Martial artists worldwide practice Shotokan, an effective, empty-hands style of karate, developed by an educator named Gichin Funakoshi. The self-defense techniques of Shotokan karate are swift and very powerful. The art of Shotokan is practiced within many universities and recreational clubs.
Downward Block
Shotokan karate practitioners use the downward block to protect the lower portion of the body. The downward block is used to protect the lower torso and legs. Generally, the downward block would be used to avoid an opponent's kicking technique, such as a kick that is directed toward your waist, hip or knee areas. The downward block is also used in self-defense against an attacker who swings a weapon such as a stick, baseball bat or a club.
Forearm Block
A forearm block mainly protects the midsection of Shotokan karate practitioner's body. The forearm block is executed in a powerful motion that resembles a striking technique, though the goal is to disrupt an attacker's strike. A Shotokan karate practitioner is taught to apply the forearm block to avoid weapons-based attacks, such as those from a knife or a club. The forearm block is effective for self-defense against punching and kicking techniques that are directed toward your stomach or chest areas.
Knife-Hand Block
Using the lower edge of the hand, a Shotokan karate practitioner can protect the middle areas of her body, such as the stomach and chest areas, with a block that uses an open fist. Knife-hand blocks allow Shotokan karate practitioners to quickly grab or use chopping motions, due to the unclenched fist or open hand, while performing self-defense techniques. Conditioning exercises are performed during training to strengthen the areas of the hand and the palm.
Rising Block
Shotokan karate practitioners are trained to defend head-level strikes with the rising block. Typically, the rising block works best to defend against an object, such as a bat, a stick, a knife, a club or a fist, that is swung in an overhead and downward motion. A Shotokan karate practitioner should frequently train for speed, power and focus, because timing plays a critical role when executing the rising block; a failed blocking attempt could result in a strike to your head.
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