for everyone who does a martial art.?

Question

my instructor says that taekwondo's blocking is not apropiate as it only matches strenghth with stregnth, and if the oppnent is stronger than it will hurt, he uses aikido and win chung in his style, as he says that taekwondo you see is quite boring as they do kickd and punches
is this the right method and we do itf tkd

Answer 1

it's not a question of which method is right or wrong, but which one works in the circumstance, if the opponent is bigger or stronger, then you have to work from a better strategy than going toe to toe or match strength to strength with them.

While Tae Kwon Do has it's own strength in it's blocking abilities but it also has it's weaknesses, and he is right about matching strength to strength, but the basis of blocking is to deflect the strike by your opponent and redirect it to create an opening for a counter strike of your own.

since he also studies Aikido, which uses the opponents strength to your advantage, he also knows that the redirection of the attack works into a joint lock or a pain compliance technique that you can lessen the blow from the opponent other than blocking their strike directly, but it requires timing and knowledge of how the mechanics of the techniques work.

most of the techniques employed by Aikido and Hapkido work from the fingers and wrist area, because it falls into place once you know the proper placement of your hand to theirs, and then they also have to work with the rest of the body mechanics to pull off the throw.

the main reason for all the kicking and punching drills is to build the techniques to perfect them to the best of the student's ability.

because if you don't learn how to perform the technique properly, you wind up doing more harm to yourself than good, and helping your opponent to win.

Answer 2

That is the problem with too many instructors, they are so caught up in one idea that they can't or won't see the value of other skills. Appropriate is a matter of circumstance. There are times when it it better to block force on force and times when it is better to redirect. Personally...I tend to use Force on force blocking as a means of attack...instead of blocking the wirst I strike...gives the impression of having put more power into the block than was actually used. Injures the opponene, and makes them hesitant , giving an opening for your own counter attack. But that is only useful in some situations...other times it i sbetter to redirect the oponents force and send them into a wall, door, or other nearby object, or just to get them off balance and move yourself to a more advantageous position.

The more techniques you have...the more you hve to use...IF the instructor has preperly prepared you for that use...after 33 years I have found that all too often people are not a prepared to use their skills as they need to be....

While in Aikido, or Wing Chun the use of force on force is not appropriate, in other styles it is...and there are situatin where it may be necessary....it is mostly a matter of knowing which situations are which....

Answer 3

There are some good answers here. It is a case of what works in any given situation as opposed to right or wrong. I have seen that when and instructor is maybe getting older and sees that his style needs to change because he doesn't have the power that he used to, or that in his practice he sees these blocks as not as effective for him as using redirection. In Goju Ryu karate we use both force on force and redirecting blocks. The force on force blocks are done in a way that they are actually striking the incoming arm and causing the opponent pain, which may make the opponent hesitate in attacking as he knows he will be punished with more pain each time he attacks. The redirecting blocks often move into joint locks or breaks in addition to simply preventing you from being hit.

I would recommend that you learn both. The more tools you have in your toolbox the better equipped you are to handle any particular situation.

Answer 4

Either he knows nothing about Tae Kwon Do or is dissembling. While we doe use hard blocks, we deflect rather than stop the strike. If he is really knowledgeable about MA, he should know that it is not just about strength, but technique, focus & target selection.

As to the aesthetics of TKD vs wing chun, that is a matter of personal preference. I prefer watching kicks to watching punches.

Answer 5

I box and when I block or parry a punch often times it I still get hit to a degree and sometimes even a blocked punch really hurts but a hell of a lot less than it would have if it got through unmolested. But yes dodging punches is more effective but requires you to use more energy and personally as a heavy weight I would rather take a few tags than gas out and have no sting left in my own punches.

Answer 6

TKD blocks have there limitation, but...in my opinion (just an opinion) it isnt the blocks that are not to be used, it how you use them. ..I will leave that to the pondering

I give you an example, Picture the biggest dude you know, he throws a serious punch at your head,....Look at your arm,...do you think just your arm will be able to stop him, I would look into how to place your balance, your body, your center...you think about it, being a smaller person than the oppenent you will want to find ways to use ever part of your body, not just the block itself.

Answer 7

yes TQD blocks are your strength vs theirs

they dont really have to be bigger to be stronger either

but anyways...ugh i just started on yahoo answers tonight i have found myself saying this in nearly ALL my answers

try isshinryu

and learn counters not just blocks

somtimes the best block is jujitsu grapples

if they punch for ur chest step out of the way and *lead* thier arm on past you

they may fall then leaving them open for a good hit (namely to lungs)

Answer 8

Seriously boxing have the best block for punches and Muay Thai have the best blocks for kicks.

Answer 9

can ur insructor even fight? if he cant, which it sounds like he cant, i wud not listen to a thing he says, the boxer answered the question best, to many people out there study self defense without ever knowing a thing about how to apply it, crazy stuff, and people pay for it, i dont blame the students they want to train and learn, its the insructors that blow it for everybody

Answer 10

TAEKWONDO ROCKS!!(sorry for shouting)

taekwondo may not be the best but it's good!