In the last blog, you learnt about Basic Stances in Karate Practice. This one will be about the application of blocks using those stances. There are 5 basic blocks – Upward Block, Downward Block, Inner Forearm Block, Outer Forearm Block, and Knife Hand Block.

They are generally practiced in a Horse Stance for improving accuracy and form. The Karateka assumes the Horse Stance and holds both his palms in a fist, with the fist facing upward and the elbows protruding backwards. The Karateka then starts with the blocks, generally beginning with the left hand. For the second block, while the right hand moves to block, the left hand is retracted to its original position with a "pull back" while the right hand completes it. All the blocks can be practiced in this form.

The above blocks, especially the first four, are also used in a Forward Stance while defending against the opponent's attack. When the Karateka is in a forward stance, the Karateka blocks the opponent’s attack with the appropriate block. The block is always on the leading foot. However, the Knife Hand Block is used in a back stance with the Karateka's leading hand executing the block against the attack, the block always being on the leading foot.

All the above blocks can be used in a forward moving action or backward moving action depending on the type of the defense. These combinations of blocks using forward stance or back stance and their forward and backward movements are used in Kihon, Kata and in Kumite practice and form a basis of most of the defence movements used in Karate Practice.

Now that you know how to use these blocks and stances, you can use them better in practice. Keep at them, and you will get better and confident. Our next blog will be on the Application of Punches using Stances.