X-block
Jūji uke literally translates as “Figure-10 block.” Since the Japanese character for the number ten (jū) looks like a plus sign, all cross-shapes are “Figure-10's”. Keeping with the spirit of the name, we call jūji uke the X-block, for obvious reasons. The X-block is an uncommon defense, which it is only appropriate against exaggerated attacks to your centerline, such as:
- a grid-iron football punt to the groin.
- a lunging punch to the abdomen.
- a downward strike with a club.
However, X-blocks work amazingly well in these cases. X-blocks require little strength, and they automatically set up sleeve/wrist grabs and several joint manipulations (e.g., kote-gaeshi, nikkyō, and shihō-nage).
Techniques must be re-chambered twice as fast as they go out, and the X-block demonstrates why this is so crucial. If an opponent rushes in while your hands are crossed, they can push your forearms together, pinning and trapping both of your arms to your chest.
Downward X-block
To perform a downward X-block, chamber both hands at the hips. Then, as you enter a front stance, shoot both hands downward at 45° angles. Cross your forearms just above the wrists; by convention, the lead hand is always on the bottom. This traps or jams the opponent’s attacks between your wrists. It is imperative to employ the Unbendable Arm Technique to keep your arms from buckling; otherwise, the block will collapse and fail.
Do not fully-turn your wrists; If the X-block fails, their attack to strike your seiken, and it become a double punching block.
Alternately, X-blocks can be performed with open hands, with your fingers pointing out to the sides, and contacting with the shutō. This trades the second-chance punching block for a speed bonus on follow-up sleeve/wrist grabs and joint manipulations.
Rising X-block
A rising X-block is just like a downward X-block, except the hands shoot upward at 45° angles.
[Video of a rising X-block, slow and fast, from the front and side, with both open and closed hands.]
