An apprentice with some experience and some training in things like the vulnerable parts of the body is ready to begin training in actual combat. This begins by learning the strikes, blocks and attacks that form the foundation for any fighting style. A firm grounding in the basics is very import to being able to fight well.
“You have to train until your paws and claws can act before you even think about it”
– Hopestorm of ThunderClan (CoSC)
Blocks
Blocks are movements designed to turn away a strike by an opponent. Blocks should be trained in a face to face situation to begin with, and then elevated into working from angles.
Right/Left High Paw Block
Used to: Block a strike aimed at the head, neck & upper chest.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents.
Cautions: Blocking an attack with the opposite side paw as the attack originates from opens the body to followup strikes.
Keeping a firm center of balance, reach out and guide the striking paw away from your body. Bringing the paw to the ground is safest as it helps to keep it from being used to repeat the same strike again.
Right/Left Low Paw Block
Used to: Block a strike aimed at the legs & chest.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents.
Cautions: Blocking an attack with the opposite side paw as the attack originates from opens the body to followup strikes.
Keeping a firm center of balance, reach out and guide the striking paw away from your body. Bringing the paw to the ground is safest as it helps to prepare yourself to return with the same attack.
Forward Block
Used to: Block a strike aimed at the throat.
Best against: Smaller opponents.
Cautions: Opens the paws and legs to strikes using the teeth. Best followed up with a reverse dodge.
Firmly planting the hind legs, reach forward with the forepaws and plant them on the face, neck, throat or chest of the opponent.
Variation(s): The use of only one paw, or the use of a strike in place of a block.
Left/Right Dodge
Used to: Evade a strike aimed at the head, neck & upper chest.
Best against: Larger or slower opponents.
Cautions: Too much time spent dodging without making your own attacks can given an opponent control of the fight. Dodging too close to the enemies other paw can open you to attack.
Launch your body out of the reach of the enemies claws using the power of the hind legs.
Reverse Dodge
Used to: Evade a strike aimed at the throat.
Best against: Larger or slower opponents.
Cautions: You might leap into something you cannot see.
Launch your body backwards using all four paws in as graceful a movement as possible.
Strikes
Strikes are movements designed to damage or hamper and opponent.
Right/Left High Strike
Used to: Strike at the head, neck or upper chest.
Best against:
Cautions: Reaching too far up before striking can make your attack obvious and expose your chest.
A strike made by reaching up and moving the paw at the opponent in a downward motion.
Right/Left Low Strike
Used to: Strike at the legs or chest.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: reaching too far down or lowering the head too far can open the back of the neck to an attack.
A strike made by reaching down and moving the paw at the opponent in an upwards motion.
Forward Bite
Used to: Strike at the throat of the enemy.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents when you have a clear upper paw in the contest.
Cautions: This is a risky attack because it puts your face within striking distance and biting distance of the enemy.
lunge forward with your mouth open to bite the throat (or whatever part of the enemy you succeed in grabbing hold of) of the enemy.
Diving Rake
Used to: Strike at the exposed flank of an enemy preforming a left or right dive.
Best against: Slower or tired opponents.
Cautions: This strike does open you to a retaliation with the same move, be prepared for evasive action.
When the opponent dives to the right or left in a dodge, lunge forward with paws extended to catch their flank as it goes by. Smaller opponents might be born to the ground by such a strike.
Attacks
Attacks are combination of strikes and blocks that are designed to damage or hamper and opponent and give the cat in question an edge in the battle.
Double High Paw Strike
Used to: Attack the face of the enemy with the claws.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: The attack is difficult to abort if needed, and opens the underside of the attacker.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Right High Paw Strike, Left High Paw Strike
Actions Used: Forward Dive
Launching yourself towards the enemy, preform a right and left high paw strike simultaneously, aimed at the head of the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.
Double Low Paw Strike
Used to: Attack the throat and/or chest of the enemy with one’s claws.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: The attack is difficult to abort if needed, and opens the underside of the attacker.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Right Low Paw Strike, Left Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: Forward Dive
Launching yourself towards the enemy, preform a right and left low paw strike simultaneously, aimed at the chest and throat of the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.
Double High/Low Block
Used to: Block a double strike.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: Not pressing the attack and only blocking can give an oponent an edge.
Blocks Used: High Paw Block and High Paw Block -or- High Paw Block and Low Paw Block -or- Low Paw Block and Low Paw Block
Strikes Used: None
Actions Used: None
When an attack with both forepaws is preformed, it is countered by preforming a pair of blocks to protect oneself.
High-Low Strike
Used to: Strike from both the high and the low positions simultaneously.
Best against: Most opponents
Cautions: Be prepared to switch quickly to a block or dodge if necessary. Remember that once in contact a dodge becomes more difficult.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Left High Paw Strike, Right Low Paw Strike -or- Right High Paw Strike, Left Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: None
Move into position and simultaneously preform a Right/Left High Paw Strike and a Right/Left Low Paw Strike against the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.
Dual Block and Strike
Used to: Block an attach from one side while making one from the other.
Best against: Most opponents.
Cautions: Be prepared to switch quickly to a double-block if necessary.
Blocks Used:Left or Right High or Low Block
Strikes Used:Left or Right High or Low Strike
Actions Used: None
Move into position and simultaneously preform a Right/Left High/Low Block and a Left/Right Low/High Strike at the same time. This attack forces the opponent to either move or tie their paws up in a double-block.
Left/Right Block and Strike
Used to: Block an attack from one side while making an attack from the other.
Best against: Most opponents.
Cautions: Very quick opponents might turn this against you.
Blocks Used: Left or Right High Paw Block -or- Left or Right Low Paw Block
Strikes Used:Left or Right High Paw Strike -or- Left or Right Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: None
Preform a block against an incoming attack and couple it with a strike of your own with the opposite paw.
Grapple and Strike
Used to: Take control of an enemy while continuing to attack.
Best against: Smaller opponents.
Cautions: Grappling any cat who is larger puts you in position to be grapple by them in return.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Any
Actions Used: Dive and/or Grapple (Grab and Hold)
Move quickly and jump on the enemy, using your paws, claws and teeth to latch on. Once your hold is secure begin to make attacks as the opportunities become available until the enemy breaks free.