Kickboxing: Blocks, Parries, And Defensive Movement (From Initiation To Knockout)

Now that you have learned some offensive skills related to basic punching and kicking in other books of the Kickboxing: From Initiation To Knockout series, it's time to learn good defensive skills. A successful kickboxer must be complete in all aspects of his game, and offense cannot survive without defense, and vice versa. Defense can be broken down into three major target areas: lower body, upper body, and head. In addition, there are two parts to basic defense:

1. Blocks and parries.

2. Head and body movement.

Which part of your body you use (hand, forearm, elbow, shin) when blocking or parrying depends on the type of strike you are defending against and on your target. All blocks can be done with either the lead or rear hand (or leg). In addition, blocks can be either linear, as when meeting the strike straight, or circular, as when redirecting the path of the strike. Head and body movement can likewise be linear or circular and is determined by the type of strike you are defending against, and whether the movement is used defensively (slipping, bobbing and weaving, ducking), or offensively (jamming, gapping).

We easily get in the habit of trading blows with our opponent. But since a single properly placed punch or kick can end the fight, you should fight with forethought and safety in mind. Being overly cautious, however, and trying to avoid every strike thrown at you will never win the fight. There is a fine line between offense and defense. While you should adopt an attitude of offense, you should also keep defense in the back of your mind and use it to feed your offensive techniques.

 

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