Jodan -Uke
is effective against punches or kicks to the head. The following key
points should be remembered:
-
Speed is more desirable than power. All the power in the world wont help
your block of you don't react fast enough. Try to redirect the strike rather
than stop it.
-
Never over-extend a block.
Reaching too far with a strike will waste energy and make you vulnerable to
secondary strikes.
-
Move your body.
Don't stand still when blocking. use angles to increase the effectiveness of the
block.
-
Always exhale when
blocking. This increases power to the technique and helps protect you by
contracting the abdominal muscles.
-
Execute the block in
such a way that contact is closer to the elbow than the wrist.
Practice blocking techniques
in front of a mirror. This way you can see what you are doing. I carry
this over into my dojo and when working with students, I will perform the mirror
image of what I am teaching.
Starting in Kibi-Dachi (horse stance). Right hand is in the chamber (by the rib
cage, fist closed / palm up), left arm is bent (almost 90 degrees) in front of
and above the head (fist closed / palm in). Turning the right palm
outward, bring the bent right arm upward crossing the chest, stopping above the
head, while bringing the left arm, down into the chamber. The right arm
passes in front of the left arm. Repeat for opposite side.
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Remember, without safety, there can be no
Jujitsu.