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Types of Blocks

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  • Grab Blocks. A grab block is a modification of a standard block. A standard block is performed in its normal way, except, at the finish of the block, a grab is used. As the block finishes, the hand grabs the attacking limb. For example, when using a middle outer forearm block to block a punch coming straight at the face:
    • Immediately after the block makes contact with the attacker's arm, open the fist, drop the wrist over attacker's arm, and lower your arm until the hand makes contact with and grabs the attacking arm.
    • The attacker may then be pulled or pushed into a counterattack, throw, choke, sweep, etc.
    • The blocking arm may have a closed fist or an open hand. The open hand may telegraph your intentions if you normally fight with closed fists. The closed fist protects the fingers from injury in case the block goes wrong. Even if the opponent cannot be pulled or pushed into a counterattack of some type, he or she may be off balanced enough by the grabbing and holding of the arm to permit a counterattack.
  • Layered Blocks. Layered blocks are when one block is applied atop another block and make it stronger. For example, a pressing palm block may have another pressing palm block applied atop it to reinforce the first block.
  • Braced Blocks. Braced blocks are when a block is reinforced by the other arm to make it stronger. For example, the fist of the other arm may be pressed against the inside of the elbow of an inner forearm block to make it much stronger.
  • Double (Twin) Blocks. Double blocks are blocks where both arms perform blocks at the same time to make the block stronger. For example, twin inner forearm blocks to stop a powerful round kick.
  • Wedge Blocks. Wedge blocks block and wedge between two attacks aimed at the same target. For example, if the attack is twin punches to the face or a two-hand throat grab, a wedge block uses two arms to come up between the two arms block them and wedge them apart so neither reaches its target.

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