Cross-body block
Morote-uke (literally: “pair-of-hands block”), or the cross-body block, is the basic Goshin-Jutsu defense maneuver, which takes any attack above the solar plexus or diaphragm, and safely redirects it aside.
To set up cross-body blocks, cross your forearms horizontally in front of your chest, at breast level. The blocking arm is on the bottom, and the top arm pushes down on it. Likewise, the bottom arm pushes up on the top arm. This tensions allows the block to spring into position, rather than being set in place.
To throw the technique, pull the top hand to the same-side hip, as to set up a counterattack. As mentioned earlier, the bottom hand springs out, snapping into position. Do not swing the fist out; pull the elbow in to snap the technique. The block ends with the upper arm parallel to the floor, and at a 90° angle with respect to the chest. The forearm is vertical, with the hand clenched in a fist. The forearm makes a 90° angle to both your chest and the floor. The block contacts the opponent with the meaty part of the forearm, since it is nicely padded.
When done correctly, cross-body blocks slightly turn your opponents, compromising their balance, stance, and position; this leaves them open to counterattacks.
A common mistake with cross-body blocks is swinging the blocking arm too far out to the side, like in the photo below:
[photo of overextended cross body blocks from the front and side]
Remember, the block should always be directly in front of the shoulder, not outside the shoulder. Overextending blocks makes them structurally weaker. Even worse, over-traveling blocks result in slower techniques which require more time and energy to recover from. A clever or skilled opponent could capitalize on this awkward position to set up joint manipulations (like the americana) or a takedown (like shihō-nage).
To prevent this, never block attacks; block yourself from attacks. Overextending a block is invariably caused by trying to make contact with attacks which have already been successfully evaded or redirected. A blocks do not have to make contact to succeed -- it doesn’t matter where the opponent’s attack goes, as its misses. Blocks are just insurance policies.
