The only time the stick tip is dropped downwards for a block is at long range. The drill consists of two distinct parts, one for offence and one for defence. One student, the more experienced, will take the offensive role, as the instructor. The other, the less experienced, will take the defensive role as the student. There are specific lessons in the drill for both.
Beginners sometimes find the drill frustrating, as they seem never to fully succeed.
This is because the deck is stacked against them. This means that he never quite manages to deal with the barrage of techniques thrown at him in the drill. Both parties are learning however. There are a number of principles for stance and stepping which are characteristic of Balintawak. Without going into detail, let me say the style encourages fluid motion and a naturalistic method for moving about.