Article/Blog on "hard" vs. "soft" blocking

[MarkC]

http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/20...nt=Yahoo!+Mail

[KenpoChanger]

In short, get off the line of attack; use blocks to give you margin for error in the effort to get off that line.
Sean

[J-squared]

I love this line:

In fact, I believe that "hard" blocks are rarely useful - so rarely useful that this is part of what accounts for the fact that blocks are very seldom even contemplated in combat sports. Yet I see no reason why they should not be used in that arena.

Which is what a lot of people thought about high kicks and jump kicks, until someone like Randy Couture gets KO'd and loses a tooth to one (UFC 129).

Randy-Couture-vs-Lyoto-Machida-Fight-Video5.jpg

There is a big difference in conserving energy for a sporting event (like boxing, kick boxing...) by using minimal parries - than going balls to the wall, for a short period of time, to win a street fight.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

I think it is a pretty ignorant point of view.

When "Hard" Blocking with my dominant hand you are able to get a dramatic reaction from your opponent, given the caveat that you are a good basic practitioner.

"Soft" blocking is a very useful tool for use with the non-dominant arm.

And there folks is simple effective tailoring.

[kenporider]

I think it is a pretty ignorant point of view.

When "Hard" Blocking with my dominant hand you are able to get a dramatic reaction from your opponent, given the caveat that you are a good basic practitioner.

"Soft" blocking is a very useful tool for use with the non-dominant arm.

And there folks is simple effective tailoring.

I have to disagree. "Soft" blocking as it relates to Kenpo is a time sensitive thing. The earlier I recognize and can react to the attack the harder the block, but as reaction time decreases the block becomes softer even to the point of just a touch to get the strike off center.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

I have to disagree. "Soft" blocking as it relates to Kenpo is a time sensitive thing. The earlier I recognize and can react to the attack the harder the block, but as reaction time decreases the block becomes softer even to the point of just a touch to get the strike off center.

Of course you could do a "soft" block with your dominant hand, but that would be unuseful on the scale of logic.

Why would you do a soft block with your dominant hand? To setup a shot from your non-dominant hand?

[KirkS]

It's my understanding that "hard blocks" weren't blocks per se but, strikes and that "soft blocks" were just redirections of an attack

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

It's my understanding that "hard blocks" weren't blocks per se but, strikes and that "soft blocks" were just redirections of an attack

That understanding fits in with what I am trying to say.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

A definition that might help you see where I am coming from

"Coordination is the synchronization of body, mind and breath. Making Basics or sequences of Basics look the same on both sides is not Coordination. It is symmetry."

[kenporider]

Of course you could do a "soft" block with your dominant hand, but that would be unuseful on the scale of logic.

Why would you do a soft block with your dominant hand? To setup a shot from your non-dominant hand?

Because my time to react dictates it. Let's take Delayed Sword as an example against a punch. If all I have time for is a soft block (think a very small parry) I would still follow up with the same follow up strikes. The scale of logic is dependant upon reation time. The goal of the block is to not get hit, anything beyond that is sauce for the goose.

[kenporider]

It's my understanding that "hard blocks" weren't blocks per se but, strikes and that "soft blocks" were just redirections of an attack

It seems that the author includes parries in the catagory of blocks. Anything that stops or redirects the strike would be considered a block in that perspective.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

Because my time to react dictates it. Let's take Delayed Sword as an example against a punch. If all I have time for is a soft block (think a very small parry) I would still follow up with the same follow up strikes. The scale of logic is dependant upon reation time. The goal of the block is to not get hit, anything beyond that is sauce for the goose.

The "soft" block leaves that limb engaged with the incoming weapon longer and doesn't effect the attackers attitude the same.

The goal is not just to redirect the limb, the goal is economy of motion. Choosing the Best available target, choosing the Best available weapon, in the least amount of time, while still achieving the desired result.

[MarkC]

The "soft" block leaves that limb engaged with the incoming weapon longer and doesn't effect the attackers attitude the same.

