A Comprehensive Review of the Best 6 Defense Moves in Martial Arts

For any martial arts practitioner, having a super solid defense move is not only important but also very instrumental in ensuring an individual’s safety. Learning how to check for a kick, countering your opponent and parrying punches are all essential skills that one must have if he or she is to be successful in the ring or any competition. In case you are unable to defend yourself, the chances are that you will end up with more bruises, injuries and bumps than you opponents or challengers who have better defense moves or are elusive. Defense is something many people often lack especially beginners especially those who practice the art of Muay Thai. Many at times many people just walk into punches and block them with their faces or check sporadically for incoming blows and kicks.

#1 The Crash

The crash is a great move that is mainly used in the MMA and many other martial arts to respond to any strike to the upper body from a committed attacker. Also, this technique can also work in some situations where the opponent might try to employ the use of grabbing attacks. Nonetheless, unlike most of the defense techniques that may require matching a specific defense move to a specific attack move, the crash is undeniably going to work against the rear hand and front hand straight punches, together with hooks and lots of wide barrage attacks. These are some of the main reasons why the crash is an exceedingly effective default response, especially when participating in a tournament or when you find yourself under attack.

All in all, the crash is a very simple entry that was designed to disrupt an opponent’s attack. The mechanics behind the crush is that it will put you, in a position you will not only be able to gain full control but also begin you own offensive moves. When learning the crash, you will be assigned a partner with whom you will start with single punch attacks. Then as time goes by, the intensity and velocity of the blows will increase gradually. So as to effectively master the crash technique, you will be required to practice it over and over so that it becomes a conditioned default response.

#2 The Grappling Defense

The grappling defense is one of the many conditioned responses and is very effective against takedowns, grappling and or tackles. This conditioned response relies on the use of the upper arms bone structure to stop an impending attack from an opponent who is determined to take you down or put you in a clinch. The basic principle behind this defense move is to try and counter the incoming attack by first using the elbow to stop an entry that is then followed by an effective application of the elbow. During the application of this fundamental defense move, the arm of the individual being attacked should be perpendicular to the body of the attacker. This move relies on one’s bone structure and not muscle structure

Furthermore, regardless as to whether the opponent is much stronger or bigger than you, it is impossible for the attacker to pop up, remove your arm or get in. This technique can be effectively mastered and completed in two basic steps though for one to make it a default response he or she is supposed to repeat this defense move as much as possible. The steps include;

• When attacker rushes towards the defender in an attempt to take him down, the defender is supposed to step back while using the leg that is on the side that the attacker is coming.
• After moving the leg, the defender is then supposed to stop the attackers takedown attempt by using the elbow of the opposite arm by hitting the attacker with a hit is the jaw.
• Clinch Entry

The clinch entry is a defense technique that is used in different types of Martial Arts such as the Muay Thai, Boxing, Thai Boxing and is mainly used when an individual is being beaten or cornered and needs to change the game. Since it is difficult to crash or intercept while moving, the clinch entry can be adjusted to a drop then followed by a rising clinch. The good advantage about many defense moves is that they all depend of the defenders ability to adjust them to suit his current situation or needs, though he or she needs to make the defense move a default response by regular practice. While applying the Clinch entry, the best position that a defender can be in is on the attackers back and many at times if executed properly this is where the attacker is going to end up. Once you end on the defenders back, there are several techniques that can be applied as your offensive move.

#3 The Blast

The Blast is mainly used in scenarios where you cannot escape, or you need to take down your opponent. In simple terms, the blast is a simple continuous high-pressure attack. For a more conditioned response to the blast, you should be able to pick an initial technique or one point of entry that will work for you and also against a wide array of attackers. Many times the blast is used in Mixed Martial Arts, in scenarios where the opponent has locked you in a corner, and you need to get or overturn the match. When working on the blast move, you should use a partner who will approach you in a threatening situation hence giving you no chance to escape. After he gets close to you while attacking you should then launch into your blast. All in all, after applying the blast as a defense move, you will be left with numerous openings on the attacker’s body on which you can choose to attack. Nonetheless, be sure to tune fine the blast so that it can work out for you accordingly.

#4 The Wing Chung trapping

Wing Chung blocks are sometimes referred to as traps. Unlike other self-defense techniques, the Wing Chung trappings or blocks are usually executed by using the forward energy while trying to shut down your opponents blocking ability and also counter your attack. When the Wing Chung trapping is practiced as an attack against an opponent, it not only becomes useful on its own but also it becomes an intermediate step towards using it as a defense towards other incoming strikes. Despite the fact that many experts are in agreement that Wing Chung trappings are effective, very few martial arts practitioners employ the use of this form of art. This is mainly because of three reasons.

First and foremost, many martial arts practitioners have complained that Wing Chung training is unrealistic. Hence they cannot apply it against an experienced fighter. Apart from that, Wing Chung as an art form does not appear to work. Hence, very few sports fighters take it seriously. The third and final reason is that trapping is best suited for self-defense and not fighting. All in all, it has been proven that it is the simple trappings that work and not the series of complex combinations that is usually practiced in Wing Chung schools.

#5 Lop Sao

Lop Sao is a perfect example of a Wing Chung trapping where you will grab the opponent’s arm and jerk it forward so that  you will not only stop him from attacking but also you will also prevent him from attacking you. The good thing about Lop Sao as a defensive technique is that once you grab and pull the opponent’s arm, you will be left with some openings in which you can choose to attack. Also, after applying the Lop Sao, you can then choose any combination of attack that will work for you.

#6 Bong Sao

Like Lop Sao, Bong Sao is also another great example of the Wing Chung trappings and is mainly employed to crash a threat. The Bong Sao is usually used the similar manner as a crushing attacks. All in all, the Bong Sao is a perfect deflecting technique that can be used to leave an opponent open for any attack.