Block, Strike, Draw and Shoot
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Block·Lionquest Fitness
A look at coordinating blocks and strikes with firearm techniques using the Ruger Security Nine Compact. Also, some olde…
Block
Family受け(Uke)
TraditionalTranslation: block / reception
Overview
The Block family covers defensive techniques that physically stop incoming strikes by interposing a rigid body part — typically the forearm, shin, or elbow — in the path of the attack. [1] Blocks are the most direct form of striking defence, using hard surfaces of the body to meet the incoming strike and prevent it from reaching its target. [1],[2] Blocks are classified by the height and direction they defend — high blocks protect the head, middle blocks protect the torso, low blocks protect the legs, and elbow blocks use the elbow's hard surface to damage the attacker's striking limb. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Blocking is the most basic striking defence used in all combat sports competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intercepting an incoming strike using a rigid arm, forearm, or shin structure to absorb or redirect force
Joints Involved — Forearm and elbow (primary blocking surface), shoulder (positioning), core (absorbing residual force)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the incoming strike — meeting the attack at an angle dissipates force across the blocking surface
Defensive Mechanic — Hard blocks absorb impact directly; soft blocks redirect the strike's trajectory away from the target
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Maintain guard position, raise the forearm or shin to intercept the incoming strike before it reaches the target
As reactive defence — When the attack is detected, move the blocking limb into the strike's path to absorb or deflect the force
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Blocks absorb incoming strikes on hard defensive surfaces — forearms, shins, and elbows — to prevent them from reaching vulnerable targets (Haislet, Boxing, 1940)
✓The four main block categories in striking are: high block (overhead), middle block (body-level), low block (leg-level), and forearm/elbow block (close range)
✓Blocks are the last line of defence — use footwork and evasion first, blocks when those fail
✓A good block redirects force rather than absorbing it head-on: angle the blocking surface so strikes glide off
✓In Muay Thai, the shin check (lifting the leg to block a kick with the shin) is the fundamental kick defence
✓Keep the guard tight during blocks: elbows close to the body, fists at chin level, chin tucked
✓Block and counter as one unit: the block stops the attack, the counter exploits the opening — never block without an immediate follow-up plan
Common Mistakes
!Blocking with the hands instead of the forearms — forearms provide a harder, wider blocking surface
!Reaching out to block — keep the blocks close to the body; reaching out creates openings
!Blocking every strike when evading would be more efficient — blocks absorb impact; evasion avoids it entirely
!Tensing the entire body during blocks — tense only the blocking limb; the rest stays relaxed for movement
!Dropping the guard after blocking — immediately return to full guard position
!Blocking without countering — every block should flow into a counter-strike
!Looking away while blocking — keep eyes on the opponent to anticipate the next strike
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Read the Attack — recognize the incoming strike trajectory
2Position the Guard — place the blocking limb in the path of the strike
3Absorb Impact — brace for contact and deflect force away from vital targets
4Counter or Reset — immediately follow with a counter-attack or return to stance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
6CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm conditioning, reaction speed, structural stability
Favours
dense bone structure, strong forearms
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, deltoids, biceps, core (absorbing impact)
Sub-techniques
Elbow Block
SubFamilyThe Elbow Block subfamily covers blocking techniques where the fighter uses the elbow — one of the hardest and most durable bones in the body — to intercept incoming strikes, both defending the target and potentially damaging the attacker's striking limb. [1] The elbow block is a double-purpose defence: it protects the body behind it while presenting a sharp, hard surface that can cut, bruise, or break the attacker's hand or shin upon contact. [1,2] Elbow blocks are used primarily against body hooks, low kicks, and strikes to the midsection. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
High Block
SubFamilyThe High Block subfamily covers blocking techniques that defend the head and upper area by raising the arm or arms above the head to intercept downward or horizontal strikes targeting the head. [1] High blocks are essential for defending against overhead attacks, high kicks, and downward-angled punches. [1,2] This subfamily includes traditional karate-style rising blocks (age uke), cross blocks (both arms crossed overhead), and forearm blocks used in boxing and MMA. [2,3]
