DISCUSSION

1. Target Movement vs. Blocking: The core defensive principle is to prioritize moving the target (your body) over blocking. Blocks may fail if they are initiated too late or against a stronger force. Even one inch of target movement can change the outcome. Rotating the body forty-five degrees redirects the force immediately and reduce its impact by 50%. If you keep your hands busy simply blocking, the aggressor faces no threat and therefore has less reason to stop or hesitate.
2. Relaxation and Breathing to Create Space: Use exhalation and rib-cage “hollowing” to create internal space, like a balloon, reducing the transmission of impact. Relax the chest and shoulders so that force can dissipate rather than being resisted directly.
3. Perpendicular vs Parallel Target Surfaces: If the target surface is parallel to the incoming line of force (for example, the direction of a straight punch), the impact is minimized. Avoid presenting surfaces perpendicular to the incoming force, as that will maximize its impact. Never offer an easy surface that is perpendicular to the incoming hit.
4. Door-Stopper Principle: Aside from finding space from within your own body, a secondary contact to help misguide or stop the incoming force (“door jam/door stopper”) before yielding space, prevents the attacker from continuously occupying any retreat or space you give up.
5. Staying Upright and Situational Safety: At this point, you are a long way from doing ground fighting. Therefore, stay on your feet and avoid going to the ground, especially when facing multiple opponents. Being on the ground severely limits your mobility and can increase the risk considerably.
6. Rotation and Choice of Axes: Most people assume by default that all rotations should have the axis at the center. In combat, however, we may choose a horizontal or vertical axis. Aside from the central vertical line, we can also place the axis at the rear shoulder or through the front shoulder. Do you recall that for some of the wrist escapes, we rotate the arm around a horizontal axes through the wrist?
   You should also avoid turning from the waist only without support from the hips. While turning from the waist does increase upper-body power as oppose to using only arms, you gain greater structural power when you use the hips together with the rest of the body.
7. Diaphragm, Rib Cage, and Spinal Mobility: Train diaphragm lowering, rib cage folding and expansion, and spinal mobility to generate protective “hollow” and structural adaptability; coordinate head turns without counter-rotations.

SKILLS & SCENARIOS

Taking impacts and guard

1. Practice changing the surface angle to approximately forty-five degrees against a partner throwing a slow, straight punch. Prioritize breathing and body movement over blocking.Drill “guard as insurance”: keep your hands up, but focus on evasive movement first.Relaxation and Breathing to Create Space:
2. Exhale to create internal space using the “balloon” analogy.
3. Relax the chest and create space around the neck rather than tensing or compressing the area.
4. Do not tense or curl the shoulders. Instead, focus on movement through the spine.

Rib cage “folding” technique

1. Rounding the back/spine can create space. However, there are situations where this is not possible—for example, when your back is against a wall, when your back is already stretched and arched, or when you are lying on the ground.
2. Exhaling creates internal space, allowing you to avoid rebounding when you are cornered.
3. When there is no physical space available (e.g., when you are against a wall), exhalation and rib-cage “hollowing” create internal space. Relaxation reduces the transmission of force. Like a deflated basketball, a yielding surface prevents rebound and reduces impact. A relaxed chest also reduces the transmission of force.

Guard Stance and Angles: By default, you should maintain an offset stance so that one side is leading. Keep the shoulders and hips aligned over the feet along a diagonal line, so that you are not facing your opponent squarely.

Both elbows should be bent to approximately ninety degrees relative to the upper arms. Keep your fingers pointing outward toward your opponent.

Tuck your chin so that your forehead is forward—not your nose or chin. Avoid allowing the elbows to flare outward, both to protect the ribs and to maintain readiness.

Grip Release and Localization of Force: For overhand grips, localize your resistance against the smallest part of his body that you can effectively influence, in this case the thumb.

When you point your fingers, direct them toward his forearm rather than toward an area where he has enough space to move.

Apply the weight of your body and elbow rather than relying on arm strength. Avoid fighting directly against his larger muscle groups or body weight.

HOME EXERCISES

Breath out and hollow: Stand with your back against a wall. Exhale and “hollow” the chest/rib cage to create space without moving your feet or shoulders. Place your fingers on your chest to feel the movement of the rib cage. Your range of motion will increase over time.

Guard: Practice picking up your guard from a natural standing position. Check the angle of your body, arm angles, muscular tension, finger position, head position, chest tension, etc.

Projection: The power of the mind was demonstrated during class. Practice it daily because it is one of the most neglected assets you probably have never tapped into.

Establish your cardio and muscle baseline: While we favor effortless strategies and techniques, you do need a certain degree of fitness to be able to protect yourself and others. This includes being physically capable of handling simple but demanding situations, such as carrying an injured child to safety.

SIDE NOTES

Arrive slightly early when possible—around 15 minutes—to warm up. Warm up the spine, shoulders, legs, and hips.

Class notes are usually ready by Sunday evening. Jot down any questions and, when possible, ask them before class.