Martial arts “blocks” aren’t blocking. The Karate Kid lied to you 

A karate master in Okinawa once told me; ”if you block your opponents punch, he shouldn’t be able to use that arm again” 👊 Food for thought 😁 Keep up the great work amigo!

General population's knowledge of martial arts comes mostly from what they have seen in the movies

Miyagi did not lie. My car always has a nice glossy shine.

Mr. Miyagi did teach Daniel, "Best block, no be there". But that had to wait till the second movie.

One of the first lessons my master taught when learning to actually fight was, "everything is a punch, everything is a block, every movement is a slip, all of this is true, until you start thinking of them as one thing. The minute you think a block is a block, you are loosing. you don't Block, you deflect, you don't slip, you reposition, you don't commit to one attack." that lesson broke me of the idea of blocking everything very quickly. it was not until he broke me of that habit that he started explaining how to take advantage of my movement, and strikes to position for a strike or to counter punch/kick. That lesson also taught me to start looking for ways to use something as simple as a jab, as an intercept, or using a outside crescent kick to counter a round house. (BTW, if you do this, you will accidently kick your partner in the crotch a lot, as your foot with slide up his thigh and right into their groin. it might make your refs and sparing partners mad.)

Actually I always had my suspicions about the Karate Kid, because when he blocked he didn't use a paint brush.

Wait the karate kid isnt a documentary? Im shocked and appalled!

You’re correct those “blocks” are strikes, throws, releases from holds, and a million other things that might include blocking but not in that way.

And here i was thinking that the crane kick was a no can defend.

Jack Dempsey said it well in his book when he lists the 3 basic defenses.From the least to most preferable: (Blocking

A lot of karate blocking comes from kata, waza, etc. Bunkai for these movements is very important. Slips, catching, parrying and countering are all very successful techniques. Thank you for the video.

I remember my class when I used to practise kung fu, we practised many a forms, traditional stances, steps and footworks etc. But whenever we practised fights, our coach strickly taught us simple steps with simple punches, simple kicks and simple blocks and most important never approach too wide but keep short range. Whether it be footwork, arm or leg extension. The more you extend the more you lose your balance and your defence. He always said styles and names may differ but the fight must be same whatsoever form you practise. Keep it simple and go straight in.

I might get punched in the face a lot, but my fence looks great and my car is clean and shiny.

How dare you say that Karate Kid lied?? It is what I have based all my defense on. I have been painting walls, waxing cars and sanding floors like crazy. And now you say it doesnt work.. Keep up the good work Ramsey. Think I will follow your advice to go out there and train because I need to lose some weight :D

If someone thinks the techniques used in these kinds of films work in real life, you are almost obligated to punch them. Seriously, it may save their life in the long run.

I've always wondered why some people do not believe that some "blocks", punches, or other similar techniques in kata are actually artifacts of weapons techniques that remained even after the art became less weapons and offense-oriented and more empty hands and defense-oriented.

this was one of the most entertaining videos for me, took me right to the gym and explained some key things lol, great stuff as always

'Daniel-san, best way to block punch? Not be there. ' - Miyagi

I never liked static blocking, I tried this in one of my first fights. Blocked one haymaker, blocked a second, then missed several and got beat up lol

I cannot stress enough how greatfull i am for the commercial AT THE END off the video. These 2min in commercials are killing me. Thank you so much for this! Makes supporting you that much easier.

Love these demo video's, Ramsey! Keep'em coming! Thanks to both of you.

When I started training karate, I would try to use blocks on sparring, and my sensei told me to not use traditional blocks. He said they were slow, and you make yourself open to a second punch. He said it was better to get out the way and deflect the attack with a tap. I was confused as to why we trained blocks if they were not the best option. Now I know that blocks are not really blocks, they're just attacks on close range.

Well that's the big misunderstanding with karate. The are NO blocks in it. What you see in karate is hits, they using the momentum of the attack to hit and damage the opponent's hand. But unfortunately many karate teachers don't really understand or learned this thing in the first place, so that's why they think these are blocks, and that's how they pass it down to their students. Nice video nevertheless.I liked your MMA techniques display.

“Punch me, please” 😂

Thank you so much for discussing parrying strikes. Its an essential skill set especially when one is out of stamina. Highly underrated.

This is one of the best most informative videos on your channel. Great techniques and tactics in a short amount of time.

It reminds me of that Jake mace matrix parody 😂 edit: then the gif appears

These videos are just getting better and better. I'm learning a lot!

