BLOCKING KICKS

As stated earlier, leg kicks are the hardest of all to block and so I will
start with blocking these kicks.
I will be covering ‘sticking hands’ (the t’ai chi version) later. I mention
this because this is also where we learn to block low knee kicks,
or at least try.
Two people stand as shown in Photo No. 164. Keeping your wrists
lightly touching, you now start to move around. One player should
kick slowly to the knee of the other. You should be aware of the kick
and pull your leg back quickly. Photo No. 165. I learnt this technique
from an old arnis master in Manila, (Antonio Illustrisimo); the
difference was that they would strike at each other’s legs with the
sticks. You must not look at your opponent’s feet, always take in the
whole body using your peripheral vision as later you will also be
putting in hand techniques. After only a short period of this type of
practice you will be able to perceive the attacks quicker and so you
163 164 165
will be able to speed up the attacks. After you have evaded the attack
you will be able to re-attack to his knee with another kick. The most
important thing in this training is not to allow it to become a mêlée,
keep it cool and learn.