Slip, Parry or Block?

[CHOKE UK]

Originally posted by 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.

IN my opinion, this is bang on.
There are many good answers in these posts.
But broken-elbow, I think the kind of body movement you describe is somewhat different from the kickboxing type of movement. As mentioned above.
Karate may use an avoidance position but primarily the arms are relied on to actively block.
This is different upperbody movement and taking shots on the arms, elbows etc.
I am not criticing,
purely stating a fact that there is a fundermental difference,
that I think is not clear.
I have tried using karate blocks in full contact,
but I wouldnt recommend it !

[Lizard]

How far should you move your head when you slip? And what movement if any does the body make? I wasn't taught slips in Muay Thai but I did do one lesson of Chinese Kickboxing in which I lernt slips, leans and rolls.

[Great Sage]

Lizard, here's a slipping method — Free of charge.

To slip inside a left jab: Step inside with your left foot while bending slightly at the waist and knees. Your head should be directly over your left knee while the incoming punch glides over your right shoulder. WATCH OUT for the cross!

NEWS FLASH: This doesn't work well in Muay Thai as you may end up with a knee to the chin or an elbow to the head.

[CHOKE UK]

Chinese kickboxing is slightly different.

To explain is very difficult, it is difficult enough to show someone.

I have demonstrated to my kids 100's of times and they still dont get it !

But in your thai boxing which guard do you use a tight guard or the ready to clinch style.

The latter does lead you open to shots,
but at the first chance, the idea is to clinch, with the elbows on chest / back of neck lock and get the knees pumping.

Even in full contact, the clinch is desirable, but not at the expence of being punched, as in the classical style.

And in full contact elbows are not allowed,
however this does-not mean they are not,
taught, practiced and used !
There are ways to "accidently" use it !

Another defence technique that is used that i personally have not seen in karate, is the use of catching the opponents kicks !
Can be very dangerous to try and catch a thai boxers kick if you dont know what you are doing !

[Lizard]

I use the tight stance because 1) I prefer to strike at a distance than to clinch and 2) because it protects me more when someone on the street tries to punch me. But recently I have been growing to appreciate knees more, they are a powerfull short range move that most people don't have any idea how to defend. That's why I like Muay Thai, it's powerful and aggressive and yet still manages to use moves that the average guy on the street can't defend eg. Low kicks, spinning back elbows, knee shields.

[Lizard]

The slip still feels awkward. Do I step directly inwards with my left foot or slighty forwards? Should I trun my head? Should my arms stay where they are in relation to my body? When you lean do you keep both hands up or do you lower your left hand? I think playing the Rocky game is giving me bad boxing habits...

[platinum_angel]

i think trapping is pretty effective as well.

[darrianation]

Originally posted by Lizard
How far should you move your head when you slip? And what movement if any does the body make? I wasn't taught slips in Muay Thai but I did do one lesson of Chinese Kickboxing in which I lernt slips, leans and rolls.

An old boxing saying-"Better to make them miss by an inch than a mile". Move your head just enough to make them miss. You should feel the air off their glove as it passes your ear. The idea is after you make them miss you should still be in range to counter.

[darrianation]

Originally posted by Lizard
The slip still feels awkward. Do I step directly inwards with my left foot or slighty forwards? Should I trun my head? Should my arms stay where they are in relation to my body? When you lean do you keep both hands up or do you lower your left hand? I think playing the Rocky game is giving me bad boxing habits...

Practice, practice, and practice some more. Have a freind/partner slowly punch at your chin (slow and with control) don't move your feet just tilt your head to the side as the punch comes in, I raise my shoulder slightly so if I screw up the timing I take the punch or at least part of it on my shoulder. As your timing gets better you can have your partner go faster and faster.

Also watch for flinching. Don't flinch. this is a good drill for flinching too. Also if the blow glances the side of your face or ear don't be worried about it the slip is to prevent you from taking a solid puch to the chin while allowing you to fire back.

Also get a slip bag if you don't have one and use it (double end bag). Jab at it as it snaps forward and back again slip it. As you get better hit harder and harder. As you slip it and the bag is traveling back away from you punch again (counter).

And did I say practice? It will become less awkward with time.

[darrianation]

Oh yea always counter!

[Toudiyama[NL]]

Japanese martial arts (maybe more asian arts) are more upright than western arts therefore you won't see a weaving motion of the upper body but there are several karate styles that do not rely on sheer power during the blocks
Nagashi uke is one of the estinquished techniques of Wado Karate(here I go again) in yakusoku(prearranged) kumite all blocks are of a sliding variant, not being there is less destructive to your own body and is done by body movement and footwork, most of the time the arm just blocks to be on the safe side
My teacher would compare it to a spanish bullfighter evading the attack from the bull

In Ashihara a strait punch to the face would be blocked by a fast small circular move(horizontal circle) of the lead hand together with slipping backwards

(sniff sniff, why don't people believe me when I say karate has it all )

[darrianation]

Toudiyama[NL]

"My teacher would compare it to a spanish bullfighter evading the attack from the bull".

I like that analogy. I have been trying to discribe the differences between Shotokan and Wado to my freind who is a Shotokan instructor (he has never heared of Wado). I will use this.

[Thai Bri]

A Shotokan instructor that has never heard of Wado? Thats like a car driver thats never heard of a motor bike.

Back to topic. I remember one training method re the slip. One person puts a hankerchief on the floor, and has to keep his lead foot opn it no matter what. The other tries to smack him in the chops. Obviously they start easy, and only up the level when the defender is ready.

[darrianation]

Well Get this Bri, his instructor is a 4th dan and he has never heard of Wado either. Yea I was supprised too.

[darrianation]

Well okay the senior guy had heard of it but knows nothing about it.