The "wax on wax off" motion in Karate Kid does work to block hooks if you're fast enough to react and if you are confident it isn't a feign to open up your guard for a straight punch. Most of the time covering the back of your ears as you showed in this video is probably the safest way to block if you can't dodge the attack. A lot of traditional martial artists have an impractical idea of blocking. I've run into several of these practitioners who swear they can catch and trap a straight punch so I said let's test that in a safe way. I would proceed to repeat 1-2 punches or just a straight right cross targeting the space between their head and shoulders such that if I targeted a few inches to the right, the punch would crash into their mouth. This gave them repeated opportunities to catch and trap either the jab or right cross mid-flight by grabbing my wrists. But every time they either couldn't even touch me or my hands and wrist would just slide right out of their grasp. I can see the shock on their face as they realize they can't do what they thought they could do even though I am repeating a consistent predictable motion. They can eventually time it to grab the arm but they were never even close to controlling the arms or fist on the way in or on the retract motion. They don't even have to worry about being hit in the face as my punches are moving just a few inches past their chin.

Thanks for another video coach

This is fascinating, learned a lot today

I really miss doing sports... but really great video. Extremely informative!

Thanks for an informative exposition on blocking. Mahalo and Aloha.

Great lesson I now have an understanding to blocking.Now I have to put it to test.That was helpful for me to improve.

A great display of skill. I learned a lot, thank you.

Thanks for this one coach!

Mad respect for explaining cross properly. Learning marital arts, hearing those terms, I would get confused by what they wanted. Later, I found out it did not matter, but I think it should of.

"...that's why its called a cross..." ❤

I enjoy this coaching, the movements are brilliant.

Wow! Lots of great information in this video!

Right in the childhood, Ramsey.

Cool video and good explanation.

He was TRAINING him! It wasn't full force,but it DID show Daniel that all those chores were to help him learn the basics!😎

I was taught in my karate dojo that footwork and body position was #1. If you slip the punch then do NOT try a block. I also practiced this within actual punching distance. Through practice I understood a cross without being officially "taught" one. The Karate Kid drives me nuts. They don't move their feet. They don't practice against an attack that can actually land. Their stances are square to the opponent. No head movement. Etc. Dodging is better than blocking. Getting in close is effective against aggressive fighters. Karate can work but only if fight basics are also taught. "Traditional" doesn't have to mean purely theoretical. I hate Karate Kid for perpetuating sloppy fighting arts.

Good information!

I luv the gems ur drippin!!!

Awesome video! Thanks!

When I took taekwondo as a kid those goofy blocks were what they taught us. When I got into a karate class as an adult, the instructor taught us the slipping blocks like in this video. Instead of doing a rigid block, slip in, throw a straight and use your outer arm to block. For a high block, as opposed to those 90 degree taekwondo high blocks. Same thing for middle blocks and low blocks. All the blocks were also strikes and dodges.

Brothers thanks I I appreciate your video and knowledge I like that better

Yeah I haven't gotten to that step I'm still trying to catch a fly with my chopsticks.

Instructive.Thx

I like the camouflaged left sleeve so that your opponent won't see your left jab coming if you're fighting in a forest.

Awesome techniques coach like always

I remember in one of jesse enkamps videos, he showed that the "blocks" I karate from the katas, turn into other things at different ranges. Ex: the high block becomes a frame at close/clinch range. Etc. And one of the things I like about some trapping, is it's not just a "block," but a redirection, jam, and counter strike all at once. But good video. Always enjoy your vids.

Ramsey, I think you should make a video series with those foundamentals for MMA. for example Boxing for MMA , Muai thaui for MMA , Wreastling for MMA,counterpunching... It would Sold out in a blink of the eye!

In movie fight choreography, that thing of standing slightly out of range and whaling on an opponent who furiously "blocks" every attack is called "Flynning" after the master of the technique, Errol Flynn. By standing out of range, they're pretty much safe, and can get really energetic with it to great dramatic effect. It's not fighting though. It's basically a dance.

When I used to teach, I always made sure my students knew the difference between karate, and a real world fight. Most karate taught in clubs is to build self discipline, fitness, strength and confidence, in a safe environment. Real fights are close quarter, and unpredictable, and don’t look good on film. If they came with a movie mentality, they usually gave up in the first few weeks of drills. Blocks aren’t blocks, it’s to move or deflect the power of the punch, or kick, from the most vulnerable areas, and offset your opponents balance. Most martial arts were simplified to appeal to a western audience, and watered down over time to teach kids. As most students leave once they reach the coverted black belt, sadly they don’t get chance to teach the actual real world techniques.

