AOKK Traditional Isshin-ryu: High Block (Jodan Age Uke)
AOKK Traditional Isshin-ryu: High Block (Jodan Age Uke)
This is one of the basic blocks taught to beginners. In the early days of karate training a student would be taught one block and they would practice this block against all types of attacks until they could deflect any blow. Later, as the student became more skilled, they would be expected to move and deflect attacks using this block. This is one of the blocks that is a specialty. It does not totally protect the core but if it is executed correctly, it can still protect the centerline targets.
Every system has some version of the high block. It too is made with the forearm. Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei changed the methodology of how to deliver this block like the middle and low block. Most systems strike with the side of the arm (Ulna bone). Tatsuo changed the block, so that the impact is made to Flexor muscles and the Ulna and Radius bones. This spreads the impact across two bones and the musculature of the forearm. This block shoots up the center of the core and stops on an angel above the top of the head. This block is made with the forearm and must be on an angle. The center of the forearm should be above the center of the head.
The fist of the hand delivering the high block starts at the waist. The block then pushes upwards towards the head covering all centerline targets. The rear hand is positioned across the centerline targets on an angle to begin this technique. This provides protection of the student’s face initially. As the high block moves upwards, the rear hand is pulled to the obi (belt). As the block begins the hips are also turned slightly as an added cover to the centerline targets. Hips and shoulders rotate into position while weight is transferred to the front leg from the back and all movement stops at the same time for maximum generation of power. The forearm of the blocking arm stops over the center of the head.
This technique can also be a strike. Driving the forearm under the attacker’s chin can stop an aggressive opponent. Many instructors think this technique is necessary to stop an overhead strike by a weapon. If you study weapons, you see the weakness in this philosophy. Trying to stop an overhead strike with your arm, will result in a broken arm if your goal is to stop the weapon, yet if the block is driven under the opponent’s armpit during the arch the strike is rendered benign while driving the attacker backwards.
The fortress block covers all centerline targets at the first positioning of the arms. Even as the arms are rotated into position these centerline targets continue to be protected. This scissor motion covers the targets. The high block simply moves the opponent’s arm away from the target. It is the entire block that covers the core as it is being executed.
The most important part of this block is the fortress block or covering technique. It’s the first position you pull your arms when executing the block. This is where the blocking hand is pulled to the hip and the chambering hand covers the head or face. This is the real block. This position covers vital areas that can be attacked. The actual high forearm block is only the redirection of the attacker’s blow. The adversary’s arm can be pushed up, down, or sideways with your blocking arm. In this example (High Block) it is pushed upward and above the top of the head. Most karate schools teach this covering before making the block, but they do not understand why they perform this move while executing the technique. Beginners are taught to close both hands into fists. This prevents broken fingers or having them accidentally being dislocated. It also prevents the student from sticking their finger in places where they do not belong like their training partner’s eyes. With a higher understanding of the technique, both hands or a single hand can be opened in the fortress position. The open hand enables parry blocking and trapping of the opponent. Remember the block happens when the arms are crossed and not when the forearm and fist are pushed into position.
This same technique can be used to remove an attacker’s grasp. Not every block in a kata is blocking a strike. The first step is performed like the simple high block with the arms cross covering all centerline targets. The difference is the hand near the face is open. In a real defense the shoulders can also be turned slightly to protect the centerline targets. The traditional teaching of this technique is with hands closed and shoulders square. Open hands can expose the student’s fingers to being jammed or dislocated. Many students believe techniques, like the high block, can only be applied to a punch, kick, or some other kind of strike. In reality this technique can be used to remove a grasp or set up a locking technique. As an example, let’s look at a simple lapel grasp. Parry the attacker’s hand from your lapel with the hand near the face. The lower hand protects the lower targets like the groin. Push the attacker’s arm upward with your forearm. Reverse punch to the attacker’s liver with the hand that parried the opponent’s grasp from the lapel. This example shows that the blocking technique does not only apply to strikes.
