At STMA we do regular low punch sparring, known as "abs" sparring.
Karate teaches you gedan barai as a low block and we use the ged bar block and counter drills.
However it is not good to drop to ged bar against a good kicker - you need the kan sao structure from Jun Fan.
And however again, against a boxer you should never lower your hands to block. You can even condition your abs to take shots - but you can't condition your head!
I mentioned Ali was only defeated twice in his prime - by Ken Norton and Joe Frazier who specialised in body blows.
Ali used to say "I am the greatest - I am the prettiest" - a boast that nobody could land a hard blow to his face and mess it up.
Frazier's reply was just as famous:
"Ali can keep his pretty face, I don't want it - I'm going to tear out his kidneys".
Ali's "rope a dope" defence worked perfectly against a low punch specialist. However Smokin Joe took Ali's title with a left hook in the 15th round.
Norton, the other man to take Ali's title, also did so with a left hook.
Norton broke Ali's jaw in the process.
So the importance of attacking and defending abs is highlighted - as is the use of the left hook.
FOOTNOTE: After being defeated by Frazier, Ali beat him in 2 rematches. He did the same with Norton. He made the point of not just regaining his belt from the man who took it, but giving that man a second chance to win it - and coming out on top. And he did it twice. That's why he's The Greatest.
........ WHITE TIGER MARTIAL ARTS CROYDON ........ SHIRO TORA BUDO KAI ........ South Croydon ........ – Weapons training – Unarmed Combat – Grappling – Kickboxing : Traditional and Contemporary Martial Arts : Practical, Realistic and Effective Street Self Defence : Get a great workout – Learn something – Have Fun! ....... : HIT HARD – HIT FAST – HIT FIRST! : If you want to learn to fight – come to see us!