Even in some of the traditional arts like Karate that I trained, the instructor always stated that block was not entirely accurate as "uke" means "receiving", or more accurately intercepting, thus the defensive movements ("blocks" or parries) were always used in conjunction with angling footwork, and the "blocks" were either redirecting the attacking limb, actually counter attacking strikes to the attacking limb, or were actually our counterattacking strikes to open targets on the attacker's body that we now have access to, because the footwork used had us evading the attack and being positioned to immediately counter. Good video.

Wow, I think I should take a martial arts class! There's a lot of information in this video that I never thought about, like I never knew you could parry or counter kicks! I thought that you always checked them. And it looks so obvious when it's told to you. It makes me wonder what else I don't know about fighting.

As I learned more and more, strikes should be able to break the opponent or at least redirecting the attack. Good video, stay strong

Amazing Video!

It's not just the karate kid that lied, but so did my karate class, because we were taught these movement were blocks.

I have had long hooks that I throw (I’m gangly) that can be blocked because it hits the elbow other than that I very much agree with this...Great vid Ramsey!

I miss being able to practice like this with teachers. Maybe one day the lockdown will be over in my state, but it seems doubtful. At this point I'm just thankful the dojo is still open and we're able to still get some sort of in-person feedback...

As always very informative video! :D I wonder, if you could make one about "damage blocks", which themselves seem a good way to break someone's fist on your elbow (or other part of body against another part of body) but still...they are blocks. I really found them interesting, they are very large part of techniques in 52 Blocks but also I saw somewhere such techniques in Muay Boran or similar martial arts. I guess they are the last stand, just like forehead? Just another idea for a video from you :D Looking forward for more! Take care!

Algo vi en un video sobre los 3 niveles de aplicacion de los movimientos de Karate. Coincide. Muy buena divulgacion

Was about to rage "Yes they do" until I realised the topic wasn't about wether they work or not BUT "not blocks, redirects". I like good old "windshield wiper". As far as deflecting kicks go....Yeah, not quite there yet. Also thank you so much about explaining the cross, always wondered about that...

This is beautiful stuff.

hey boss, fomrer student of World Tang Soo Do academy in PA. we learned the "wax on wax off" blocks with correct technique exactly for the purpose of passing punches. in drill or sparring we keep it light and do over exaggerated technique so people learn the muscle memory to do an inside or outside pass with any of those blocks you showed at the beginning combined with how u passed ur sparring partners punches at 2:30. maybe that will help clear things up

The sparring demonstration suddenly gave me a light bulb moment that kinda shows how you can use dirty boxing for self defense if rules dont apply and youre in an actual life and death situation

In a way your demonstrations of the meanings of these blocks is just as cool as the scene where danial discovers that he was training karate blocks by doing wax on and wax off the whole time.

Stay focused and train hard has always been my philosophy.

I still agree with you tho it's just that I have a much different concept of what a "block" is than people typically would.

Thank you so much

The karate master was teaching the student to block foot short punches to give the impression to the opponent of being in range when he was really out of it. Brilliant!

TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE: This is RU-vid. You’re not allowed to tell the truth here. Please remain where you are. The authorities are on their way. You will enjoy re-education. Thank you for your cooperation.

When I started doing HEMA I started to learn how powerful swaying in and out of range was really good for baiting weapon swings and punishing with counter strikes

When I was taught these 'karate blocks,' we were taught to apply it for arm trapping and clinchwork.

When I was still younger, I wanted to become a fighter and loved fighting, but I used to see boxers training, but didnt join them, because the movies made it look as if karate is superior to boxing and boxing isn't effective and for losers, so I snubbed the boxers all those due to movie fantasy and my greatest regret in live, am currently a judo freak and blue belt, but I wish I wasn't brainwashed and deceived by the movie industry

It's great to hear someone say that all of those blocking movements and training is useless - then you see SO many mechanics that mimic those same movements minutes later. Blocking drills are like pad drills, you're opponents head isn't to the left and right. You're working on timing, conditioning and muscle memory. It's about moving your body into those positions and switching on the right muscles when you need them. In covering up, deflecting and jamming. All of the body mechanics used in blocking come into play inside the clinch too but you're not blocking strikes but manipulating their limbs with the same movements. The problem with some traditional Martial Arts is that this side of training is not drilled as much as it should be or at all. Most Karate schools never get off the ground floor when it comes to robust combat theory and practice. - Source: Have been training in Karate for 31 years.

Hey Ramsey, we're learning about different defences and how to apply them like parries and counters. This is super helpful.

Another great video Ramsey!!

Great video! Would love to see a video where you review the VR game or boxing simulator “ The Thrill of the Fight” and share your thoughts. Thanks.

For anyone who looks at Daniel's skills compared to the other fighters and considers that he wins the tournament for brown belts and higher, this should be the least of their concerns.

