Ive not added to one of these debates before as Im not strictly a stick fighter
more of a hand to hand person with a very keen interest in stick, bata. However
in my fighting world a defense is usually completed with an attack and if
possible a finish to end the aggressors actions. So attack and defense is one,
in the stick/baton work Ive done in the military and police it has been this way
also.

best in martial arts

Chaz
--- In bata@yahoogroups.com, "Kirk \"Rabid Weasel\" Lawson" <lawson@...> wrote:
>
> On Fri, 2009-07-03 at 16:35 +0000, tom21obrien wrote:
> > During a practice we were discussing what is more important if not equal,
> > should you learn to defend, or attack. We thought blocking your attacker
> > was a more important skill for the simple fact that when cops show up you
> > just look like a guy who was defending yourself and the attacker gets
> > tossed in the jail. Were not saying that you shoudnt lay the smack down
> > on some one if they need it. Just that keeping yourself from getting hit at
> > all may be a better skill and worth more time on. Whats your take?
>
> If you're in a dustup that gets cops called then you're clubbing someone
> anyway. Personally, I find it far easier to learn effective attacking
> than effective defending. By an order of magnitude, nearly.
>
> Just an alternate view, that's all.
>
> Peace favor your sword,
> Kirk
>