Blocking directions, strategy, and footwork

[shuen]

let me be the middle man hier between you Asmo and Beggar.

As i understand Beggar says only, he likes to move while blocking (and does not like being stationary).
Asmo, if i understand right, you say it could slow your block down if you move.

I think it is not always necessary to move (out of line) while you block, but it is (very) often helpful. Even if you block to the "dead" side, it is a lot more secure, if you move out of line in the same time. From the aspect of blocking it can be a waste of energy, but it can put you in a lot better stand to attack.

Example:
Attacker comes with left ping chui, you block with left mirror Hand (so block to the dead side). So if you blocked (enough) you won´t be hit by that punch, and because you blocked to the dead side, it will be difficult for the attacker to start the next punch (fast) with his other hand. So you "won".

But if you step to the right in the same time you block (or right and front), you are more secure that the first punch wont hit you, he need even more time to make a proper follow attack, and you are at his left side, which is mostly open. So you got more time to make your counterattack to his more vulnerable side.

i do think there could be some time, where a footwork while blocking is really unnecessary, i do think that it helps you most of the time.

[Asmo]

Yeah! What he says, hehe.

Some more input on how I see it right now (hey, I can be all wrong ): When you block, you need to move, that's obvious, you don't block with just your arm, your whole body is involved with the block. However, when you block you don't need to step with your feet, not always anyway. You can move your body to support the block (to get off center, lean into the block, whatever) without stepping around. What you often see however, is you do make a step after a block is made, or while the block is being executed. This stepping is then part of the followup technique. The block does not depend on the stepping to be successful.

Good discussion, gives food for thought