Good morning Fubarrrr! How are we all doing today? I just wanted to say hello and hope you have enjoyed my posts to date. Now on to the meat of the matter!
Last time we covered strikes that are common not only to TKD but to most all forms of martial arts. Today I would like to cover blocks. These all important piece of any fighters repertoire are invaluable. Whether your looking at a point spare match or a full contact all out brawl. A block can literally save your life or create that opening to shot an attack through. Blocks for the most part are performed by the hand or arms. There are a few that use other body parts and we will cover, but not dwell on these.
Blocks:
Low block - basic of the basic blocks, Its what the 4 year olds learn their first day, but one that blackbelts can use with devastating results. This block is chambered (started) at the shoulder opposite the side that will be blocked. The arm and hand is then driven down at an angle till it ends approximately at the area close to the knee. Many push past this but this can be dangerous as it provides an opening for a counter strike to be driven through. The hand forms a fist with the palm facing towards the knee.
Inside out middle block - this is another basic of basic blocks. This one (for lack of a better visual) is accomplished by taking the blocking hand and placing it across the body at a low angle as if grabbing a sword to be drawn out of a scabbard. The hand then is pulled into a "muscle pose" slightly in front and to the side of the face (about eye level)Muscle pose meaning like you were flexing your bicep.
Outside in middle block - Same but to chamber the arm you start above the shoulder on the same side as the arm that is blocking. The arm than comes across the body in a sweeping move to end on the opposite side in a similar position as the inside out block.
High (face) block - This block can be a valuable piece of a fighters arsenal as it protects your head and face! (I value mine!) This is chambered in the same manner as the inside out middle block. The block is achieved by rolling the arm up the chest past the face till it rests just above your hair line and out away from the face slightly. The fist is at an angle where the thumb is down and the palm is out. This can be useful in blocking many types of kicks as well as punches.
Knife hand block - A more advanced technique. This is chambered with the blocking hand being pulled up to the cheek of the opposite side with the palm open (no fist). The hand is then pushed out away from the body to a soft angle (both hand and arm) meaning not straight and not bent to far. This is a fast block that can create alot of torque to stop an attack.
These are the basic blocks. More advanced blocks are introduced at the 5th Kup level. These are as follows:
Sparrow block - One of my favorites as it is a beautiful strike/block combo requiring body and mind to perform. This is chambered by placing the striking hand open palm behind the head on the same side as the attacking arm. The second hand then is placed opposite cheek open palm as well. Both hands then move in unison. The striking hand performing a knife hand strike and the blocking hand rolling up to an open palm (palm out) face block. Tricky to learn but fun to watch!
Double knife hand block - this is also a fun block, used allot in higher level poomse. To perform this block one takes both hands and stretches behind (opposite the attack). The back hand goes straight back about neck level palm down (open fist) the other hand follows the first back, pulled across the chest and chambered similar to the knife hand block. Both hands are then pushed forward with the front hand ending in a regular knife hand block and the back hand ending in a palm up position protecting the sternum (just under the center piece of the ribs). This block can be moved mid to low (front arm extending to a low block)
Push block - This is similar to the knife hand block, but the hand forms a fist with the palm side out.
Double fist block - same as the double knife hand with the hands forming fists rather then open palm.
Palm block - this is a sweeping block. The hand starts in one of two positions. Either on the side resting on the hip with with palm open (cupped like drinking water from it) or high near the ear on the same side as the arm with the palm facing out towards the attacker. The block is then brought across the body sweeping the attack out of the path of the body. either in a downward or a cross body pattern based on the desired angle.
X block - This block is typically used to block knees or kicks such as the axe (well discuss that further). This is chambered in one of two ways. either on the side of the chest about nipple high (for lack of a better location!). With one hand in the traditional resting position (fist closed, palm up) and the other hand fist closed palm back so the fleshy part of the hand rests on the wrist of the opposite hand. The second method is with the hands both pulled to each side of the chest in resting position. Then in either case the hands are fling forward either low or high forming an X with the arms, typically locked across the wrist forming a strong straight arms stop to the attack.
That is pretty much it for hand/arm blocks. There are a few leg blocks that are used, rarely taught, but can come in handy. Most of these names I have placed here myself as the technique is not been taught, but only learned through sparring.
Shin block - seen allot in Mui Tai fighting this is simply bringing the leg up to an almost side/back kick chamber stopping the attackers kick with the shin or knee area.
Cross leg block - this is where one brings the leg up in a position similar to a roundhouse kick and instead of flinging the foot out one simply pushes it out. Useful for stopping an opponents attack and allowing you to get angle for your own attack.
Push kick - A kick, but can be considered a blocking method as well. This is done similar to a front kick, but instead of snapping in and out the body moves forward with the kick and as soon as it makes contact the body pushes out to either push the opponent off balance or to stop their forward momentum.
Check block - similar to the push kick, but done with either a side kick or a step behind side kick. very useful for stopping an opponents forward momentum and throwing them off their planned attack.
Foot block - This is a difficult technique. Used more in other styles then TKD. The foot goes forward and turns out to reveal the arch to the opponent. Useful in stopping front kicks, axe kicks, etc. Or even just to slow down movement.
Reverse foot block - Similar to the Foot block. but the foot is brought up to the shin. This can be either in front or behind the leg. The kick then is cupped and stopped with the bottom of the foot again.
There may be other blocks that I have missed. I will try racking my brain today and make sure its covered as thoroughly as possible. If I do find others I will update this post! Thanks for reading, and you stay classy Fubar!
