Traditional Karate High Block

It’s always easy to critique from afar. I just don’t see the man executing the block truly taking the punch on different path to avoid the head. In other words if the guy had thrown a committed punch, that block would not have done its job. Blocking is attacking whatever is bearing down on you, and deflecting a technique away from your vital areas. That being said, both men in the video look strong and competent. Yet, I see this type of ineffective technique practiced in training halls all around. Bringing to my mind the idea that what we practice is what we will use in a real life situation.