There Are No Blocks In Karate!

[sensei8]

In Shindokan, we teach a myrid of "Blocking" techniques. Should one view our curriculum, one would see that we teach approximately 34 "Blocks" leading up to Shodan.

However, the term "Block" is extremely general in it's content, but it's context is uncomplicated, therefore, it's more easily understood by the laymen. What will be discovered, in its own time, as one's karate matures is that the "Blocks" are indeed counters. That bears repeating in a different manner...There are NO "Blocks" in karate; only counters!

For example, Gedan Barai (Downward Block) is performed as a 2-step movement. That "Block" is way to slow to be effective against anything. Even still, each and every "Block" that's used in any kata are performed with the 2-step approach. A "hidden" technique comes alive and understood with one exclamation...AHA!

In Gedan Barai (Downward Block), the "Blocking" hand goes up beside/near ones ear on the opposite side, while at the same time, the other hand crosses ones body with ones hand by ones groin; this is the chamber position...step #1.

The "Blocking" hand travels in a downward motion, and just stopping on the outside of ones body, while at the same time, the other hand travels/returns to ones same side by and/or near ones hips; this completes the "Block"...step #2.

Against, for example, Mae Geri (Front Kick), this kick is simply way to fast to incorporate the 2-step movement. By the time the Mae Geri is returning from it's target, the Gedan Barai (Downward Block) is beginning to finish; hence, the Gedan Barai (Downward Block) has just missed.

Cure: Stop chambering the darn thing...just use the lead hand straight into the "Block"/COUNTER! This, of course, is for another topic/thread.

That's the "Block"! Now to what the "Block" truly is; it's a COUNTER!

For example, let's say that your attacker is reaching out for you to grab your shirt/label. Just bear with me here, and hopefully, you'll see Gedan Barai (Downward Block) just as it's meant to be performed in any Kata.

First step: In the kata, your blocking hand is traveling towards your ear on the opposite side. Nomenclature of the COUNTER is...Grab one of the fingers of your attackers outstretched hand as your attacker attempts to grasp your shirt/label. Now I've got a firm hold onto my attackers finger/knuckle. I then rotate my attackers hand back and under and then upward...that is Gedan Barai's step #1, as seen in Heian Shodan, for example. I'll know my Tuite is working because my attackers body has changed from one extreme to another, and if I've done it properly, my attacker is also standing on their tip-toes.

All the while, keep pressure on the finger joint/knuckle so that control is maintained continuously.

Second Step: In the kata, your blocking hand is traveling downward to the immediate outside of your body. Nomenclature of the COUNTER is...Rotate your attackers hand with their palm facing downward, and then at almost the same time, start pressing downwardly WHILE stepping backwards and continue to do so until your attacker is prostrate before you...that is Gedan Barai's step #2, as seen in Heian Shodan, for example. I'll know my Tuite is working because my attackers body has once again changed from one extreme to another, and if I've done it properly, my attacker is now lying down. What one does after that is entirely up to you.

What you've just completed was a COUNTER, not a block. Remember, Bunkai is the analysis of what one does in any said kata. Sure, I guess Gedan Barai (Downward Block) could be used to deflect a kick/punch, but, there are no blocks in karate, only counters.

Hopefully, in your minds eye, you can see how the movements of Gedan Barai as executed in, for example, Heian Shodan are nothing more than a 2-step counter, and that's it's not a "Block" at all. Next time you perform kata and a "Block" is called upon, you'll "see" the counter instead, and that you'll start to explore the many possibilities of your Bunkai.

[bushido_man96]

Nice explanation, Bob. Its different than we do our down blocks, but I see the reasoning here.

[Dobbersky]

I agree the word "Uke" translated from Japanese to english means "to receive".

I alway teach my students that the "block" are actually deflections or strikes. We tend to use Mikuri (absorbtion), Tai or Ashi Sabaki (body movement) as a means of prevention of being struck by an opponent, the "uke" is as stated a just a counter.

"Gedan Barai" - translated correctly means "Lower Sweep" the same as "Ashi Barai" which means "Foot Sweep"

I love the fact that the smallest bone and easiest to break bone in the lower arm is "slammed" into the toughest bone of the Shin (one which is used to break baseball bats) as a "block"

Western Boxing, Aikido, Enshin and Ashihara Karate tend to show the more effect "parry" than "hard block" of Traditional/Classical Karate

[sensei8]

"Gedan Barai" - translated correctly means "Lower Sweep" the same as "Ashi Barai" which means "Foot Sweep"

Yes, you're absolutely correct. I used "Downward Block" for the laymen of the martial arts so that it [block] would be more easier understood.

Btw, your post was solid!

[sensei8]

Nice explanation, Bob. Its different than we do our down blocks, but I see the reasoning here.

Thanks Brian. How different is yours from ours? Thanks in advance!

[bushido_man96]

Nice explanation, Bob. Its different than we do our down blocks, but I see the reasoning here.

Thanks Brian. How different is yours from ours? Thanks in advance!

The blocking hand starts up by the ear, palm towards the ear, and the reactionary hand is up high as well, crossed on the outside of the blocking hand. This is basically a protection for the head...the outside hand stops the movement, the inside arm reinforces this, and then the inside arm can move down to strike, intercept, or whatever.

[sensei8]

Nice explanation, Bob. Its different than we do our down blocks, but I see the reasoning here.

Thanks Brian. How different is yours from ours? Thanks in advance!

The blocking hand starts up by the ear, palm towards the ear, and the reactionary hand is up high as well, crossed on the outside of the blocking hand. This is basically a protection for the head...the outside hand stops the movement, the inside arm reinforces this, and then the inside arm can move down to strike, intercept, or whatever.

Aha, and thans Brian!

[joesteph]

I love the fact that the smallest bone and easiest to break bone in the lower arm is "slammed" into the toughest bone of the Shin (one which is used to break baseball bats) as a "block"

A very good point, which is why it's better to

. . . "parry" than "hard block"