Absorbing techniques

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Has anyone else ever let someone through their guard deliberately, purely to set up your opponent for a counter? When I say absorbing techniques I mean folding around the technique before contact, rolling with it, whatever.

[johndoch]

not often but its safer against a taller fighter that likes to pick you of at range. I wouldnt advise it against smaller fast fighters or a stocky bruisers who like to get in close.

[KarateKid1975]

I do. I get around people's guard sometimes. If it works, why not use it :D

[pgm316]

Do you mean like parrying a strike? It’s a good way to set yourself up for a counter strike. Using a faint is another good way to set an opponent up for a counter. Trapping techniques can also work well when used in one form or another.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

No, parrying involves deflection of the blows, its what all of the blocks in my art are based around. Absorbing is letting them seem to hit you, but moving to prevent any damage, then recoiling for a counter.

[Spike]

Sound like what we would do when someone tries shomen ate (basically palming someone in the face) you roll your face to one side, twist your body to follow and trap their arm as you go.
Do you mean something like that?

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Close enough I guess. Tends to be effective against blows aimed more towards the body though, since any extremeties are easier to move out of the way than move with.

[Spike]

Yeah, it sounds a lot like the counters in our syllabus.

The counter for Gedan ate is a sweet little move it has to be said.

[stump]

Do you mean "rolling with the punches"???

[Freeform]

Yep, I've been accused of being a grappler in the past for some reason. I'll let the guy come in with a kick and roll with the blow and then come back with a throw or close control, generally how I do it with the Kung Fu boys cause there faster kickboxers with me and I can't generally take them at that range, eh Spike.

I've 'shot into' (don't be rude now) kickboxers to take them in grappling/CC before and if their quick enough to fire something out usually try to roll with it.

Thanx

[pgm316]

So the absorbing techniques your talking about, I think I would class partly as footwork. You can move your body to some extent. But people with good footwork will manage to keep themselves just out of range.

I agree with you Freeform, I like to grapple as well. Instead of exchanging blows with a good kickboxer etc.

[Freeform]

Not just footwork, alot of twisting of the body and throwing your own balance about.

[johndoch]

I agree with freeform its like boxing techniques where you bob and weave making your opponent miss and at the same time drawing him/her in (ie the absorbtion) and then when the range is just right you can counter. The advantage being your not parrying/blocking using your arms and therefore you can get power in your strikes using your body movement with very little telegraphing.

[pgm316]

I'm with you now. It is an effective technique, especially against a good fighter we're its difficult to use traditional blocks.

[waya]

I let people in about as much as I keep them distant. I am more comfortable for some reason fighting inside on my opponent rather than trying to compete with striking ranges from a distance. My size makes it seem a bit of insanity (only 5'8 and about 160) but it works well so far. It tends to take larger opponents off guard also.

[Jim]

I use 'the art of not defending' in two ways:

One is where I'll let a strike in and 'absorb' it into a lock, etc. to ensure that I can fight at close range.

The other is where I have let people strike me as a psychological weapon to show them that there strikes are having no effect. (I hate to use this as an example but...) In Rocky 4 (I think) vs. Dolph L. where he was hitting him over and over and says at the break to his coach 'He is made of iron'.

Your thoughts?