Direction of Power

To stop an attack, hard, attack blocks should make contact perpendicular to the surface of the attacking limb and at a 90-degree angle to the path of the attack. A deflecting soft block should make contact at a sharper angle so the attack is redirected but not stopped. You should meet strength with weakness (deflect) and meet weakness with strength (attack).

Forearm Rotation

Blocks gain in power if you twist the forearm into block as it contacts the attacking limb. Just as the snap used in punching, snapping the forearm into the block, transfers your force to the attacking limb. When this occurs, your arm causes injury without being injured.

Hip Rotation

As in all Taekwondo techniques, snapping the hip into a block transfers your body mass into the technique for additional power. There are two ways to pair a technique with hip rotation: with the rotation (inner forearm block) or against it (outer forearm block). When the technique is going against the direction of hip rotation, it is generally weaker.

Position of the Arm

If the blocking arm ends in a position that is too far from the body, greater range is achieved but with a loss in power. If the arm ends too close to the body, the attack may not be stopped in time but the block has more power. In the ideal position, effective range and power are achieved. For example, with an inner forearm block, if the block ends with the forearm vertical, the block has move coverage and may hit with more power, but it may not stop a punch before it strikes its target. If the block ends with the forearm too extended, it has a longer reach but its coverage is smaller and it has less power. The ideal forearm ending position is extended at a 45-degree angle for good coverage, good range, and good power.

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