What is 52 Blocks, you may ask? The short answer is: 52 Blocks is rooted in boxing and it's the Art of Defense. 

A strong defense gives you a foundation that builds confidence enabling you to remain calm and deliver counters, from a position of safety - so you can hit them when they can't hit you.

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MAKE'EM MISS, MAKE'EM PAY!

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52 Blocks is not bound to one boxing guard or boxing style, you can adapt your own style, depending on your strengths and your weaknesses - Finding Your Style

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52 Blocks was never published or formalized in a system or organization, leaving the art form in peril of dying out.

Enter Lyte Burly.

Now, Lyte Burly was fortunate enough to meet some great teachers in his life including Mr. Roberto Sharp and Mr. Wilson Pitts among others. Mr. Wilson Pitts told Lyte Burly that he had an obligation to share his knowledge of 52.
This prompted Lyte Burly to systemize 52 Blocks AOD into a teachable system with a curriculum, preserving the art, making it available for more to learn.
In 2020 I became a certified instructor in 52 Blocks AOD under Lyte Burly.

52 Blocks as a system

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In training 52 Blocks you will learn Footwork - the foundation of 52 Blocks.
Types of Footwork include Stepping, Shuffling, and Pivoting. Then you learn Ducking, Dipping, and Slipping, which uses Upper Body Movement to create defense.
You will learn how to use Foot Feints and Blocks to confuse the opponent and create openings and you will learn to use angles.

You learn to defend strikes by Blocking, moving your feet, and moving your upper body, all of which lead to your counters.

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Effective blocking uses movement of the feet and the upper body – Blocking is not static.
 

But what are the Blocks and why are they unique to 52 Blocks?

Blocks can be used in a variety of ways.

The Blocks can be used in a variety of ways.

You can block with your Hands, Forearms, or Elbows. The Block can absorb the Power, but the Power will be greatly Diminished, as the Blocks of 52 are Moving Blocks combined with clever Footwork.

The Blocks can Redirect the Power, again through the clever use of Footwork, creating an Angle to counter from.

The Blocks can be Elbow to Fist, Destroying the Attacking Limb.

The Blocks can also be used deceptively, confusing the opponent, allowing you to close the gap while providing cover. Then, once you are in close, the Blocks can be used to deliver strikes with the Elbow using Blocks such as Skull ‘n’ Crossbones, Closed Door/Open Door, Cover the Bullet, Revolving Door, and many more.

52 Blocks Grappling teaches you to use the Blocks to transition into Grappling.

 

In extremely close quarters you can use these transitions to create an advantageous position, from where you can deliver effective counters.

 

The same holds true if your opponent grabs a hold of you.

 

52 Blocks has a lot of unique drills that will teach you sensitivity in your arms and awareness in your body and mind. This allows you to sense the opponent's intentions through feel, once contact is made, making you less reliant on seeing intentions in order to react, cutting down on your reaction time.
 

Tactile information is processed more directly and therefore a lot faster than visual information, allowing faster reactions.

Tactile sensitivity is especially important in grappling encounters, allowing you to find escape routes and create opportunities for effective counters when needed.

What can you gain from training 52 Blocks?

It’s is hard to pick one aspect to highlight, but if I was to pick one, it would have to be The Kickstand Balance.
The Kickstand Balance provides both offense and defense. It allows you to flow effortlessly from defense to offense.
 

You will learn a unique art know to few. You will learn the Art of Defense.
You will learn the complete system of 52 Blocks AOD, learning a curriculum.
52 Blocks will enhance your existing skills.
You will learn that a Block is not just a Block, it has many uses.
You will learn new Tactics.
You will join a select few.

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You will become a pugilist

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