when you are blocking an opponent's punches?

Question

do you look at their elbow, where it is going to move that is what is taught in win chung or do you have another technique appart from muscle memory

Answer 1

If someone throws a punch at you and you block it there is a chance they will follow through with their elbow. That is why when you block the punch you turn your self to the side and use your lead blocking hand to control the wrist and your other to control the elbow.
Also if the attackers arm is bent they could still redirect it or add more power to it.

Answer 2

I always focus on the body as a whole to determine where the attack is coming from so I can counter more easily.

instead of focusing on the shoulders or a more isolated body part like the hips, elbows, hands or feet. because if your opponent realizes that your watching certain areas, they can use that for an advantage to fake an attack and nail you with another completely unrelated attack.

Answer 3

Always look for rotational movement in your opponent's chest. My buddy who is a professional kickboxer and Golden Gloves champ has always drilled this into my head and it makes perfect sense.

When someone throws a strike (punch or kick) their torso has to rotate with the attack. Otherwise you're looking at a pretty weak strike that has no power behind it. If you focus on the center of their chest the movement is easy to catch. Plus breaking down which side (arm or leg) their planning to strike with is easy since that side of their chest should always pivot towards you. Focusing on the chest is also good if you're caught in a close range situation (i.e. clinch).

Looking at an opponent's eyes can be deceiving since someone can always feign staring at one part of your body, but then strike you at another...

Answer 4

I never pay attention to small things like that. Hip movement maybe, but fights happen so fast, you dont have time to look what elbow is pointed where. I just scafe past them and strike back. Fell more than you think. Thinking takes too much time.

Answer 5

Movements don't start at the elbow. They start closer to the core.
a) Don't fix on any 1 point, but rather scan.
b) Pay more attention to the hips & eyes.

Answer 6

The angle of the elbow may tell you what kind of punch, but not always where its going. But if it works for you.

Answer 7

You must have fast reaction, and know what the person is planning to do, think ahead, and be alert.

You can't do that, take the hit, pain only last for a while, be a man.
Next time he hits you again, tell him to hit you on the opposite side, to even it out...

Answer 8

Usually, I follow the punch right into my nose and then react!
My mom said that's why I'm cross-eyed!
-Now, if I can just get her to let me take this helmet off I'd get more chicks.

Answer 9

some people say look at there eyes cause some peoples eyes get bigger when they punch but not every bodies eyes move. look at the center of there chest you can see everything.

Answer 10

you need to "block them out" chances are if they are swinging, you are already hit. you need to sort of anticipate them from thier position and body structure and experience and strike in a manner so they can't counterpunch towards any of your vulnerable areas. (Pain areas, in a fight you will almost always get hit, unless of course you are fighting a total pansy like tom cruise or some other sissy scientologist).