diff --git a/src/mudlib/combat/commands.py b/src/mudlib/combat/commands.py
index 8e8bcb7..29f57cd 100644
--- a/src/mudlib/combat/commands.py
+++ b/src/mudlib/combat/commands.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Combat command handlers."""
 
+import asyncio
 import time
 from collections import defaultdict
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -90,20 +91,11 @@ async def do_defend(player: Player, _args: str, move: CombatMove) -> None:
         _args: Unused (defense moves don't take a target)
         move: The resolved combat move
     """
-    now = time.monotonic()
-
-    # Commitment check: locked from previous defense
-    if player.defense_locked_until > now:
-        await player.send("You're still recovering!\r\n")
-        return
-
     # Check stamina
     if player.stamina < move.stamina_cost:
         await player.send("You don't have enough stamina for that move.\r\n")
         return
 
-    # Apply lock and stamina cost
-    player.defense_locked_until = now + (move.timing_window_ms / 1000.0)
     player.stamina -= move.stamina_cost
 
     # If in combat, queue the defense on the encounter
@@ -118,10 +110,16 @@ async def do_defend(player: Player, _args: str, move: CombatMove) -> None:
         player,
         player.x,
         player.y,
-        f"{player.name} {move.name}s!\r\n",
+        f"{player.name} {move.command}s!\r\n",
     )
 
-    await player.send(f"You {move.name}!\r\n")
+    # Commitment: block for the timing window (inputs queue naturally)
+    await asyncio.sleep(move.timing_window_ms / 1000.0)
+
+    if encounter is not None:
+        await player.send(f"You {move.name}!\r\n")
+    else:
+        await player.send(f"You {move.command} the air!\r\n")
 
 
 def _make_direct_handler(move: CombatMove, handler_fn):
diff --git a/tests/test_combat_commands.py b/tests/test_combat_commands.py
index 20c59c6..dfbcc4f 100644
--- a/tests/test_combat_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_combat_commands.py
@@ -169,12 +169,13 @@ async def test_attack_sends_telegraph_to_defender(player, target, punch_right):
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_defense_works_outside_combat(player, dodge_left):
-    """Test do_defend works outside combat (costs stamina, applies lock)."""
+    """Test do_defend works outside combat (costs stamina, 'the air' message)."""
     initial_stamina = player.stamina
     await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
 
     assert player.stamina == initial_stamina - dodge_left.stamina_cost
-    assert player.defense_locked_until > 0
+    messages = [call[0][0] for call in player.writer.write.call_args_list]
+    assert any("dodge the air" in msg.lower() for msg in messages)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -334,52 +335,21 @@ async def test_switch_attack_sends_new_telegraph(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_defense_rejected_while_locked(player, dodge_left):
-    """Test defense rejected during recovery lock."""
-    await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
-    player.writer.write.reset_mock()
-
-    # Immediately try again — should be locked
-    await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
-
-    messages = [call[0][0] for call in player.writer.write.call_args_list]
-    assert any("still recovering" in msg.lower() for msg in messages)
-
-
-@pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_defense_works_after_lock_expires(player, dodge_left):
-    """Test defense works after recovery lock expires."""
-    await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
-
-    # Fast-forward past the lock
-    player.defense_locked_until = time.monotonic() - 1.0
-    player.writer.write.reset_mock()
-
-    await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
-
-    messages = [call[0][0] for call in player.writer.write.call_args_list]
-    # Should succeed, not say "still recovering"
-    assert not any("still recovering" in msg.lower() for msg in messages)
-    assert any("dodge left" in msg.lower() for msg in messages)
-
-
-@pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_defense_lock_uses_timing_window(player, dodge_left, moves):
-    """Test defense lock duration matches move's timing_window_ms."""
+async def test_defense_blocks_for_timing_window(player, dodge_left):
+    """Test defense sleeps for timing_window_ms (commitment via blocking)."""
     before = time.monotonic()
     await combat_commands.do_defend(player, "", dodge_left)
+    elapsed = time.monotonic() - before
 
-    expected_lock = dodge_left.timing_window_ms / 1000.0
-    # Lock should be roughly now + timing_window
-    assert player.defense_locked_until >= before + expected_lock - 0.1
-    assert player.defense_locked_until <= before + expected_lock + 0.5
+    expected = dodge_left.timing_window_ms / 1000.0
+    assert elapsed >= expected - 0.05
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_defense_in_combat_queues_on_encounter(
     player, target, punch_right, dodge_left
 ):
-    """Test defense in combat queues on encounter AND applies lock."""
+    """Test defense in combat queues on encounter and shows move name."""
     await combat_commands.do_attack(player, "Vegeta", punch_right)
 
     await combat_commands.do_defend(target, "", dodge_left)
@@ -387,7 +357,9 @@ async def test_defense_in_combat_queues_on_encounter(
     encounter = get_encounter(target)
     assert encounter is not None
     assert encounter.pending_defense is dodge_left
-    assert target.defense_locked_until > 0
+    # In combat: full move name (not "the air")
+    messages = [call[0][0] for call in target.writer.write.call_args_list]
+    assert any("dodge left" in msg.lower() for msg in messages)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio