1)

Any maneuver used defensively which uses contact, position, the environment, and/or environmental object(s) to redirect, cushion, terminate, restrain, check, obstruct, prevent, thwart, or avoid any offensive maneuver.

2)

Any obstruction or cause of obstruction which is designed to impede the progress of, passage of, hinder, create difficulties for, or stand in the way of. A blockade.

Inflected Form(s):

Blocking (adjective), Blocks (plural)

Comments:

1)

In layman's terms, a block is a generic term for any measure used to stop a blow.

Blocks are most commonly employed as a reactive response, rather than a pro-active maneuver.

Blocks can be either executed with the upper (Arms and Hands) or lower (Legs and Feet) extremities.

Blocks can be broken down into the following categories:

a.Striking (hand and arm / foot and leg)

b.Positioned

c.Pinning

d.Specialized

Physical contact during the execution of a block can occur:

a.when force meets force (Striking)

b.when force goes with force (Parrying)

c.when force meets a neutral force (Positioned)

d.when a neutral force meets a neutral force (Pinning)

Striking Blocks:

Striking Blocks always employ force against force, against a weapon in flight, without the intent to cause injury.

Striking Blocks typically create an Angle of Deflection, but this is not a requirement.

Parrying Blocks:

Parrying Blocks always employ force against force, against a weapon in flight, without the intent to cause injury, using riding motion.

Positioned Blocks:

Positioned Blocks are more commonly referred to as covers - which anticipate motion.

Pinning Blocks:

Pinning Blocks are more commonly referred to as checks - which prevent motion.

See the blocks in basics for more information on blocking.

See Defensive Reaction for more information on defensive options

2)

See Blockade.

Opposite(s):

1)

Angle of Avoidance

2)

See Blockade.

Related Definition(s):

1)

Anticipate, Check, Contact, Cover, Intent, Move, Parry, Pin, Position, Ride, Strike, Weapon

2)

See Blockade.

Related Term(s):

1)

Angle of Deflection, Angle of Defense, Defensive Defense

2)

See Blockade.