Thread: sitting ducks
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Old 12-24-2003, 11:00 AM   #14
Ron Tisdale
Dojo: Doshinkan dojo in Roxborough, Pa
Location: Phila. Pa
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,615
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Quote:
What is the ideal?

During practice: Do you prefer Uke to block the atemi with hands/forearms or to move their head/body out of the way?


I've always been taught to do both when possible, block and move the target (especially if the target is the head). Both uke and nage (shite) should think in terms of levels of protection.

1) move target

2) block/redirect/parry

3) move your body/evasion

The more levels of protection you have, the better off you ususally are. I have partners whose strikes I often have trouble blocking, even drawing on my shotokan training. They're just too strong. So I almost never just stand there and block.

As to the initial question, I think your instructor knows best. Some styles of aikido don't believe in blocking at all, some do it more as a parry/redirection, some do full out blocks as well. When in Rome...

Ron

Ron Tisdale
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"The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."
St. Bonaventure (ca. 1221-1274)
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