Guards

A guard is an arm and body position that offers a degree of protection against attacks without any other movement or conscious thought. Although a guard is not actually a block, it serves as a block when it prevents an attack from getting through, and it is the starting position for most blocks.

Basic Guard Position

• Hands in fists held just below cheekbones with palms toward face
• Forearms almost vertical and close together.
• May also be used with the hand held in a knife hand shape or a ridge hand shape.

Middle Guard (Used as a guard against middle attacks)

• Outer. Lead arm is held in a middle outer forearm block. Trailing arm is held horizontal across the solar plexus with the palm up. Used in many patterns.
• Inner. Lead arm is held in a middle inner forearm block. Trailing arm is held horizontal across the solar plexus with the palm down.

Low Guard (Used as a guard against low attacks)

• Outer. Lead arm is held in a low outer forearm block. Trailing arm is held horizontal across the solar plexus with the palm up.
• Inner. Lead arm is held in a low inner forearm block. Trailing arm is held horizontal across the solar plexus with the palm down.