Difference between revisions of "Blocks"

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Karate is only to be used in extreme situations when someone is in real danger of injury or death. For this reason, [[Karate_ni_Sente_Nashi|there is no first strike in karate]]. ''The opponent is always the belligerent party'', so every karate [[Kihon|exercise]], [[Waza|drill]], and [[Kata|form]] begins with a blocking technique.
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The Japanese word for '''blocking techniques''' is '''uke''' (literally, “receiver”). This rootword is also used to describe [[Breakfalls|breakfalls]] (ukemi), because blocks are much like breakfalls; you don't stop the opponent’s techniques, ''you receive them''. An attack is just a gift of momentum -- a malicious gift -- but a gift. Accept that gift -- take that momentum -- and then take it somewhere else. We don’t care where the opponent’s attack goes, or what it does, as long as it misses you. This is why [[Goshin-Jutsu]] typically foregoes the “hard blocks” of other karate styles; our blocks are more like “aggressive parries.” We focus more on redirecting an attack and closing in, rather than standing our ground and bruising the attacking limb.
  
The Japanese word for blocking techniques is uke (literally, “receiver”). This is also the rootword for the [[Breakfalls|breakfall]] techniques (ukemi). Blocks are much like breakfalls; you don't block the opponent’s techniques per se, ''you receive them''. An attack is just a gift of momentum -- a malicious gift -- but a gift. Accept the gift -- take that momentum -- and then take it somewhere else. We don’t really care where the opponent’s attack goes, or what it does, as long as it misses. This is why [[Goshin-Jutsu]] typically does not use the “hard blocks” like other karate styles; ours are more like “aggressive parries.” We focus more on redirecting an attack and closing in, rather than standing our ground and bruising the attacking limb.
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Karate is only to be used in extreme situations where someone is in real danger of injury or death. For this reason, [[Legal_implications#Karate_ni_Sente_Nashi|there is no first strike in karate]] and the opponent must ''always'' be the belligerent party. This is why every karate [[Waza|drill]], and [[Kata|form]] begins with a blocking technique.
  
A plethora of techniques to block, parry, and ward off an opponent’s attacks are listed below. Again, blocking techniques are most effective when combined with an [[Evasions|evasion]]. ''Evasions are defenses; blocks are insurance.''
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A plethora of techniques to block, parry, and ward an opponent’s attacks are listed below. Remember that blocks are most effective when they are combined with a simultaneous [[Evasions|evasion]]. '''Evasions are defenses; blocks are insurance.'''
  
 
*[[Cross-body block]]
 
*[[Cross-body block]]
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*[[Downward-fist block]]
 
*[[Downward-fist block]]
 
*[[Shutō block]]
 
*[[Shutō block]]
*[[Ude-uke]]
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*[[Ude uke]]
 
*[[X-block]]
 
*[[X-block]]
 
*[[Grasping block]]
 
*[[Grasping block]]
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*[[Hammerfist block]]
 
*[[Hammerfist block]]
 
*[[Scooping block]]
 
*[[Scooping block]]
*[[Kakiwake-uke]]
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*[[Kakiwake uke]]
 
*[[Crescent kick block]]
 
*[[Crescent kick block]]
 
*[[Nami-ashi uke]]
 
*[[Nami-ashi uke]]
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*[[Thumbknuckle block]]
 
*[[Thumbknuckle block]]
 
*[[Kakutō uke]]
 
*[[Kakutō uke]]
*[[Nagashi uke]]
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*[[Sweeping block]]
 
*[[Chūdan uke]]
 
*[[Chūdan uke]]
 
*[[Wedge technique]]
 
*[[Wedge technique]]

Latest revision as of 17:25, 19 January 2021

The Japanese word for blocking techniques is uke (literally, “receiver”). This rootword is also used to describe breakfalls (ukemi), because blocks are much like breakfalls; you don't stop the opponent’s techniques, you receive them. An attack is just a gift of momentum -- a malicious gift -- but a gift. Accept that gift -- take that momentum -- and then take it somewhere else. We don’t care where the opponent’s attack goes, or what it does, as long as it misses you. This is why Goshin-Jutsu typically foregoes the “hard blocks” of other karate styles; our blocks are more like “aggressive parries.” We focus more on redirecting an attack and closing in, rather than standing our ground and bruising the attacking limb.

Karate is only to be used in extreme situations where someone is in real danger of injury or death. For this reason, there is no first strike in karate and the opponent must always be the belligerent party. This is why every karate drill, and form begins with a blocking technique.

A plethora of techniques to block, parry, and ward an opponent’s attacks are listed below. Remember that blocks are most effective when they are combined with a simultaneous evasion. Evasions are defenses; blocks are insurance.