subject: Self Defense - Why It's Not Smart To Block A Kick [print this page] Are you serious about learning how to protect yourself against a dangerous attack? If the answer is yes, then one of the first things you should learn is what NOT to do. The martial arts and self defense training world is filled with people - instructors and students alike - who have theories but no real experience. And, if you want to be able to prevent a real world attacker from beating, breaking or killing you, you'll want to ignore most of what you hear!
One of these "ideas" that works in the dojo ("training hall") but not too well in the real world is the concept of blocking a kick. I know this because I used what I was taught, not by one teacher but a half-dozen or more in just as many arts, and ended up with a shattered ulna in my right forearm!
While there are certainly ways to deal with an incoming kicking leg, the idea of stopping it with a bone that's smaller than the one he's throwing at you is not only a bad strategy - it's stupid! If you believe in this strategy, you're probably offended by that statement right now, and I'm sorry.
But, I'm not sorry for offending you - for waking you up. I'm sorry that you were convinced by people that you obviously believed-in, like, and trust...that trying to stop the weight and force of a larger limb with a smaller one, was a viable self defense move!
Rather than trying to block a kick, my experience in actually defending against real-world attackers has proven that there are much better options - options which give you more control, better advantage, and at the same time - take away any advantage he had that were based on speed, strength, or skill.
1) Evade the kick. Simply getting out of the way and causing him to "waste a shot" can not only protect your targets, but it can also surprise the attacker and prevent him from being able to get you with his next attack.
2) Use barriers. By moving close to walls, cars, poles, or even furniture that you can use to limit and restrict his ability to kick, you create an uncomfortable situation where he has to play by your rules instead of using his favorite technique.
3) Catch the leg. While this may sound just as risky as blocking, when combined with the 3 strategic controllers - timing, distancing & angling - it becomes a powerful tactic that he probably hasn't seen or prepared for.
Unfortunately, far too many people have sought out self defense training with the idea of only learning "some moves" - the physical techniques. This only sets you up to be "taken" by anyone who sounds like he or she knows what they're talking about. When, what you need is a teacher who has "been there" - someone with, not only knowledge but experience.
