1) Overhead

The overhead block is used to deflect movements aimed at the head.

Setup

When practicing, start with one hand in the chamber and the other in the block. The blocking arm is raised over the head. The hand is in a fist and the wrist is flat. The elbow is bent so that the forearm is cross the centerline of the body. The blocking fist just above the head and about one fist width in front. The thumb of the blocking fist is just visible above the opposite eye. The forearm is rotated so that the fist faces away from the body.

Execution

The blocking arm above the head drops down in front of the body to cross the chest as the forearm rotates so that the fist faces the chest. At the same time, the chambered fist moves out of the chamber, up towards the chest. The arms should cross in front of the chest, making an "X", with the arm that will be doing the next block on the outside.

When in the stance, the feet are parallel to each other and about one shoulder widths apart. The knees are slightly bent. Grip the floor with your toes

2) Inside

The inside block is used to deflect movements aimed at the torso. The block will catch the technique on the thumb side of the forearm and sweep the technique across the body.

Setup

When practicing, start with one hand in the chamber and the other in the block. The blocking arm is in front of the body. The hand is in a fist and the wrist is flat. The elbow is bent so that the forearm is in line with the centerline of the body. The elbow is in front of the stomach and the blocking fist is shoulder height. The blocking forearm should point from the fist down to the elbow to the navel. The blocking arm forms a 90 degree angle. The forearm is rotated so that the fist faces the body.

Execution

The blocking arm pivots at the elbow and falls parallel with the ground. Keep the upper arm stationary. At the same time, the chambered fist moves out of the chamber, across the stomach. The arms should cross in front of the stomach, parallel with each other, with the arm that will be doing the next block on the bottom. The new blocking arm then pivots at the elbow (keep the upper arm stationary), bringing the fist up to shoulder height. Meanwhile, the arm that has just completed the previous block retracts horizontally back into the chamber.

3) Outside

The Outside block is used to deflect movements aimed at the torso. The block will catch the technique on the little fingerside of the forearm and push the technique across the body.

Setup

When practicing, start with one hand in the chamber and the other in the block. The blocking arm is in front of the body. The hand is in a fist and the wrist is flat. The elbow is bent so that the forearm is in line with the centerline of the body. The elbow is in front of the stomach and the blocking fist is shoulder height. The blocking forearm should point from the fist down to the elbow to the navel. The blocking arm forms a 90 degree angle. The forearm is rotated so that the fist faces the body.

Execution

The blocking arm straightens out into a guarding position (it looks just like a punch). At the same time, the chambered fist leaves the chamber, and raises so that the fist is next to the ear. The fist's thumb is below the little finger and the fist is facing out (as if you are holding a telephone receiver upside-down). From this position, the fist moves away from the ear and arcs around in front of the body. Do not let the arm straighten out to much. While arcing around, the elbow drops so that when the arm has moved to the center of the body, the forarm is perpendicular to the floor and in line with the centerline of the body. Meanwhile, the arm that has just completed the previous block retracts horizontally back into the chamber.

4) Downward

The Downward block is used to deflect movements aimed at the lower torso and groin. The block will catch the technique on the little finger side of the forearm and push the technique across the lower body.

Setup

When practicing, start with one hand in the chamber and the other in the block. The blocking arm is in front of the body. The hand is in a fist and the wrist is flat. The elbow is slightly bent so that the forearm is in line with the center line of the body. The elbow is in front of the stomach and the blocking fist is down below the groin. The forearm is rotated so that the fist faces the ground. In essence, the block looks like a very low punch.

Execution

The chambered fist leaves the chamber, and raises so that the fist is next to the opposite ear.. The fist's thumb is above the little finger and the fist is facing the ear. From this position, the fist follows down the blocking arm put to the front of the body. As the fist nears the end of the downward motion, the forearm rotates so that the fist faces the ground. At the same time, the arm that has just completed the previous block retracts up and back into the chamber.