BASIC BLOCKS: STANDING
Low Block
a) fold: the right fist extends in front of the solar plexus with palm down. The left fist folds to the ear (with the palm facing the ear). Folds are done simultaneously; the left elbow and right elbow bends are nearly touching.
b) block: the right fist pulls back to the hip while the left hand blocks. The left fist is 6 to 8 inches above the knee, parallel to the thigh.
Wrists snap to the opposite position:
right wrist palm up, left wrist palm down. The left arm (fist to elbow) protects against an attack to the lower part of the body.
High Block
a) fold: the left fist (blocking hand) folds in front of the right hip, palm up. The right fist folds palm clown over the left wrist. Wrists are touching but not resting on each other and are at right angles.
b) block: the right fist pulls back to the hip, palm up, at the same time the left fist blocks upward, palm facing outward. The arm is in an arc; the wrist is above the head with the forearm at a 45 degree angle to protect the head against attack.
Knife Hand Block
Knife Hand Block
a) fold: the right fist extends in front of the solar plexus, palm down. The left hand is in a knife hand position with the palm facing toward the right ear. The left elbow and right elbow bend are nearly touching.
b) block: the right fist pulls back to the hip, palm up. At the same time, the knife hand (left hand) blocks across the face to protect the face from attack. Note: The left elbow bends over the left knee, and the left fingertips are at eyebrow level. In a knife hand, the left palm is facing forward, and the outer blade of the hand is at a slight angle to the body.
Inside Block
Outside Block
Knife Hand Block
a) fold: the fight fist extends palm down in front of the solar plexus. The left hand folds to the left ear, with the fist nearly touching the ear with the palm facing forward.
b) block: the fight fist pulls back to the hip, palm up. The left fist blocks past the right side of the face, palm facing inward with knuckles at eyebrow level. The left arm, forearm to fist, thus protects the upper right side of the body and face against attack.
Outside Block
Outside Block
Outside Block
a) fold: the left fist (blocking hand) folds in front of the right hip, palm down. The right fist folds palm down over the left wrist. The wrists are touching but are not resting on each other.
b) block: the right fist pulls back to the hip, palm up, at the same time the left fist blocks in an outward motion past the left side of the face. The left palm is facing inward with the knuckles at eyebrow level. The left elbow sinks toward the knee and is slightly forward. Therefore, the left arm, forearm to wrist, protects the upper left side of the body and face against attack.
Parry Block
Outside Block
Outside Block
A parry block is an open hand (with fingers together) block that strikes in a pushing or slapping motion rather than in the traditional block form.
The most common parry blocks are inside parry blocks and low parry blocks.
BASIC RULE: Never reach for a block; otherwise, form and balance are affected. The student should be able to:
1) recover quickly and counter; and
2) keep from exposing vulnerable body parts. Reaching past the perimeter of the body reduces response time and is wasted motion.