Karate Lessons - The Way to Self-Mastery

By Spioros Arena

Blocking techniques are essential to karate and are always included in karate lessons. Some of these important techniques are explained below. It is not the Karate man's intent to look for trouble, so if he can act defensively and block a blow, he will do so willingly.

Defense Against a Low Right Hook
This cunning opponent wants to outfox you. So he feints with a high left, to throw you off guard, and comes in with a low right hook. This is a tough one to defend because you must outwit or anticipate the strategy. What should you do? Defend against the high left or the low right hook? An unwritten law in Karate is to play it smart and safe... you defend against both blows! Yes, as he feints with the left, you raise your right hand to cover your face. When the "surprise" right comes your way, you slash down on his wrist with the outer edge of your left hand, but hard! Even if you can't stop both blows, you will have slowed down the impact at least.

Defense Against a Kick
Your opponent has a kick-and it's coming your way. He sends a mean left foot to your groin. How do you defend? Quickly you swing the fist of your left hand diagonally downward to deflect the kick.

Defense Against Attack to the Face
A very successful defense against an attack to the face or stomach is called the X-Defense. You can block upwards against an attack, or downward to defend against a blow to your groin.

The X-Defense is so named because the arms form an X. This is comparatively easy to master. Remember to leave your hands open; this gives you an opportunity to grasp your opponent's wrist or thumbs in a counterattack.

Peek-A-Boo Defense Against Two Fisted Attack
Occasionally a foe might try to overpower you with a double fisted attack, or try to grab your coat lapels and throw you to the ground. A good blocking technique against this aggression is called the Peek-A-Boo defense. You put up both fists in front of your face, knuckles pointed outward, elbows should be pointed downward. You peek over the fists. In this way, your adversary has a small, concentrated target to shoot at-yet you are able to observe his every move.

Hook Defense Against a Blow to the Ear
Your opponent likes to box things, especially your ears. He throws a sharp overhead left to the side of your head. A quick and easy defense is called the Hook Defense and is generally studied in karate lessons. You bend your right elbow sharply and swing the forearm back with your wrist almost cupping your ear. You have successfully thwarted the overhead punch with your wrist. You then seize your foe's upper sleeve and yank downward. Follow through with a left smash to the face or solar plexus.

Sweep Defense Against a Back Handed Jab
Here is a relatively easy defense that requires a minimum of energy. Your enemy tries to strike you with a back handed fist; you quickly sweep aside the blow with your palm or wrist. He's thrown off balance, and you're ready to throw him for a loop.

Sweep Down Defense Against Blow to Groin
Your opponent tries to strike you in the stomach or groin. The correct defense is the Sweep Down Block. Similar to the Sweep Defense mentioned previously except that the opponent's hand is pressed or swept downward and away.

Scoop Defense Against a Leg Attack
You face your foe. He sends a leg thrust toward your groin. You use the Scoop Defense to stop it. Briefly, you scoop the leg in mid-air and jerk it up, away from the target. The enemy is thrown off balance.

Sleeve Defense Against a General Attack
In Karate you must take every fair advantage at your disposal. The Sleeve Defense is simple but an effective blocking technique. Seize your adversary's coat lapel, sleeve, tie, shirt, etc. and divert the full force of his thrust, thereby helping to throw him off balance.

Pay close attention during Karate lessons, know these techniques and you will be successful more often than not.

Learn The Karate Secrets To Defend Yourself With Speed And Skill Like The Legend, Bruce Lee.
For More Training Visit: http://www.karatesecrets.org

----------------------------------------------------------

For more information on ways to use Karate for Self-Mastery, see www.bestmartialartsource.com.