The goal is not just to redirect the limb, the goal is economy of motion. Choosing the closest available target, choosing the closest available weapon, in the least amount of time, while still achieving the desired result.

You left out an important part of this definition. In fact, you've mangled it, which is somehow not surprising.
The definition of Economy of Motion is :

"Choosing the BEST available weapon for the BEST available angle, to insure reaching the BEST available target in the least amount of time, WHILE STILL OBTAINING THE DESIRED RESULT. Any movement that takes less time to execute, but still causes the effect intended. Any movement that inhibits or does not actively enhance the effect intended is categorized as wasted motion."

And last time I checked, "the goal" isn't economy of motion, but ending the conflict with you being the one able to walk away from it. Quickly.

Some of the little pitty-pat stuff people execute and claim economy of motion in fact violates the definition, because the effects are minimal at best.

And if instead of using a parry, you were to use a BAM block you not only deflect the incoming limb, you also most likely upset the attackers posture quite a bit, negatively affecting him.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

You left out an important part of this definition. In fact, you've mangled it, which is somehow not surprising.
The definition of Economy of Motion is :

"Choosing the BEST available weapon for the BEST available angle, to insure reaching the BEST available target in the least amount of time, WHILE STILL OBTAINING THE DESIRED RESULT. Any movement that takes less time to execute, but still causes the effect intended. Any movement that inhibits or does not actively enhance the effect intended is categorized as wasted motion."

And last time I checked, "the goal" isn't economy of motion, but ending the conflict with you being the one able to walk away from it. Quickly.

Some of the little pitty-pat stuff people execute and claim economy of motion in fact violates the definition, because the effects are minimal at best.

And if instead of using a parry, you were to use a BAM block you not only deflect the incoming limb, you also most likely upset the attackers posture quite a bit, negatively affecting him.

And by the definition given that would be a "Hard" block.

[kenporider]

The "soft" block leaves that limb engaged with the incoming weapon longer and doesn't effect the attackers attitude the same.

The goal is not just to redirect the limb, the goal is economy of motion. Choosing the Best available target, choosing the Best available weapon, in the least amount of time, while still achieving the desired result.

Why? Keeping the limb engaged implies a slowness to follow up with a counter. Using smaller movements increases the speed of the actions. Granted, it sacrifices power but again this is dictated by the situation. I'd much rather use a hard block but it's not always a realistic expectation which is why we also train our basics using "soft" blocks.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

Why? Keeping the limb engaged implies a slowness to follow up with a counter. Using smaller movements increases the speed of the actions. Granted, it sacrifices power but again this is dictated by the situation. I'd much rather use a hard block but it's not always a realistic expectation which is why we also train our basics using "soft" blocks.

Because of the intention. With a "hard" block you should be using striking energy, with a "soft" block you are using pushing energy.

[jdinca]

Because of the intention. With a "hard" block you should be using striking energy, with a "soft" block you are using pushing energy.

Depends on how you do your "soft" block. If you stay relaxed, "pop" your hand just before impact and strike with the heel of your hand, you are using striking energy, just not as much as when striking with a hard object like radius in your forearm.

[Eastcoastkenpoist]

Depends on how you do your "soft" block. If you stay relaxed, "pop" your hand just before impact and strike with the heel of your hand, you are using striking energy, just not as much as when striking with a hard object like radius in your forearm.

You are redirecting the force at that point and not simply riding it.

The problem is .... we haven't defined what we are discussing, so we are probably talking about the same things.

Oh well.

[kenporider]

Because of the intention. With a "hard" block you should be using striking energy, with a "soft" block you are using pushing energy.

Not necessarily, it depends on how soft the block is. Remember you're also decreasing the amount of time in the action which is the whole point. As your reaction time decreases so does the "hardness" of the block. It's all about having more options for more scenarios.

[jdinca]

You are redirecting the force at that point and not simply riding it.

The problem is .... we haven't defined what we are discussing, so we are probably talking about the same things.

Oh well.

I run into that when talking about a "soft hand block". I just call it an inward parry now, even though the Kenpo definition appears to be slightly different.