Mr. Miyagi was legit damn it!! 😝

i like watching these videos on double speed. looks crazy

I love the Tensho Kata..and is very effective obviously with combinations

Jeet Kune Do puts emphasis on counter-punching too..

Hey Ramsey, love your content :). So, there's an interesting fact about the japanese word we associate with "blocking", uke. Like, at the beginning of the video, you show the fairly basic "blocks" of karate: soto/uchi uke, gedan barai (which is the exception), and age uke. Now, the first problem here, the first mistake we made that COMPLETELY dictates our vision of karate, and martial arts in general, is the association of "uke" with "block". In reality, uke comes from the verb "ukeru" (受ける), which means "accept, receive". So, basically, something like "age uke" doesn't quite mean "high block", but rather "accepting to receive a blow coming overhead". It's simply stating the knowledge that an attack is coming, and that we're ready to deal with it. A thing that we also learn in karate, especially in shotokan, but I guess other styles do it too, is to "arm" the "block" by crossing your arms. So, to take the "upper block" age uke, if you block with your right arm, you'll have crossed your left arm first. Problem is, nobody is fast enough to see a punch coming, even in a consensual fight, and be able to "shoot" the non-blocking hand first, then block with the actual blocking hand. Nobody is ever that fast. But, if you listen to many karateka, it's almost like a divine superpower when you become fast enough to actually do it. Which, well... is great when you're 10 years old and MMA isn't on your radar, but if trained fighters like Amanda Nunes or Ernesto Hoost can't do it in a fight, I'm not sure Timmy, 4th dan who never had a professional full contact fight, would be able to. But, if you think about the fact that "uke" doesn't mean "block" but "receive, accept", and has that idea of "readiness" towards an attack, then the ENTIRE technique makes much more sense, and is something that I personally find has some nice... similarities with Filipino Martial Arts: basically, just like you demonstrated with your jab parries, the ACTUAL defense part of the technique is the "arming" of the so-called "block", and the actual "block" being kind of a counter attack. In the case of uchi/soto uke (the name changes depending on the school, but it's basically the outside-inside "block"), the punch, for example, was parried by the first arm, possibly but not necessarily grabbing the hand, and the soto/uchi uke is actually either attacking the head, but also possibly the arm, not necessarily with the goal of breaking the joint, but at least hitting the muscle, among other targets. It's reminiscent, to me at least, of the "gunting" principles in kali, where you try to "destroy" the enemy's natural weapons by "destroying" them. I think that the misinterpretation of the word "uke" in japanese techniques has lead to a general misunderstanding of the art, and martial arts in general, at least to the same level of misunderstanding of the word "Bu" in chinese, where the word was misunderstood for "stance" when it meant "step".

That's how we threw our punches during our parry drills back when I was in a Wing Chun school lol

Hi Ramsey, love the content. Is it beneficial to use a heaver Heavy Bag as a opposed to a lighter one? For example a standard 30-40kg one or a 60-80kg heaver one.

Love the TaiChi leg grab/throw.

Great video Mr D ! I noticed that your head block (with the hand behind the head) is the same as Master Wong`s!

Great video, it's a bit worrying people have to be told this! The ip man films are great to watch but like Karate kid have misrepresented how wing chun is meant to be used, there is no blocks, and parries are not a go to, there really is just shapes for entry into attack also known as bridging, but it is not always trained this way. Adam chans you tube videos are quite good for showing this.

That block you show against a hook is almost verbatim the block posture taught against such punches in Isshin-ryu. The response is rapid backfist strike against the attacker coming from the blocking arm (follow the punch to land on their nose through their guard to disrupt them, and follow up with heavy attacks (basic shows a heavy punch to the solar plexus, but in practice the rule is "whatever you can get").

I used to do Shotokan when I was a kid and once I did also one day at Viet Vo Dao. I saw similar things but one that was different is that they used to block with their fists instead of their forearms.

Ah, reminds me of some lessons of our 1 or 3-step kumite (shotokan). We'd start off warming up with less range of motion and fairly low intensity and work up to faster / deeper strikes. Eventually you realize that mobility is way better than standing your ground and soaking up the strike. While our blocks are just considered strikes, there's only so many bruises you can take in training before you realize that evasion is the clearly superior alternative (or deflecting to some extent, too). It was always a fun time working with the less experienced students when you stopped being a "compliant" training partner and they have to adapt on the fly to the increased intensity. Big difference between practicing a technique and having to make it work. :)

i can't tell if that ad is sarcastic or for real. I'll check it out

The way I train and was taught is that the initial chambering/starting position is your guard/deflection and the move that follows ( the "block") is usually a counter strike or used to set up distance or frame against an opponent.

Thanks.