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Techniques -
Basics: Blocks
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Blocking form is important as it is one of the fundamental areas of the
basic techniques. In fact, it is known that many of the old masters
would teach only blocking form for months on end until they were
convinced that their student understood the techniques before moving
on. This underscores the importance of blocking form. A few important
points should be noted about blocking form.
Blocking form in traditional martial arts is not just a block but a
strike. That is, if you are close enough to an incoming technique to
successfully block that technique, then you should be able to
simultaneously strike the opponent. (See the section entitled "Block Strike") Thus, the block also included a
method for striking. This difference between simply blocking and using
the block as a strike can be difficult to learn at first. So do not
worry if it remains beyond your grasp at first. Simply remember that
the block gives an opportunity to use the block as a strike. Then once
you are more advanced you can come back to your basic blocking form and
experiment again.
Moreover, there are two types of blocking form: hard and soft
or closed and open. The hard blocking form is the most commonly used
type and often includes a striking technique within the blocking
movement, as described latter on. The hands are generally closed into a
fist and the muscles are contracted when executed. The second type of
block is the soft block. This block is characterised by the use of the
open hand or empty palm and the muscles in the arms are not contracted
during execution of the technique. That is, the soft block can be
interpreted more as a redirection than a block. However, when the open
hand is used as a knife hand technique this block can be as devastating
as the hard closed fist block/strike.
Another important note about blocking form, as mentioned
earlier, is that it is always better not to block at all. Particularly
when we are novice students, we believe that a good block is very hard.
However, the most effective blocks are soft blocks. We should always
remember the important phrase: “It is better to block softly and hit hard, than hit softly and block hard”. Truer words were never spoken.
So, even though blocking form is an essential part of basics it is also
a form of last defence as it includes the possibility of being injured
during the execution of the block. In summary, if you have the option
of blocking or escaping then you should most probably escape, as it is
the safest thing to do. Here are the three options and their level of
desirability:
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Blocking and Escape Form Interrelation |
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Hard Blocking |
Last resort, high potential for injury |
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Hard Blocking |
Acceptable, lower potential for injury |
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Escaping |
Desired, least potential for injury |
The blocking forms that will be covered are as follows:
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Basic Blocking Forms |
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Direction * |
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Outward Upper Block |
#1,#3 |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
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Inward Upper Block |
#2 |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
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Outward Lower Block |
#1,#3 |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
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Inward Lower Block |
#2 |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
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* The direction indicates the escape direction when
escaping from a left stance, as shown in the
section
entitles Escape Forms. |
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Special Basic Blocking Forms |
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Overhead Cross Block |
Straight On |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
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Lower Cross Block |
Straight On |
Closed Fist |
Knife Hand |
The 8 possible escape directions in schematic form are
presented below for completeness. The student should review the section
entitled, "Escape Forms" before moving on. 
As you can see from the above, blocking may be performed with
either a closed fist or open knife hand. The closed fist technique is
considered more basic. However, it is also considered the most safe as
the fingers are protected when the fist is closed. The knife hand
blocking form can be devastating when correctly performed but often is
difficult for beginner students as the efficacy of the technique
depends on block/striking the exact pressure points in either the
attacking arm or leg.
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