Day one: Basic Beginner Blocks!🎬

So what are basic blocks?

Single arm blocks which protect a chunk of the body as opposed to a more advanced block which protects a specific spot. These blocks don’t require much skill or awareness. We only know they are striking our lower, middle or upper body.

High block (Olgul makki) 얼굴막기

Middle block (Momtong makki) 몸통막기

Down/low block (Arae makki) 아래막기

These basic blocks have the most value for beginning practitioners. For how simple they are, they are also effective. Even if these are all you learn, you’ll be much better off in a practical self-defence situation.

The best tips for basic blocks:

1. Use two hands
2. Keep wrist straight
3. Make sure the blocks stay close, but also cover the area they are blocking
4. Twist at the end
5. Apply your power at the end
6. Use the hips, apply your power from the ground up!
7. Squeeze the fist, it may make contact with the attack and must be strong!
8. Wrist higher than your elbow (High and Middle Block)
9. Elbow stay the same distance from your body (Middle Block)
10. Keep the low block close to your body, don’t let it wander away!

Next we practice performing the blocks, and here are three good ways to do so:

1. Practice the blocks 100 times each
2. Practice the blocks in descending order
3. Practice the blocks in ascending order
4. Practice the blocks very slowly
5. Practice the blocks very quickly
6. Make up your own combination of different blocks
7. Perform a middle punch (Momtong Jireugi)몸통지르기 after each block to simulate a self-defence situation
8. Practice with your eyes closed
9. Practice in reverse

These three blocks are also the first used in Poomsae.

Taegeuk 1 Jang has all three in it’s 18 motions! This makes these three blocks ideal to learn as a beginner.

Check out this video to learn more about basic blocks!