Input timing

Well, here's a question from a bloody newbie
I've occasionally played Virtua Fighter from time to time since almost two years, but usually ended up stopping pretty fast because this game just used to get me angry at it and I ended up almost smashing around the controller.
But now I want to give it another chance. I started with Akira (well, ok, that's maybe not the best character to start a "VF-Career" with ), got the combo list from this page and, because my other consoles aren't here, started with Virtua Fighter 32X. Now my problem is, I think, about the timing. First of all, the block button seems to be pretty useless - I never manage to block any attacks (how do I have to block, if not by pressing block when the enemy attacks?). At the other side, whenever I try to do a bigger attack move (like, let's say, the Knee or the Body Check) either the enemy smashes me away before I manage to finish smashing in the combination or the game just doesn't accept the command the way it should.
I hope someone of you pro's can help me. Thanks in advance!

 

It's been too long since I played VF1 but i'm sure some of the older players here will be able to help you out.