shin blocks

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Countering Attack

Darrination

You should always try to set up a counter strike against an attacking strike.
One thing you have to be carefull about when stepping forward while shin blocking is to make sure you have a strong head guard or you will walk onto his follow up punch or knee.
Dont attack with one hit, always try to redirect his thoughts by kicking low while boxing high or vice versa.
A good counter while blocking with the rear leg is the jumping cross punch:
Block leg kick with rear leg outwards then without putting foot on floor push foot backwards while the rear punching hand goes forwards (like a see-saw) this can be done in a defensive way hoping backwards while punch goes forwards (takes practice).
Or this from front:
When blocking with front leg outwards do a fast switch kick straight after block with same leg (dont put foot flat on floor only tips of toes for speed).
The only fault with this counter is your sometimes attacking his outer side (back area) so aim across the back of his legs or back of his head for more damage.
When you counter with a knee strike (in the gym), after kneeing get the pad man to swing the pad like a wide hook but with his arm straight swung at your head so you have to do the elbow defence (elbow raises up to point forward & hand points backward other arm pushes into his face) to protect your guard & sets you up to defend against a counter against your knee (do this all the time & it becomes second nature).

[darrianation]

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Punch high kick low has always been one of my mottos. You could say it’s my middle name lol.

There are a lot of counters from the leg block position. Thank you for mentioning more of them. I particularly like the front leg block/switch kick, but I often find my self to close so instead of the round kick I use a knee. Maybe I’m stepping forward and not realizing it. I’ll pay more attention to this. Do you think it would help if I step slightly back during the switching? I haven’t tried doing that. I’ll try it and see if I can make it work.

I do the lead leg switch kick right behind a jab quite a lot, but not to often from the lead leg block. I’ve always called it the sliding kick though. I jab to the face to disguise my back foot sliding up (to get range) then round kick with the lead leg (I usually do a low inside kick, works well).

The particular counter I talked about previously- “When blocking with the shin you can set up another strike with it. Say your opponent throws a back leg round kick. You block with your left shin. You push his leg back by stepping down slightly forward and to the left as his kick hits. Setting up a back leg round kick of your own to his support leg.” If done right your opponent’s leg should be pushed back and outward. He should be off balance and in a slightly awkward position momentarily, He shouldn’t be able to follow up. If he does his follow up will be weak and wont cause any damage. This technique usually gets me in close (if he hasn’t retreated) and if I’m quick enough I can get the clinch. If not I’ll throw the elbow or some other punch (a hook is good too). Yes always protect your chin!!!

I always appreciate advice from someone who I think knows his shit.

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Yes agreed darrination but be carefull with the forward momentum block as you take a lot of impact & his possible followup, if your to close with the front switch kick/block try bringing it down on the outer part of his thigh muscle striking with the upper part of your shin or of course your knee, or take a slight side step & stamp your standing leg while bending it to cut in nice & low.

A good one is if he commits himself to a strong left jab you parry it to your right with your left hand (closing him up) then reach out with your right hand as if crossing but go past the right side of his head (you can get here with an elbow instead) & scoop it around his head (so your thumb is down) then pull the back of his neck towards & down as you stretch your right leg back & drive it back into his face as a knee.

Another nice one is if he throws a big left hook do the elbow tuck defence with your right hand (make sure chin down) & strike his left collar bone with your left hand then where your left hand is on his shoulder just scoop it around his neck as above and pull him down & drive the left switch knee into his face/ribs.

[darrianation]

Sweet!

These are some good techniques. I like the left hook defense to the clinch/switch knee. I usually do the right hook with this. Always good to add more weapons to the arsenal.
I’ve been practicing the lead leg block switch kick on my bag and distance has been fine as long as step strait down.

I really like the back leg block jumping cross punch. I’ve seen fighters use it but one of the things I never practiced or used much. I practiced this on my bag as well and it’s a great punch I was amazed how easy it was and I got some good hits on the bag. Next will be with my sparing partner.

One of my favorite counters against a teep especially if he’s reaching is a hook block (lead hand). Slide back ½ step hook block (lead hand) knock the teep to the outside then back leg chop kick. I know you can hook block ( inside) a round kick too, but I don’t make a habit of doing that. I know you probably know this one (pretty basic) but someone else might find it useful.

Keep it real!

[Aaska]

I usually try to block with my knee so that my opponent's shin gets damaged.

However, blocking with a knee doesn't always occur.

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Yes Darrination.
You can also block to opposite sides (you dont block outwards but across your firing line) so if you both have your left leg forwards & he does a switch left leg turning kick, you bring your left leg across to the right to meet his attacking leg (you may need slight forward momentum) & as you clash (at this moment you need to watch for his right cross/hook as your left leg touches floor) & either jam him with your left arm push or better raise it into elbow defence, then from this position if you've managed to cut your distance raise your right foot slightly off ground (to assist in spin) as you attack with the reverse spinning elbow with your right arm.

One other technique that uses your instep (the only time i know of) is to attack his front leg with a slap to the inside of the leg using your front leg hitting half way up from knee which causes a stinging sensation & can be used fast to distract him while following up with something else (can give dead leg as well & it hurts more than a good shin kick to thighs), some people especially kickboxers use this to start their jumping spinning back kick from opposite leg or side kick from same leg.

Hook blocking a round kick if i think what you mean is:
both stand with left leg forward, he turning kicks you with right leg, you side step to right putting more weight onto right leg & bending it more & you turn your upper body away from kick so it goes towards your back, at same time you circle your left arm over the top of the attacking leg & lock it under your arm.
from here you can turn your upper body back to face the leg now in your grasp & (in self defence) do a downward elbow straight onto the knee joint, or in a fight:
1. kick away the leg he's standing on.
2. stretch out your right hand onto him & push him away so he starts to lose his balance (he will struggle to attack from here).
3. as above but when you push him away you then scoop your right hand around his neck & pull him onto the right knee you drive into his face/chest (you may need to release leg at this moment).