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 Technical Forum

Use this block to defend largely against high overhand downward strikes from an aggressor. While basically defending the head, it still maintains the same concepts and form of the other blocks.

Using the leading arm from the neutral bow stance, the arm travels upward with the elbow moving in toward the centerline until the arm is vertical. The arm should ‘snap’ into place with the center third of the arm in position to receive the blow and protect the head from a strike. When in position, the blocking arm will actually utilize the 45° angle in all three dimensions - height, width & depth. After the block is placed, the hand should be able to simply be lowered back down into the neutral bow position. It is vital that the arm receive the blow at the 45° angle to deflect the force of the blow away, as opposed to taking the blow squarely on the arm.

• Although there is more movement in this block than the inward or extended outward blocks, the same core principles apply. Sifu described a 45° gabled roof as a visual reference for position in which the blocking forearm should be in at the point of interception of the strike.
• As with the other blocks, a common beginner’s mistake is to lead with the elbow. Consider the arm and fist as a single unit and move that unit to intercept the incoming threat. The elbow will simply follow the blocking arm and line up largely of its own accord. It also helped me to think of the block as a strike, utilizing my blocking arm as the effecting weapon.
• Another visual reference that we use in class is to picture an imaginary cube elevated in front of your head. Assuming you are in a left neutral bow, when in position the left elbow will be in the left corner of the cube closest to you and the fist will be in the opposite right hand corner at the top. This will create the correct angle that the arm should be in when intercepting the strike.