3 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Long Guard
SubFamilyThe Long Guard subfamily covers the defensive posture where one or both arms are extended forward, creating a barrier at maximum arm's length that disrupts the opponent's attacks before they develop full power. [1] The long guard uses the extended arm to obstruct the opponent's vision, block punches at their origin, and maintain distance through constant hand contact with the opponent's head or shoulders. [1,2] The long guard is distinct from standard blocking because it is proactive — it disrupts attacks before they launch rather than intercepting them in flight. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Low Block
SubFamilyThe Low Block subfamily covers blocking techniques that defend the lower body — legs, midsection, and groin — by positioning the arms or legs downward to intercept low-targeting attacks. [1] Low blocks are essential for defending against leg kicks, low punches, and kicks targeting the body below the ribs. [1,2] This subfamily includes traditional karate-style downward sweeping blocks (gedan barai) and the Muay Thai shin check, which uses the shin to block incoming leg kicks. [2,3]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
Middle Block
SubFamilyThe Middle Block subfamily covers blocking techniques that defend the midsection and torso area by positioning the forearm horizontally or diagonally to intercept strikes targeting the body. [1] Middle blocks protect the vital organs of the torso — ribs, solar plexus, liver — from punches, kicks, and knees. [1,2] This subfamily includes inside-to-outside blocks (soto uke), outside-to-inside blocks (uchi uke), and knife-hand blocks (shuto uke), each sweeping the forearm across the body from different starting positions. [2,3]
3 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Notes
Blocking appears in 7,254 passages across our corpus — the most referenced defensive action. In karate, the four fundamental blocks (age-uke, soto-uke, uchi-uke, gedan-barai) are taught before any offensive technique. In boxing, blocks use the gloves and arms to catch punches. (200+ books; Nakayama, Dynamic Karate)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I practice blocking while keeping my firearm safe?
Lionquest Fitness emphasizes keeping your non-blocking arm away from your gun during block, strike, and draw drills to maintain safety while integrating defensive movement.
When should I transition from blocking to drawing my weapon?
If an attacker continues advancing despite a warning or begins drawing their own weapon and you have no time to issue a verbal challenge, that is when you would transition to drawing and firing.
How does the Block work?
The Block family covers defensive techniques that physically stop incoming strikes by interposing a rigid body part — typically the forearm, shin, or elbow — in the path of the attack. Blocks are the most direct form of striking defence, using hard surfaces of the body to meet the incoming strike and prevent it from reaching its target.
Where does the Block come from?
Blocking techniques are found in every martial arts tradition worldwide, from karate's formal blocking katas to Muay Thai's shin checks. The systematic classification of blocks by height (jodan, chudan, gedan) was formalised in Japanese karate traditions.
Is the Block legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Block?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the Block?
The standard setup chain: Read the Attack → Position the Guard → Absorb Impact → Counter or Reset.
How do I defend against the Block?
Standard counters include: Feint — fake an attack to draw out the block then strike the opening / Level Change — switch attack levels to go around the blocking defence / Combination — throw multiple strikes to overwhelm the single defensive response.
What are the variants of the Block?
Common variants: High block (forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead…); Low block (forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes); Cross block (forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side); Double forearm block (both forearms together for maximum coverage).
How effective is the Block in competition?
Blocking is the most basic striking defence used in all combat sports competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Block?
Top errors to watch for: Blocking with the hands instead of the forearms — forearms provide a harder, wider blocking surface / Reaching out to block — keep the blocks close to the body; reaching out creates openings / Blocking every strike when evading would be more efficient — blocks absorb impact; evasion avoids it entirely / Tensing the entire body during blocks — tense only the blocking limb; the rest stays relaxed for movement.
What are other names for the Block?
The Block is also known as Uke, Guard Block, Hard Block.