jyu ippon kumite (3 meters apart).
The only blocks as such, that I would recommend are in the first two attacks. i.e. defense from Jodan Oi-tsuki & Chudan Oi-tsuki. These rest of the attacks are kicks and I certainly would not try to get into the habit of blocking kicks! For sure, you can have some "insurance" as you move out of the line of the kick, "but don't block kicks" is drummed into us by Moley!!
In this case, I would suggest varying only the defensive blocks for the 1st two attacks and concentrating on "sabaki" for the other attacks. Trying to think which block might work against a powerful kick, will eventually get you into a world of hurt IMHO.
Lloydie
Interesting perspective Lloydie..........
...However doesn't the grading syllabus (asking a question here) actually require a "proper" blocking technique to be performed irrespective of any avoidance/sabaki..... ?
I agree that in non-grading or non grading-practice situations then it's much more effective to simply avoid and hit the attacker but it's also just as effective for the jodan/chudan puch attack as well.....
So how about outlining some of the "standard" blocks for the Jyu-Ippon Kumite Grading Syllabus attacks then ?
1) Oi-Tsuki Jodan - Step straight back with right leg and block Age-Uke Jodan - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan (or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. Uraken Jodan perhaps)
2) Oi-Tsuki Chudan - Step straight back with right leg and block Soto-Ude-Uke Chudan - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan ( or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. Chudan Empi in Kiba-Dachi perhaps)
3) Mae-Geri Chudan - Step back with right leg while pivoting at 45 degrees counter clockwise and block the inside of the kicking leg with Gedan-Barai - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan ( or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. Mae-Geri or Kizami Mae-Geri Chudan Perhaps) - for Mae-Geri Jodan I'd probably just use 5) below again.......
4) Yoko-Geri Chudan/Jodan - Step back with right leg while pivoting at 135 degrees clockwise and block the outside of the kicking leg with Soto-Ude-Uke - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan ( or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. MawashiGeri Chudan or Kizami-Tsuki Jodan Perhaps)
5) Mawashi-Geri Chudan/Jodan - Step back with right leg while pivoting at 45 degrees counter clockwise and block the inside of the kicking leg with Uchi-Ude-Uke - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan ( or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. Mae-Geri or Kizami Mae-Geri Chudan Perhaps or Kizami-Tsuki Jodan)
6) Ushiro-Geri Chudan - Step back with left leg while pivoting at 90 degrees clockwise and block the inside of the kicking leg with Gedan-Barai - counter Gyaku-Tsuki Chudan ( or whatever is most appropriate for your distance etc. e.g. MawashiGeri Chudan or Kizami-Tsuki Jodan Perhaps)
As Lloydie suggests - it's best to move such that you are not "depending" on the block but use it to cover the attack - aim to have the blocking arm just touching the attacking limb at the end of the block as this should help improve your distance judgement and leave you within good counter attack range (for your counter that is !)
I also think that it's good sometimes to "use the block" - at least enough so that you - and the attacker - feel it as it gives you (the defender) usefull feedback on whether it would have been effective - and also gives the attacker some "spirit training" and encourages you to aim to "kick through" the block (unless of course the attacker is a total-wuss(tm), in which case they will start pulling the kick, which is good news for the defender.
