Ukekata (Blocking Techniques)

• Jodan-uke (High block)
• Chudan-uke (Middle block)
• Gedan-barai (Lower block)

Jodan-uke (High block)

Start with the wrists crossed in front of the chest, with the blocking hand on the outside. Punch upward so that the wrist rises to forehead height about a fist distance from the forehead while chambering the other fist to cover the ribs on the opposite side. Keep the blocking forearm at a 45° angle. At the point when the forearm contacts the incoming strike, twist the fist so that the thumb is on the bottom and the palm faces forward.

Chudan-uke (Middle block)

Start with the wrists crossed in front of the chest, with the blocking hand on the outside. Rotate the blocking arm toward the shoulder while chambering the other fist to cover the ribs on the opposite side. Bend the blocking arm at a 90° angle in front of the body with the elbow about a fist distance from the abdomen and the wrist at shoulder height. At the point when the forearm contacts the incoming strike, twist the fist so that the thumb is on the outside and the palm is up.

Gedan-barai (Low block)

Start in a Zenkutsu-dachi (Front-leg-bent stance) with the same leg forward as the blocking arm. Cross the arms in front of the body, with the blocking arm’s fist up, in front of its opposite shoulder and the other fist down, in front of its opposite hip. Sweep the blocking fist down over the forward knee until the blocking arm is straight and the elbow is about a fist distance from the abdomen, while chambering the other fist to cover the ribs on the opposite side. At the point when the forearm contacts the incoming strike, twist the fist so that the thumb is on the inside and the palm is down.