Uke Waza (blocking techniques)

 

This is what Gichin Funakoshi has to say about practicing blocks:

Gedan barai (low block): although it is a blocking technique, it is preferable to present the Gedan-barai (low block) from now on in the following exercises. First, adopt the Zenkutsu posture, left leg forward, left arm extended so that the fist is about fifteen centimeters above the knee, fingers pointing towards the ground. Likewise, when the right leg is advanced, it is the right arm which is forward. The body is three-quarters (in the Hanmi position) to the right, that is, the hips are turned at an angle of about 35° to the front, around a vertical axis. The upper-body must lean, neither forwards nor backwards, this is an important point valid for all postures. The training consists of repeating the exercise by moving forward or backward with each block. Whether stepping forward with the right leg or stepping back with the left, bring the right fist locked diagonally from the waist to the left shoulder, then whip down, locking in sync with the movement of the legs. Simultaneously the left fist is withdrawn at the waist in a locked position, just above the hip, with the fingers up. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, Gedan-barai is used to block a frontal attack by the opponent and you have to work with this idea in mind. Practice both sides in this way, alternating each side.

Jodan age-uke (upper-level rising block). The preparation position is the same as for Gedan-barai. The extended arm above the front leg is raised in a concave inward and upward motion, then throws upward, the forearm tilted to block a blow to the face. After blocking, it is possible to block with the other arm in the same way by moving forward or backward; the arm that goes up (the one doing the blocking) and the one that is withdrawn must cross at the level of the face. The movement of crossing the two arms should be interpreted as a dislocation technique carried to the arm with the aid of which the opponent has just executed his attack. We grab this arm with the hand that has just blocked and we pull it down while using the arm that goes up to exert a violent push on it at the crossing point.

Chudan shuto-uke (middle-level knife hand block). As shown in figure 11, one adopts the Kokutsu dachi stance, with the command to stand ready (Yoi). With the right leg advanced, bring the right hand up to a point above the left shoulder and in a circular motion slightly downward, bring it to the right so as to deflect a frontal attack from the opponent. The elbow is vertical to the right leg at the end of the blockage, the arm is bent at a right angle, forming a slight hook towards the inside of the body. At this moment, the upper-body is straight, the eyes, the blocking hand and the front foot directed towards the opponent, the hips are in profile. The training consists of performing sets by moving forward or backward, while blocking alternately from the right and the left, the body must be placed as if to dodge the frontal attacks.