Forearm Block

Genus

Translation: forearm block

Range & classification

Overview

The 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]

Also known as

Forearm Shield^[1]Arm Block^[2]Hard Forearm Cover^[3]

Used in

Karate Muay Thai Krav Maga MMA Taekwondo

History & Origin

The forearm block is a practical defensive technique used across martial arts styles, with its simplest form being one of the most instinctive defensive reactions to overhead attacks. ^[1] In MMA ground fighting, the forearm block became a critical defence against ground-and-pound strikes. ^[2],[3]

Country of origin· shown in random order

Japan前腕受け(Zenwan Uke)Karate
ThailandMuay Thai
IsraelKrav Maga
BrazilMMA
USAMMA
KoreaTaekwondo

Effectiveness

The forearm block is one of the most practical defensive techniques across all striking arts, using the dense bone and muscle of the forearm to absorb or deflect incoming strikes. ^[1] In Muay Thai, the forearm block against body kicks is considered a staple defence because it protects the ribs while allowing the defender to remain balanced and ready to counter. ^[2]

Lineage

Forearm blocks are documented in virtually every striking martial art, from karate's chudan uke to Muay Thai's arm shield to Western boxing's high guard. ^[1] The technique is universal because of the forearm's natural durability as a blocking surface. ^[2]

Competition Record

Forearm blocks are standard defensive techniques in karate and other striking arts. ^[1]

Images

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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

Variants

High block — forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead strikes

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

Videos

Donato Nardizzi

Twin Forearm Block - Taekwon-Do Lesson #18

Forearm Block·Donato Nardizzi·Added by Admin

This video shows you how to perform a Twin Forearm Block. Recommended for 8th kup grade studentsand above, the video exp…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Moderate3/10

Blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

WBC/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 2024PDF

Kyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}

— WT — Legal

WT Competition Rules 2024PDF

— WAKO — Legal

WAKO Competition RulesPDF

K-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}

— IFMA — Legal

IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The forearm block uses the forearm as a rigid barrier to absorb or redirect strikes — the most common defensive structure in striking arts

✓The outer forearm (ulna bone side) is the primary blocking surface — it's the hardest part of the forearm

✓Hold the forearm vertically to block hooks, horizontally to block overhands, or at a diagonal to block uppercuts

✓In MMA and boxing, the forearm block is constantly active: both forearms frame a guard around the head and body

✓Keep the forearms close to the body — the block is stronger when the arm has structural support from the torso

✓The forearm block is versatile: it handles hooks, overhands, hammer fists, elbows, and body shots

✓Train the forearm block by having a partner throw light strikes while you maintain your guard — develop the reflexive tightening

Common Mistakes

!Blocking with the inside of the forearm (soft side) — use the outside (ulna bone) for a harder surface

!Extending the forearm away from the body — the block is strongest close to the body

!Blocking with a single forearm for every strike — use both forearms and adjust the angle to match the incoming strike

!Tensing the entire arm and shoulder — tense only at the moment of impact, then relax

!Blocking without seeing the strike — look through your guard; don't hide behind it

!Not keeping the forearms close together — gaps between the forearms allow strikes through

!Blocking hooks with a horizontal forearm — hooks need a vertical forearm; adjust the angle to the strike direction

Related Techniques

Parry — complementary defensive technique redirecting rather than absorbing Counter-Attack — offensive follow-up that capitalizes on successful defence

Counter Techniques

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

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] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [3] Fighter's Fact Book (Christensen, 2000)

2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988)

3SyllabusJapan Karate Association (JKA) — Official Technical Terminology

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] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [3] Fighter's Fact Book (Christensen, 2000)

6CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988)

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)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the correct arm position when performing a twin forearm block?

According to Donato Nardizzi, you must twist both forearms at the same time, and they cannot both be in the same position—one arm should be on the inside slightly on top for the side block while the other is positioned differently for the rising block. Make sure the outer forearm of the side block is in line with the center of your shoulder, with the fist at shoulder level and elbow bent 45 degrees.

How should my body be positioned when finishing a forearm block?

When you finish the block, your body should be half facing, and you should drop 70% of your weight onto the rear leg in L stance. The block should finish as you step down into L stance while breathing out at the same time.

How can I generate more power in my forearm block?

Donato Nardizzi recommends jerking your abdomen at the end of the block to get more weight behind the side block, which increases power and effectiveness.

Where should the rising block's inner forearm be positioned relative to my head?

When performing the rising block as a primary block, your inner forearm should be 7 centimeters from your forehead and in line with your forehead, with your elbow bent at 45 degrees.

How does the Forearm Block work?

Where does the Forearm Block come from?

The forearm block is a practical defensive technique used across martial arts styles, with its simplest form being one of the most instinctive defensive reactions to overhead attacks. In MMA ground fighting, the forearm block became a critical defence against ground-and-pound strikes.

Is the Forearm 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 Forearm Block?

Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking

How do I set up the Forearm Block?

The standard setup chain: Read the Attack → Position the Guard → Absorb Impact → Counter or Reset.

How do I defend against the Forearm 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 Forearm 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 Forearm Block in competition?

Forearm blocks are standard defensive techniques in karate and other striking arts.

What are common mistakes when doing the Forearm Block?

Top errors to watch for: Blocking with the inside of the forearm (soft side) — use the outside (ulna bone) for a harder surface / Extending the forearm away from the body — the block is strongest close to the body / Blocking with a single forearm for every strike — use both forearms and adjust the angle to match the incoming strike / Tensing the entire arm and shoulder — tense only at the moment of impact, then relax.

What are other names for the Forearm Block?

The Forearm Block is also known as Zenwan Uke, Forearm Shield, Arm Block, Hard Forearm Cover.

forearm block zenwan uke defence striking interception defence block high block karate muay thai krav maga mma taekwondo forearm shield arm block hard forearm cover