SM-6 BLOCK IB - THIS WILL BE A GAME CHANGER !!
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High Block·Defense Updates
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High Block
SubFamily上段受け(Jōdan Uke)
TraditionalTranslation: upper level block
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
High blocks are among the most ancient and universal defensive techniques, found in virtually every martial arts tradition from Japanese karate to Filipino arnis to European historical martial arts. [1] The traditional rising block (age uke) is one of the first techniques taught in most karate systems. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Used in all striking competitions. [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
✓The high block raises the forearm above the head to intercept downward or overhead strikes — common in karate (age uke) and self-defence
✓Raise the forearm diagonally across the forehead with the fist slightly above head height
✓The blocking surface is the outer edge of the forearm — hard bone that absorbs impact effectively
✓In karate, age uke (rising block) deflects downward strikes by sweeping the forearm upward and outward
✓The high block is primarily used against: hammerfists, overhead strikes, and downward elbows
✓In boxing and MMA, the high guard (both arms raised) serves a similar function against hooks and overhands
✓After the high block, the arm is raised and ready for a downward counter (hammerfist, elbow) or the other hand fires a straight counter
Common Mistakes
!Blocking directly overhead — angle the forearm so strikes deflect to the side rather than driving straight down through the block
!Blocking too far from the head — the forearm should be close to the forehead, not a foot above it
!Dropping the other hand while raising the block — the non-blocking hand must protect the chin and body
!Blocking with a limp arm — the forearm must be firm at the moment of contact
!Over-committing to the high block and exposing the body — keep the elbow as close to the body as possible
!Not countering after the high block — immediately fire back; the opponent's arm is extended
!Using the high block against straight punches — it's designed for overhead/downward attacks
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] The Kyokushin Way (Oyama, 1979) [3] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)
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] The Kyokushin Way (Oyama, 1979) [3] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)
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
Age Uke
GenusAge Uke (rising block) is the traditional karate high block where the forearm rises upward in an arc to intercept a downward-striking attack, deflecting it up and away from the head. [1] The block is executed by driving the forearm from a low chambered position upward in a sweeping motion, with the blocking surface being the outer edge of the forearm (pinky side). [1,2] The block finishes with the forearm angled above the forehead, slightly forward of the head, creating a roof-like structure that deflects attacks overhead. [2,3]
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Cross Block
GenusThe Cross Block (juji uke) crosses both forearms in front of the head to create an X-shaped blocking structure that intercepts powerful overhead or straight attacks. [1] The cross block uses both arms simultaneously, creating a stronger barrier than single-arm blocks at the cost of momentarily occupying both hands in defence. [1,2] The cross block is used against high-power attacks like axe kicks, overhead hammerfists, or weapon strikes where a single-arm block might be insufficient. [2,3]
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Forearm Block
GenusThe Forearm Block raises the forearm horizontally above the head to create a shield against high strikes, using the flat surface of the forearm to absorb and deflect incoming attacks. [1] Unlike the rising block (age uke) which sweeps the arm upward, the forearm block positions the arm in a fixed horizontal position overhead, creating a static barrier. [1,2] The forearm block is commonly used in boxing and MMA as a protective ceiling against looping overhand punches and hammer fists in the ground-and-pound position. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does the High Block work?
The 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. High blocks are essential for defending against overhead attacks, high kicks, and downward-angled punches.
Where does the High Block come from?
High blocks are among the most ancient and universal defensive techniques, found in virtually every martial arts tradition from Japanese karate to Filipino arnis to European historical martial arts. The traditional rising block (age uke) is one of the first techniques taught in most karate systems.
Is the High 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 High Block?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the High Block?
The standard setup chain: Read the Attack → Position the Guard → Absorb Impact → Counter or Reset.
How do I defend against the High 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 High 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 High Block in competition?
Used in all striking competitions.
What are common mistakes when doing the High Block?
Top errors to watch for: Blocking directly overhead — angle the forearm so strikes deflect to the side rather than driving straight down throu… / Blocking too far from the head — the forearm should be close to the forehead, not a foot above it / Dropping the other hand while raising the block — the non-blocking hand must protect the chin and body / Blocking with a limp arm — the forearm must be firm at the moment of contact.
What are other names for the High Block?
The High Block is also known as Jōdan Uke, Jodan Uke, Rising Block, Overhead Block.