Basic Blocking Techniques (Uke Waza)

Blocking techniques are a highly developed part of karate.  The blocks are so powerful that they discourage further attack of your assailant.  The blocks, although defensive in nature, are so strong that they can almost be called an attack.

Many students spend most of their time practicing on attacking techniques.  These are certainly a great importance, but it should never be forgotten that continual practice in the basics and most especially the basics of blocking, it is by far the more important.  After all, if your blocks are perfect – you really don’t need to know anything else. 

The blocks must stop, turn, or deflect an attack.  We use not only our hands and arms, but elbows, knees, legs and feet.  The block should be followed instantly with a strong and decisive counter attack.

A strong block should unbalance our opponent as well as cause a shock in pain to his arm or a leg.  The goal of a defensive block is to stop your opponents attack.  In this you will fail if your blocks are weak, miss directed or poorly made.

 

Gedan Uke (Leg Block)
Since the leg block must stop or deflect a powerful kick, it must be made with corresponding power.  The downward block should end at approximately six inches above the knee.

It is very important to keep the block at this distance from the leg.  If your arm is lifted too high, the kick will come under it and you will be struck in the groin or stomach.  If the arm is too close to the body the kick, will pass over it and strike your upper body, chin or face.

Be sure or to maintain a good strong stance at all times. If you are standing with your legs to straight, your blocks will lack power and you’ll probably loose your balance.

As in most all of the basic blocks, the leg block may use a Shuto (open hand) or Tetsui (hammer fist).

There are many variations of the leg block, but it is a essential that the leg block be perfected by all students.  Of all the blocks this is the most important because it must stop the most powerful of all attacks.

Chudan Uke (chest block)
Chudan Uke is a forearm block against a body attack.

As in all the techniques, the fist and wrist must be held firmly for maximum effect.  If the wrist is to lose, the block will lose much of its effect in power.  Do not reach too far out to make contact with this block.  The elbow should be fairly close to the waist.

Do not over block.  That is, do not attempt to push the deflected thrust too far to the side.  If the blow misses ½”, that is as good as if it missed two feet.

Shuto Chudan Uke (open hand chest block)
It is sometimes more effective to use the open hand for the chest block.  This is especially true if you desire to make a securing grasp after the block.  

This technique can be made from the inside out, or from the outside in.

Once again is important not to reach too far in making this block, but keep the elbow well bent and close to the body.

The same block can be done with Tetsui.  Tetsui blocking is very effective because of its extreme power.

 

 

Jodan Uke (head block)
In an attack for the face or head, we block from underneath upward.  The blocking arm travels on a curved path.  The blocking arm travels upward and outward in its course until it strikes the opponent’s arm and then stays or returns to position in front of your forehead above eye level.

The back of your fist is upward, and if there is any slant to it to the forearm, it should slant downward toward the elbow.

In all blocks one must not dodge or try to hide the head or eyes, but use great determination to keep the entire attack in view.

The striking surface in this block includes about three or four inches of the bony section next to the wrist.

The stance and position of the feet is just as important in the blocking techniques as they are in the attack.

The head block can also be performed with the open hand (shuto).  In this case the little finger edge of the hand makes contact instead of the back of the wrist.

It is very important to form the habit of using a counter attack the split instant after contact is made with the block.

It is sometimes necessary to use both hands at the same time for head block this can be done with either the wrist crossed as in an “X” block, or with the fists almost touching.