In this video from the online course “Martial Studies: Third Person Defense”, discover the reason why blocking must be offensive in self defense.
Table of Contents
Simulation
Exercise. I step in, punch up, punch down, push and go.
This is what you’re all going to try to do, knowing that you can add other things on top of it.
I step up to the attacker’s forearm and then block with both forearms, ulnar edge and “blow” his forearm… and bicep!
Note that if you intend to really hurt your attacker, the double forearm technique is ideal. It’s up to you.
Here we are in training, the goal is not to hurt, so we use the muscular part of the forearm.
Also, we assume that the aggressor is not interested in talking, and that he simply wants to stare at his victim with his fists, so we switch to a higher level. Then, we are a little more “violent” while reacting in a proportional way to the attack.
To sum up.
First, grab the hand or forearm of your attacker. Now, you have 1 second left to react! In this exercise, I did a carotid strike and then a genital strike but you should know that these techniques are quite violent and your attacker may not get up. It is up to you to judge the situation in the moment. You can do as I have shown in this video, while being aware of the risks, or you can also give a nudge to the plexus and push your attacker away with your foot… ADAPT, it’s essential!
“All blocking are offensive”
Blocking is the most important! You have to get in the way before the attacker even has time to reach the victim. Never forget that!
To me, every blocking is offensive! In other words, if you don’t believe in what you are doing and if you only think about blocking, if your attacker attacks you hard, he already has a head start because he already knows how he can hurt you. That’s why you have to keep in mind that these are not only blocking, but rather counterattacks disguised as blocking! He is the attacker, but it’s up to you to dissuade him with a sharp blow! So, you need to have enough confidence to (counter) attack vigorously enough to take over the situation.
Thus, you need to think about attacking first before you block. In short, blocking is secondary.
If you just tell yourself, “I’m blocking,” it may not be enough. So if you see someone suspicious looking coming at you, you have to think “I’m going to destroy him”.
Depending on where he is, how he is moving, it’s up to you to decide if you really want to hurt him or if you want to push him back hard enough to have time to run away.
If your blocking is strong enough, it may push his arm away. Then, if you were thinking of grabbing him to hit him, maybe it won’t work. That’s why you need to “take the time” to observe his attitude, to analyze the impact of your strikes on the way he moves, so that you can escape.
