❌DON'T❌ Turn Your Hips!?!?｜Gedan Barai Aiki-Jujutsu Style
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Gedan Barai·Karate Dojo waKu·Added by Admin
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Gedan Barai
Genus下段払い(Gedan Barai)
TraditionalTranslation: lower level sweep
Overview
Gedan Barai (downward sweeping block) is the traditional karate low block where the forearm sweeps downward in a diagonal arc across the body to intercept a low-level attack targeting the midsection or groin. [1] The block is executed by driving the forearm from a high chambered position across the body and downward, deflecting the attack down and to the side. [1],[2] Gedan barai is one of karate's fundamental blocks and appears in virtually every beginner kata, serving as the primary defence against low-level attacks in traditional karate. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Gedan barai is effective as a sweeping defence against low-level attacks in traditional karate practice and kata. [1] In full-contact competition, the large sweeping motion is considered too slow against fast leg kicks, and fighters typically use the shin check or simple leg lift instead. [2] The technique retains value in point-fighting karate where the rules allow time for classical blocking form. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
Gedan barai (downward block) is a standard karate block used in kata and kumite. [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
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
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
✓Gedan barai (downward sweeping block) sweeps the forearm downward to deflect low attacks — kicks, groin strikes, and low punches (Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan, 1935)
✓The arm sweeps from the opposite shoulder diagonally down across the body to the outside of the knee
✓Contact is made with the outer forearm — the arm sweeps like a pendulum, deflecting the attack to the side
✓Gedan barai is typically the first block taught in karate — it establishes the fundamental sweeping motion used in all blocks
✓The block finishes with the fist approximately one fist-width above the knee and slightly in front of the thigh
✓The non-blocking hand chambers at the hip (hikite) — this generates power through the counter-pulling motion
✓In application, gedan barai is used against front kicks, low round kicks, and groin strikes
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping too far past the body — the block should stop at the outside of the knee, not swing past
!Not starting the sweep from the opposite shoulder — the cross-body starting position generates the sweeping force
!Bending forward during the block — maintain upright posture; only the arm moves downward
!Blocking with a limp arm — the forearm must be firm at the moment of contact
!Not chambering the non-blocking hand — hikite (pulling hand) adds power and sets up the counter
!Sweeping the arm straight down instead of diagonally — the diagonal sweep deflects the attack to the side
!Dropping the chin during the downward sweep — keep the head up and eyes on the opponent
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
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] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [2] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)
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] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [2] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)
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
How should I direct my energy when performing gedan barai instead of wasting it?
Instead of dispersing energy through your hips and into the ground, use a vertical axis that directs the force straight down. According to Karate Dojo waKu, this approach eliminates wasted energy that would otherwise leave your body in multiple directions.
What's the key to making gedan barai work as a grip break?
Gedan barai can be used to break a grip, but Karate Dojo waKu emphasizes there's a more efficient way: direct your body weight downward and pull simultaneously, using gravity and the mat rather than relying solely on hip rotation and horizontal force.
How do I know if I'm performing gedan barai correctly when defending against pressure?
If you feel pressure starting to increase toward the ground during the technique, it means you're directing force incorrectly. Practicing with a partner is important for developing the awareness to feel this feedback and adjust your execution.
How does the Gedan Barai work?
Gedan Barai (downward sweeping block) is the traditional karate low block where the forearm sweeps downward in a diagonal arc across the body to intercept a low-level attack targeting the midsection or groin. The block is executed by driving the forearm from a high chambered position across the body and downward, deflecting the attack down and to the side.
Where does the Gedan Barai come from?
Gedan barai is one of the foundational blocks in Okinawan and Japanese karate, appearing in the earliest training methods and kata. It is one of the first techniques taught to karate students worldwide and appears in the first kata (Taikyoku Shodan) of the Shotokan curriculum.
Is the Gedan Barai 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 Gedan Barai?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the Gedan Barai?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Gedan Barai?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Gedan Barai?
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 Gedan Barai in competition?
Gedan barai (downward block) is a standard karate block used in kata and kumite.
What are common mistakes when doing the Gedan Barai?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping too far past the body — the block should stop at the outside of the knee, not swing past / Not starting the sweep from the opposite shoulder — the cross-body starting position generates the sweeping force / Bending forward during the block — maintain upright posture; only the arm moves downward / Blocking with a limp arm — the forearm must be firm at the moment of contact.
What are other names for the Gedan Barai?
The Gedan Barai is also known as Gedan Barai, Downward Sweep Block, Low Sweeping Block, Gedan Uke.