Basic Blocks and Parries Part 7

Down Blocks

The ‘Down’ blocks can be to the left or the right. The blocks move forward and across the front of the lower body, in a forceful sweeping motion for protection. With a fighter holding their stick in the right hand the block to the left can be called the ‘Forehand Down Block’ and the block to the right can be called the ‘Backhand Down Block’. The emptyhand in either block, can be at the front or back of the weapon.

After the initial weapon contact in the down block, with Quebec Serrada the emptyhand is mostly breaking/checking the momentum of the opponents weapon hand. In Balintawak it is always breaking/stopping the momentum. The flowthrough of the opponents weapon hand, if executed in a down block, is usually only done In Quebec Serrada and is usually done so with ‘The Foot Sliding’ manoeuvre, of the foot sliding backwards just upon contact of weapon to weapon and then a foot return sliding move back forward, after the opponents weapon hand has passed.

Blocks Transmuted/Translated to Strikes

In both the later Intermediate and Advanced stages of Quebec Serrada Kali, your blocks will also be shown, that they can be attacks/strikes, if you have mastered anticipation, your timing is proficient and target definition is correct.

In the Intermediate and Advanced of Quebec Serrada Kali, the fighter incorporates the Forceful Primaryhand motions, the forceful Secondaryhand motions, combined with the Reverse Stepping Pattern or Aggressive Blocking, to achieve this blocking transmutation.

With Balintawak, the Blocks are always directed back to the centre of mass of the opponent, away from the blocker at usually a forty five degree angle, so as if needed it can become a strike or hit.

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