Gig Harbor Self Defense.com

Blocking techniques can be used to intercept an attack before it reaches its point of full extension.  Once an attack is intercepted, it can then be neutralized.  The attacker can then be manipulated or controlled, and you can create the opportunity for an escape.

Some key skills involved are:

• training in various engagement points and ranges of combat
• applications of empty hand striking
• knowledge of basic joint locking

Ranges of Combat

A fighting range is conceptualized in terms of the distance between attacker and victim.   Striking tools should always be applied in the appropriate range to be effective.  This is certainly the case in intercepting a weapon attack.  Training helps us practice when (or where) to use our tools (blocking, kicking, striking, elbows, joint locking, etc) and therefore escape, achieve control or overwhelm the bad guy.

Empty Hand Striking

All self defense situations require some type of strike.  A basic understanding of striking and proper targeting help us understand both where to strike the bad guy and where we are vulnerable.  Empty hands can be very effective against weapons with the right kind of training.

Joint Locking

Some of the most effective martial arts techniques are those that target or manipulate the opponent’s joints to create injury and/or pain compliance.  Because weapons like sticks, bats, batons, machetes, and knives are hand-held weapons, the ability to lock a finger, wrist, elbow or shoulder is key to disarming the weapon and then escaping, controlling or destroying the attacker.