Basic Blocks

* Cross Block
* Up Block
* Outside to Inside Block
* Inside to Outside Block
* Down Block (Down Parry)

The cross block is an alternative to the classic "Up Block", but also positions you better to capture the opponent's arm so that you can execute techniques against it:

We will use this cross-block on a number of techniques.

Other blocks are:

The video starts with the Taekwondo "Joonbi" command to bring the student to the "ready".  For us, we just call "Ready".

All blocks are shown with left hand first, then right hand.

All of these blocks can be done open-handed, and sometimes that is even preferred, for capturing the opponents arm or leg. 

Regardless of the block, the "blocking" part of the arm is the boney outside ridge of the arm, and not the meaty inside part of the arm.  That means that an "Inside Block" goes from outside to inside with the palm facing you, and an "Outside Block" goes from the inside to the outside with the palm facing away from you.  High block has palm away, thus meeting the target with the boney ridge of the arm.  The "Down Parry" is different, because it is not actually a block.  You might actually use it as a leg grab, and your grabbing hand might be inward or outward, depending on the situation.

(1) Up Block. 

(2) Outside to Inside Block.  The wind-up for this block has variations, depending on the school.  Some bring the fist back to the ear-- this video does not.  

(3) Down block.  Never try to block a leg with an arm like this.  It makes sense for point-contact or limited-contact competition sport styles (such as taekwondo), but not for combat.  We do a "down parry block" (usable in combat) rather than a "down block".   Parry and deflect.

(4) Inside to Outside Block.  Again, the wind-up for this block has variations, depending on the school.