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5. Karate Blocking Techniques

When asked what was the secret of his team's suc­cess, a famous coach of a championship pro football team replied, "the best offense is a good defense." In other words, he believed in keeping the other team from scoring touchdowns, and assembled the greatest array of defensive stars the league ever saw. His theory was to keep the opposing team from his goal line, hoping that sooner or later the breaks would come his way. In Karate too self-defense plays a major role. The true Karate devotee doesn't want trouble; he doesn't seek it in any shape, man­ner or form. By the same token, courtesy and polite­ness should not be misconstrued as timidity and fear. The Karate man prefers to prevent or block an antagonist's attack, rather than provoke one. With this in mind, let us describe a number of defensive moves against any aggressive action by anybody:

Defense Against a Right Hand Blow

You can parry a right cross, a roundhouse blow or a hook to the chin by slashing up and at a sharp angle with the outer edge of your hand. In this way you are able to deflect the blow in mid-air. You then follow thru with an offensive thrust of your own. (See Fig. 65)

Defense Against a Straight Jab

To defend yourself against a straight jab, bend your body back and to the side, away from the punch. At the same time, parry with your open hand to catch your opponent's fist. This will take the steam out of his jab. (See Fig. 66)

Defense Against an Upper Cut

Your opponent wants to end it quick. He's aiming at your chin ... a quick, clean knockout. You have no time to lose, less time to think. Split-second ac­tion is called for. You have to defend yourself against an almost certain K.O. Move your head to the right or away from the uppercut; this will reduce the chances of a direct hit on the vulnerable part of your chin. At the same time slash downward with your hand or arm at your opponent's arm or wrist. You have "caught" the blow—on your arm—not the chin. (See Fig. 67)

Defense Against a High Straight Punch

A bully or wise guy who is much taller than you has lots of confidence, most of it false. He's living in a fool's paradise. He thinks that because he towers over you, he can defeat you with one high straight jab—and then go home to watch the Late Show on television. Let him try it. You are ready. As he throws his punch, you bend your body back and to the side and parry the blow with your open hand. You have deflected the blow cleanly. The bully's pride is hurt—and that isn't all. You follow thru with an offensive thrust of your own, and your tormenter is licking his wounds! (See Fig. 68)

Defense Against a Left Hook

Your opponent delivers a left hook—and it has your jaw written on it. But you can intercept the blow if your natural reflexes are sharpened and honed by Karate practice and conditioning. Remember, your first line of defense is your natural reflex. As a serious student of Karate, you will be amazed how almost automatically—as if your opponent's punch hit a radar warning screen—you bend your head to the side and back and slash up and right at an angle. You have cushioned the blow with the side of your hand or forearm. Soon your opponent will need a cushion—to rest his battered face after you counterattack! (See Fig. 69)

Defense Against a Right Fist

It's Tuesday or Wednesday, but your opponent is not waiting to deliver his Sunday punch. He uncorks a corking right. You ward off the blow by grasping his wrist with your left hand or slashing up and left and striking with the side of your hand or forearm. You've taken his Sunday best. Now you retaliate and knock him into the middle of next week! (See Fig. 70)

Defense Against a Low Right Hook

Your opponent tries to use psychology to jog your physiognomy. He's a Rhodes scholar, but strictly from the road! This cunning codger wants to outfox you. So he feints with a high left, to throw you off guard, and comes in with a low right hook. This is a tough one to defend because you must outwit or anticipate the strategy. What should you do? Defend against the high left or the low right hook? An unwritten law in Karate is to play it smart and safe . . . you defend against both blows! Yes, as he feints with the left, you raise your right hand to cover your face. When the "surprise" right comes your way, you slash down on his wrist with the outer edge of your left hand, but hard! Even if you can't stop both blows, you will have slowed down the impact at least.

Defense Against a Kick

Your opponent has a kick—and it's coming your way. He sends a mean left foot to your groin. How do you defend? Quickly you swing the fist of your left hand diagonally downward to deflect the kick. (See Fig. 72)

Defense Against Attack to the Face

A very successful defense against an attack to the face or stomach is called the X-Defense. You can block upwards against an attack, or downward to defend against a blow to your groin.

The X-Defense is so named because the arms form an X  (see illustration). This is comparatively easy to master. Remember to leave your hands open; this gives you an opportunity to grasp your opponent's wrist or thumbs in a counterattack. Then you can use the X to mark the spot where your foe will drop—kar-plunk! (See Fig. 73)

Peek-A-Boo Defense Against Two Fisted Attack

Occasionally a foe might try to overpower you with a double fisted attack, or try to grab your coat lapels and throw you to the ground. A good block­ing technique against this aggression is called the Peek-A-Boo defense. You put up both fists in front of your face, knuckles pointed outward, elbows should be pointed downward. You peek over the fists. In this way, your adversary has a small, con­centrated target to shoot at—yet you are able to observe his every move. (See Fig. 74)

Hook Defense Against a Blow to the Ear

Your opponent likes to box things, especially your ears. He throws a sharp overhead left to the side of your head. A quick and easy defense is called the Hook Defense. You bend your right elbow sharply and swing the forearm back with your wrist almost cupping your ear. You have successfully thwarted the overhead punch with your wrist. You then seize your foe's upper sleeve and yank downward. Follow thru with a left smash to the face or solar plexus. (See Fig. 75)

Sweep Defense Against a Back Handed Jab

Here is a relatively easy defense that requires a minimum of energy. Your enemy tries to strike you with a back handed fist; you quickly sweep aside the blow with your palm or wrist. He's thrown off balance, and you're ready to throw him for a loop. (See Fig. 76)

Sweep Down Defense Against Blow to Groin

Your opponent tries to strike you in the stomach or groin. The correct defense is the Sweep Down Block. Similar to the Sweep Defense mentioned previously except that the opponent's hand is pressed or swept downward and away. (See Fig. 77)

Scoop Defense Against a Leg Attack

You face your foe. He sends a leg thrust toward your groin. You use the Scoop Defense to stop it. Briefly, you scoop the leg in mid-air and jerk it up, away from the target. The enemy is thrown off balance. (See Fig. 78)

Sleeve Defense Against a General Attack

In Karate you must take every fair advantage at your disposal. The Sleeve Defense is simple but an effective blocking technique. Seize your adversary's coat lapel, sleeve, tie, shirt, etc. and divert the full force of his thrust, thereby helping to throw him off balance. (See Fig. 79)

Punch Defense Against a General Attack

In the Punch Defense you kill two birds with one stone. You defend against your opponent's blow and you reciprocate with an attack yourself. With one movement you ward off the punch with the outside part of your arm, and smack your foe on the jaw bone. (See Fig. 80)

Heel of Palm Defense Against Sneak Attack

Here you use the heel of your palm to block a sneak attack from a heel. Usually the sudden attack is directed to your face or solar plexus. Shift your palm from the side, downward or upward—but stop the blow! (See Fig. 81)

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