Blocking leg kicks

When blocking a leg kick (I'm thinking specifically of Thai style shin kicks) with your leg, what's the best part of your leg to use to absorb the shot? The tough conditioned low part of the shin seems to work well, but takes so long to lift into place. The middle of the shin seems too sensitive. The top of the shin, near the knee seems to take the shot well, and is quick, but that seems to be a sure way to get your knee blown out.

Knee

If you can't take it on the shin, take it on the calf muscle, block just liek with the shin but tense the calf and take it there.

-Nak Muay

The thicker the muscle blocking, I would think the more the padding. Just my two cents

More padding for them too. Use the knee and make them hurt.

The odd foot position of many martial dancers from Thailand, SEAsia and into Indonesia- the one where they contract the ankle and point the toes upward- is to flex the muscle beside the shin to better block and kick (same thing) with. obviously it aids in the hooking action (sapu) also.

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It's best to block with the upper portion of the shin and the knee. There is really no danger of you 'blowing out your knee'. The upper part of the shin and knee are much stronger than the shin and you are more likely to injure your opponent than yourself. The lower portion of the shin can also be used, but as you stated, takes longer to lift into a blocking position. You should try not to ever block with the middle portion of the shin as that is most likely how you will injure yourself. Thai-style kicks are thrown so that the lower portion of the shin near the ankle is the striking surface. That is the hardest area of the shin. It's the boniest part. Plus, the two leg bones come together here, and support each other, making it that much harder. The middle part of the shin is the weakest, therefore, blocking the hardest part of the shin with the weakest equals injury. Blocking with the knee, however, is better b/c the knee is actually tougher than the shin.

NO! C'mon, Nak, you know better than that!

If you're going to train, train right! Condition yourself to be able to block the kicks correctly.

Wha?!?

Well i think i said 'if you're shins aren't conditioned' to block with your calves. Its better than getting a a huge dent in your shin! I know my shins are conditioned to a point, where I can block, it hurts for a few seconds then goes away and no visible damage. But nothing compared to the fighters in Thailand. I would need atleast 8 more years of conditioning to match their (shin) conditioning.

-Nak Muay

I understand the point you were trying to make, but you must realize the point I'm trying to make also.

Blocking with your calf muscle defeats the purpose. If your shins are not conditioned, that's what shinpads are for. It's a bad idea to get in the habit of blocking with your calf muscles.