The martial arts training: how to do X blocks

Check with a martial arts trainer before practicing the x-blocks.

Sometime around yellow or orange belt level (depending on style) a martial arts student will be taught the “X” block. This is a highly affective block that not only defends; it often is included as a step in retaliation.

Students are originally taught these blocks from a left or right forward stance. For the sake of this article, it is assumed you will be working from the right forward stance. This stance is easily assumed by starting out with your feet side by side but approximately shoulder width apart. Since it is the “right forward” stance, your right leg will be in front and you will move your left foot back and to the side in an almost 45 degree angle. The right knee will be bent over the right foot as if a steel rod has been driven through the knee, down the leg and out the bottom of your heel. The left leg is straight but NOT locked and both of your feet are facing forward. Your hips and shoulders are also facing forward and your back is straight.

To start out, your right fist and arm are perpendicular to the floor with the back of the fist facing forward and ending just below the right eye. This position will change because for each “X” block thrown, both fists are brought to the waist.

At your waist, your elbows will be bent; arms and fists are rotated up so backs of them are facing towards the floor. Fists are kept loose until the moment the block is completed.

UPPER “X” BLOCK:

This block is completed by bringing your arms and fists in front and across your chest at the same time while raising them towards the top of your head. As you pass your “X’d” wrists in front of your forehead rotate them with a snapping motion so the backs are now facing towards instead of away from you. To be affective, the block must end slightly above and in front of the top of your head with an exhalation of your breath at the same time.

If you end above but in the middle of your head, the front of the head and face are not protected. If you stop the block before it reaches above, the top of your head will receive the strike and not your block.

This block will take a great deal of practice with and without a partner. Ideally, your partner will have a rolled up newspaper or some other soft, straight item in his hand. He will bring the blow from over his or her head towards yours (similar to the scenes in the old Psycho movie) and your block will stop the movement by his wrist hitting in between your own. Again, practice this many times without a partner and once you have a partner, practice it slowly until you have the movements down pat.

LOWER “X” BLOCK:

The lower is very similar to the upper “X” block except it is used to block a kick or upward knife strike from an opponent. You will begin in the same stance, bring your fists to your waist but from there you will move them downward to cross in front of your lower abdomen. They will rotate as they come from waist and end with the backs of fists once again facing forward. The block itself will continue until it reaches slightly below and to the front of the groin area. You will again want to exhale as you complete the block.

As with the upper “X” block, there are common sense reasons for ending these blocks in a particular area.

If you complete the block above the groin area, (somewhere around the front of the pubic bone) and you were trying to block a kick, the foot of your opponent is going to hit your genital area long before it hits your block. For those ladies reading this article, A GROIN HIT HURTS A FEMALE JUST AS MUCH AS A MALE! It is a common misconception that kicks or hits between the legs only injure men.

You will also want the block to end about six inches or so to the front of your body. If you are dealing with a knife strike, it is very likely the point will be sticking up so give yourself some room. In the case of a kick, your block will be stopping the kick by having the ankle strike the middle of your “X”.

For those wondering why all martial arts techniques want you to exhale as you complete the movement, it is really very simple. By exhaling or forcefully saying “KIA” you are focusing your strength while decreasing the chance of a blow to the solar plexus causing you to lose your breath.