is a great forearm conditioning exercise.

You can see [three star striking] here at about 1:00:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXY4FgKlLok

Once your forearms are tough enough, you can actually rotate your forearm into their arm which is really rough on your opponent. I know from experience, trust me. They demonstrate that in this video too.

I like the upper and lower forearm clashes, Kuma, and I did see something about the bone turning in at about 1:38, looking like one of the answers to "When is a block a strike?"

[Kuma]

I've actually been hit by the blocks of the blonde-haired guy in that video. It's like smashing against a steel pipe. We were usually the ones whimpering in pain as he just shrugged it off like it was nothing. The fact that Ikemiyagi Sensei makes him whimper is downright scary.