13/01/2021
"How do you defend attacks vs. the midline or the groin if you cover the head up like that?"
Context is key here. A self defense situation is a non-consensual fight. If we are covering it's because the assailant attempts to hit us very quickly - usually by surprise as much as they can. It's our job to understand body language, intent, and go on high alert so we can at least try to intercept it. This is a good foundation to start with as it covers all the knockout points on the head as well.
Operant conditioning will kick in and we will instinctively cover and there are thousands of youtube videos to back this up. We aren't fighting operant conditioning we are simply tweaking it to be more advantageous.
It's really to survive that first ambush, and then from there the combatives are much the same as anything else you'd see. Leaving the hands up high is asking for trouble after the initial engagement kicks off. Remember as well that an ambush is meant to be effective. Someone will punch you in the head first. In The emotional realm, have you ever heard someone say "I'm gonna tear his ribs off!!" No it's always the head, because the face is the cause of the anger. That's the initial target. Even sparring back and forth watch how much you'll take shots at the head versus the torso.
I have a lot of experience working in a prison. Bad people usually aren't anything spectacular ability wise but they are super predatory, determined, and don't play fair. They will catch you by surprise, keep hitting you when you freeze, and then when you hit the ground they just keep kicking you in the head until you're a puddle.
Oh yeah, it's definitely not done static. If you stop you're done. This drill in particular is to help learn throw elbows at all the different angles while building good balance to deliver power. This is the first baby step.
