Blocks/Dodges

[Lizard]

In a real fight a hit is more likely to do damage than a hit in a competition, an untrained opponent will probably hit slower than someone in a competition and some people won't hit as much as they would in a competition. I believe that defense is more important in a real fight than in a competition. I know from my own expirience that blocks can be VERY useful in a real fight. Example, once someone started pushing me around and I just couldn't take anymore, without thinking I hit him with a straight punch to the nose, I think everything went into slow motion because it was some time before I decided to hit again, I did a sort of backhand with the same hand (it had gone inwards after the hit), then he started trying to punch me, I blocked most of his punches, I think one hit. The fight ended when he walked away crying. His nose was bleeding. At that time I had never done any kind of striking martial art and yet I still blocked effectively.

[Typhoon]

Although I think defense can help, I believe that best defense is offence, if you can end the fight fast by attacking do so...

[Lizard]

That appears to be the philosophy of Muay Thai. I agree but if someone goes for a punch and you see it coming you may as well try to block it as long as you don't become obsessed with defence. You can win a fight by just attacking, if you just defend you can only ever draw, no matter how good you are.

[yenhoi]

Blah blah blah.

[Lizard]

yenhoi. That isn't helpful or interesting. It isn't even funny. If anything on this forum desrved deletion it is that. Why do people write such pointless posts?

[darrianation]

I think in a street fight you really have to get aggressive. This means getting in there and punching straight punches are the best. If he closes range then go to elbows and knees. If he grabs and you’re comfortable in the clinch then go for it.

One thing I learned in the military and I think the best advice I have had, is to punch fast and furiously for as long as you can. The drill we would do was the 15 second drill. Punch the heavy bag as hard and fast as you can for 15 seconds. We would work up to 30 seconds. If the encounter lasted longer than that (opponent is still standing) then it was time to disengage and get out of there.

Also you could add elbows and knees to the above drill too. Just remember any thing can happen in a real fight and there is no guaranteed technique or strategy. However training will go along way.

[darrianation]

Of course shin kicks to the bad guys legs are still my favorite!

[Szczepankiewicz]

Yenhoi makes a good point.

You can be agressive all you like. Just have a damned good attorney.

[jukado1]

blocking

lizard: if you have to block you block! but if you block you've allowed your oppenent to have an advantage, your first choice is to control the distance and as your oppenent closes distance, you hit him, if you can't totaly control the distance, try to slip, or bob and weave and similtanious strike as slipping or bob and weave are faster then blocking!! to test this out stand in front of a partner and have them hit at you and you try to block, then try the same attacks, but put your hands behind you and try to move your body to not get hit, good luck,, train hard, train smart.

[darrianation]

The bob and weave is not all that simple unless you train at it, And Spanky does have a point but when someone attacks you the last thing on your mind is where’s my lawyer?

The best thing is to not be in the situation in the first place. But if you are, then unload. Don’t finesse him just get down to business. Don’t let him get the upper hand. The fight is won or lost in the first couple of seconds so if you are in a bad situation and cant talk your way out don’t hesitate, get in there and finish him.

[ceasarx]

I think blocking is a great idea. it stops you from getting hit after all. I do agree that noone should become obsessed with just sitting back and blocking but it doesnt hurt to work on your blocks and counters

[darrianation]

There is nothing wrong with training to bob, weave and block. That stuff is great for competition and can work on the street too, but remember the mentality in a street fight is different from that of competition. You shouldn’t fight a street fight with the same mentality and strategy that you would use in the ring. Hey it might work for you but that doesn’t change the fact that the real world isn’t a ring and things that work there might not and often don’t work in the real world.

You have to keep it simple and functional, a basic strategy that you don’t have to focus on in the heat of the moment. Don’t just throw a punch stop, kick back and watch what he’s gonna’ do then wait for him to make a move and then counter. This would be a mistake. I have seen some decent fighters and Karatakas loose fights because they acted like it was a sparring session or a tournament. They will be trying to take your head off, and you should be giving it back in kind and them some.

I mostly train to stay in shape and to keep my skills half way decent. I also practice street confrontations. By exploding with every thing I have into my heavy bag with straight punches, elbows, knees, and head butts I also do low kicks, eye jabs and rakes. I don’t worry about blocks, just unrelenting attack. Blazing speed, cat like swiftness and explosive aggression! However try not to get tunnel vision you still need to be aware of what else is going on around you.

Also this doesn’t mean to keep pummeling him after he has gone down, or chase him down the street and continue to kick his ass after he has tried to run away. Now you’re talking legal trouble.

I am not the most experienced street fighter in the world, but I have been in a few and I’ve witnessed several. There is no one-way. No perfect cut out or mold. What works for me may not work for you. This is just my take on it and it does work. I personally need a little more ground fighting skills and then I’m good to go. Just remember don’t fight a street fight like you would spar in the dojo or the ring you are just setting your self up for failure.

[ceasarx]

Remember this as the old bushido mentality. one block one strike one kill. this is an old and wise approach to practical fighting. If this doesnt work kickem in the nuts and punch them in the face.

[Lizard]

one block one strike one kill? That doesn't work. The guy who thought of that is most likely dead by now. A more practical version might be: Block if you see the opportunity, strike as many times as possible, don't kill.

[brokenelbow]

If you mean Ichi-go; ichi-e, it translates more to one encounter; one chance.