I think "blocking" is a misnomer. It refers only to stopping a blow. You can do that with shoulders, forearms, legs...but it tends to keep you on the defensive for a time. Parries joined with counterstrikes are another matter--no blocking but minimizing damage from a blow while allowing for continuity of movement. What some people refer to as blocks are really cutting strikes meant to inflict damage as reaction to your opponent's move.
I think the idea of blocking got passed on from early western exposure to karatedo. The term ukeru was mistranslated as "blocking" when it really means something more like "response."
"Look, I'm only doing me job. I have to show you how to defend yourself against fresh fruit."
For it breeds great perfection, if the practise be harder then the use. Sir Francis Bacon
the world has a surplus of self centered sh1twh0res, so anyone who extends compassion to a stranger with sincerity is alright in my book. also people who fondle road kill. those guys is ok too. GunnedDownAtrocity