BLOCKS *The blocks are usually taught from the squat stance, but can be utilized from any position. High Block Bring the right forearm across the front of the body at belt level with the fist palm up. Raise the forearm vertically to a position just above head level. Rotate the forearm and fist during execution of the block so that in the end position the little finger side of the fist is uppermost. Tense the muscles of the shoulder and arm at completion of the movement. The idea of the block is to sweep the area from shoulder to shoulder upward, adding snap at the end of the movement for more power. Alternate blocking arms by using the left arm to execute a rising block and elbow smashing to the rear with the right. Down Block(Low Block) Bring the right fist to the left shoulder, sweep down and across the left side to the right knee. Tighten the muscles of the blocking arm and shoulder at the end of the movement. Alternate by sweeping the extended arm across to the left knee while bringing the left fist to the right shoulder. Execute a left down block while elbow smashing to the rear with the right. Inside Block (referred to in some martial arts as an outside to inside block) Bring the right arm up and to the side forming a right angle and the bicep level with the shoulder, palm of the fist facing forward. Sweep across the body from the outside to the opposite side with the forearm. Rotate the forearm adding torque to the movement by turning the fist little finger facing towards the left. Outside Block (also known as inside to outside block) Begin by bringing the right forearm to the left side as in the High Block. Swing the right forearm up and to the right, sweeping a fan shaped area in front of the face. The end position is the arm bent 90 degrees at the elbow, with the bicep and upper arm at shoulder height. The palm of the fist should be towards you. Do not swing the arm out to the side. Keep the elbow pointed straight forward. A good check for this is to bring the fist towards the shoulder. If incorrect the fist will move towards the head. Reverse Outside Block Bring the right forearm up and to the left side, palm facing to the rear with the bicep and upper arm near shoulder level. The forearm should be in the vertical position as opposed to the horizontal starting position of the regular outside block. Sweep the forearm across the body to the right side while twisting the palm of the fist to the front for added snap. X or Cross Block The X block is a supported block used when the expected strike might be too powerful for a single arm to stop. It can be utilized for strikes coming from a variety of directions. The following instructions are for an overhead strike. Push the fists up and across to the opposite sides in front of the body above the head so that the forearms form a "X", with the palms of the fists facing to the sides. The forearms should touch "bone to bone" about six inches down from the wrists. Make sure that the "weaker" arm meets the force first. If right handed the left will receive the main blow and vice-versa. This insures that: you will slow the blow down enough for the preferred arm to finish the task; and if the weaker arm is injured, the preferred arm can still defend and attack. Long or Extended Blocks There are three long blocks that protect the same area as the corresponding short blocks except that the blocking surface intercepts the strike at a greater distance away from the body. To insure that the head is protected lift the elbow slightly and extend the wrist. Long Inside Block Start the same as in the short inside block but extend the block at about a 45o angle forward towards the inside. Bend at the wrist extending the fist towards the opponent and lift the elbow slightly. Long Outside Block Start the same as in the short regular outside block but extend the block forward at about a 45o angle. Lift the elbow slightly and bend the wrist, extending the fist forward. Long Reverse Outside Block Start the same as in the short reverse outside block but extend the block forward at about a 45o angle. Lift the elbow slightly and bend at the wrist extending the heel of the fist forward.