Slip, Parry or Block?

[Great Sage]

From your experiences, what is the best method of defense? Slipping, parrying or blocking?

I know that there is a moment for each, but I tend to rely on parrying more than the other two. Actually, it's more of a parry while slipping.

Slipping is probably the most ideal method of defense, but it's not always practical. In a couple real fights I found myself parrying more, using my hands as a feeler and to manipulate the opponent's hand.

I wouldn't necessarily block unless I had to... Consequently, I've had to BLOCK in situations where I was surprised... It's usually an instinctive movement where you absorb a lot of the blow.

[CHOKE UK]

"slip, parry and block"
sounds like a dodgy firm of solisitors.

Well you dont always get a choice.

But, and here I go again on my hobby horse,
for me the most important part is something that karate doent teach !

Upper body movement.
If this works well then great.
If it doesnt then a block etc is necessary.
Lets not forget footwork and strategy.

So this is partly dependent upon
your upper body movements and footwork,
and your opponents ability or inability.

To concentrate on blocking like say karate is inefficient
The block/parry should be there for whats left over from the "avoiding upper body movement"

For a proper attack, I want to ideally try and get inside and work him over with hooks,knees,elbows,headbuts, grappeling etc.
But karate types generally tend to instruct,
get in strike and get out.
That doesnt knock out hardened fighters.

[brokenelbow]

Crap a bad day, I agree with Great Sage!

To concentrate on blocking like say karate is inefficient

If the Karate is doing that it's very poor karate. Even shotokan which does attack like you say does use tai sabaki with it's "blocks".

[CHOKE UK]

Originally posted by brokenelbow
Crap a bad day, I agree with Great Sage!


If the Karate is doing that it's very poor karate. Even shotokan which does attack like you say does use tai sabaki with it's "blocks".

So are you saying that karate teaches upper body movement,
instead of blocking?

How does it teach this ?

I have never seen it !

Perhaps thats it, it's sssooooo fast ?

[darrianation]

Perry. It's easier, you dont need as fast of reflexes. Blocking is only a last resort if you still can by this time.

The slip while parrying is good too. So if you blow the slip you are still covered. This is what I end up doing most of the time. It shows a little lack of boxing skills but if it works...Who cares.

[CHOKE UK]

Originally posted by darrianation
Perry. It's easier, you dont need as fast of reflexes. Blocking is only a last resort if you still can by this time.

The slip while parrying is good too. So if you blow the slip you are still covered. This is what I end up doing most of the time. It shows a little lack of boxing skills but if it works...Who cares.

Well said that man, pot on !
Generally Karate doe not teach this way.
It focuses on the "block" itself,
and any body movement is a crude one dimentional movement.
Not perpetual motion.

So to sumerise, karate generally concentrates on arm movements to block,
But slipping,parrying etc, concentrates on body movement.
and mainly absorbing blows on arms.
They are two different concepts.

[brokenelbow]

Choke what ryu of karate are you from?

Well said that man, pot on !
Generally Karate doe not teach this way.
It focuses on the "block" itself,
and any body movement is a crude one dimentional movement.
Not perpetual motion.

So to sumerise, karate generally concentrates on arm movements to block,
But slipping,parrying etc, concentrates on body movement.
and mainly absorbing blows on arms.
They are two different concepts.

I have seen two kinds of karate that use blocks in a hard manner, one are the styles that emphasize conditioning of the the arms that use a blocking like motion to damage the attacking limb and the other are schools that don't know what they're doing. Tai sabaki, which as you know given your expertise in karate is not one dimensional or crude and is used to move offline and to a position of advantage. Many Okinawan styles use softer blocks and body positioning and strikes against the attacking arm, hand, leg or foot.

Karate does teach upper body movement but it's not pure bobing and weaving like boxing.

[yenhoi]

footwork/slip

Usually I try and make some contact so closer to a slip/parry.

block only if necessary.

[moma_news]

I think all have merit.

If possible, I prefer to slip. Slipping leaves both hands free to attack.

Parrying ties up one hand as does blocking.

As to blocking, I guess you have to distinguish what kind of block you're talking about. There could be the boxing-type block where the arm is close to the body. Say in a body-shot block to the ribs.

Then there's the extended blocks ala karate-type arts. Many arts consider these to be strikes in themselves.

If the timing is right and I have the chance, I prefer to slip or use evasion. But sometimes it gets a little too hairy and for safety I use the parry or even a tight block. Depends on the distance, too.

I don't do extended blocks. Just my preference. I don't like the openings they present and I think there are much better targets to attack than the arms or legs.

[Tom Yum]

Slipping moves you away from the shot and puts you at a good angle but also gives you a chance to bridge the gap for infighting, body shots and counter punch.

Parrying redirects the shot and better to do if you're tired or have slow foot work.

Blocking is the last alternative, but its not like karate blocking; you are covering the target that your opponent strikes and you roll in the same direction of the force.

[ceasarx]

I am un aware of the slip but in Jujitsu we parry while moveing out of the way or if left with no choice parry first

[Thai Bri]

I think you have to choose the quickest way possible. Extended blocks are useless against fast attacks. Ever see one used against a fast jab?

Upperbody moves (slipping and ducking etc) are fine if your good enough at them, and aren't attacked in a place so crowded you just havent got any space to move. Same for foot work.

Me? I keep a high guard and merely try to take any incoming on my forearms and elbows. But you really should be all out attacking, leaving any blocking movement at all to the other guy.

[moma_news]

But you really should be all out attacking, leaving any blocking movement at all to the other guy.

Good point Thai Bri. I agree wholeheartedly.

Upperbody moves (slipping and ducking etc) are fine if your good enough at them, and aren't attacked in a place so crowded you just havent got any space to move. Same for foot work.

Well, even if you are good at slipping and ducking, etc., you'll still get hit sometimes.

As Jack Dempsey once said to his wife,

"Honey, I forgot to duck."


That's why I like to use a combination of evasiveness & tight blocks.

Although I understand where you're coming from about the footwork, to me there's always room for footwork. Even if it's only a very small 1 inch step, it's still footwork and can help you bring some more body weight to a strike, takedown, whatever.

[Great Sage]

Well, as much as you would like to be on the offensive, at one point or another, you’re on the defensive. Defensive skills should never be overlooked.

I agree that slipping is the most sound way of defense/counter... But as I mentioned before, it’s not always there in a real fight. The perfect counter would be slipping a haymaker and landing your own. And ofcourse, mobility plays a huge role in defense.

Parrying is not a lack of slipping skill, but more about sensing your opponent. Use your hands to tie-up, trap and manipulate the opponent’s.

[darrianation]

Yes slipping is the best thing. It takes an amount of skill and very accurate timing. If done incorrectly you get hit or you can find yourself out of position to counter. Not all of us are suger ray leonard and slip with the greatest at ease. However that doesn't stop me from practicing slips with my partner and with a slip bag.

However peryying can put you in good position to counter too. Also punching off a perry can add some power. Example: Peryy with left arm or glove twisting (at the hips) body to the right, then whipping the body to the left with a right cross. Not in detail but you get the picture.