Blocks - (Mahki)

The mahki (defense or blocking) techniques are to protect against being attacked by an opponent. Averting the opponent's attacks by escaping is another means of protection. It is often said that running away from a danger is one of the best techniques for self-defense. However it is important to master the techniques of blocking (mahki) the opponent's attacks in case of a face-to-face confrontation.

Taekwondo techniques are designed to be able to hurt the opponent as well as block the technique in the course of defending oneself by using the forearms or hand blades, which, if trained hard, may inflict impacts on the other party's vital points. Therefore, mahki techniques are trained hard so that they may function equally as offensive techniques. Taekwondo training begins with the mahki techniques, which will be followed by training of offensive techniques. Two arms should be used in mahki techniques while the legs are used to keep the balance.

Sometimes a hand blade makki is performed by one hand alone, which is called "hansonnal mahki"(one hand-knife hand blocking). Mahki can be classified as inner mahki (blocking from outer side to inner side) and outer mahki (blocking from inner side to outer side). Makki starts from the waist level to defend the face; trunk level to defend the trunk, and the shoulder level to defend the lower part. However, slightly lower or higher is permissible.

As with all single arm blocks, the opposite arm should always be pulled backwards towards the waist to give opposite reaction force to aid in power for the block, with the opposite arm fist resting firmly on the hip. Whilst these blocks are usually made with a fist (Joomok), they may also be as a knife hand (Sonnal) block/strike with the outside of the knife hand acting as a combination blocking and striking weapon.

Low Block –Ahrae Mahki
This block is used to defend against turning or front type kicks from low to mid section, using the outside of the wrist and foerearm as the blocking area. For correct finishing position for poomsae and basic technique work, the arm should be extended downwards and forwards at a 30 - 45 degrees angle from the body depending on the stance, and at a slight angle inwards, with the hand in a fist with the fingers of the fist being downwards.

High Block –Eolgool Mahki
This block is used to defend against a downwards strike to the head or upper body, whether this be from a fist of knife attack, using the outside of the wrist and forearm as the blocking area. The finishing position should be with the elbow bent at 45 degress directly above front of the head, slightly forward of the head, with the wrist being just visible from the corner of the top of the eye. The hand should be in a fist with the fist twisted outwards just before the point of impact with the fingers finishing facing directly away from the body.

Inward Block – Ahnuro Mahki
This block is used to defend against a forward mid to face section straight punch or strike, whether this be a fist, spear hand, or knife attack, using the inside of the wrist and forearm as the blocking area. The finishing position should be with the elbow bent at 90 degrees forward of the mid section of the body, in line with the vertical centre line of the body, the arm should be angled slightly inwards. The hand should be in a fist with the fist twisted inwards just before the point of impact with the fingers finishing facing directly towards the body.

Outward Block – Bahkuro Mahki
This block is used to defend against a forward mid to face section straight or hook punch or strike, whether this be a fist, spear hand, or knife attack, using the oustide of the wrist and forearm as the blocking area. The finishing position should be with the elbow bent at 90 degrees forward of the mid section of the body, in line with the outside hip with the arm vertical. The hand should be in a fist with the fist twisted outwards just before the point of impact with the fingers finishing facing directly away from the body.

Double Hand Mid Section Block – Yichoong Momtong Bahtak Mahki
This block is used to defend against a forward mid to face section straight or hook punch or strike, whether this be a fist, spear hand, or knife attack, using the oustide of the wrist and forearm as the blocking area. The finishing position should be with the front arm elbow bent at 45 degrees forward of the mid section of the body with fngers of the fist facing forwards as in the Outward Block (Bahkuro Mahki), although this arm in this block is extended further forward at the 45 degrees thus giving further reach to this block than is strictly possible with the standard Outward Block (Bahkuro Mahki). The opposite arm again in a fist, should be guarding/covering the solar plexis with the fingers of this fist facing upwards. As a variation, the forward arm of this technique may also be used to perform an Inward Block (Ahnuro Mahki), but again the forward blocking arm elbow would be bent at 45 degrees to give further reach to the block.

X Block Section – Kyocha Ahrae Mahki
This block is used to defend against front type kicks, and upwards knife attacks, from low to mid section, using the back of the fist and foerearm as the blocking area. The finishing position should be with both arms extending downwards and fowards at a 45 degree angle to the body, with one wrist overlapping the other perpendicular to each other, with the back of the fists facing inwards into each other from the wrist, thus with the fingers of each fist facing outwards.

Scissor Block – Kawi Mahki
This block is a combination with one arm performing the Outward Block (Bahkuro Mahki) with at the same time the other arm performing the Low Block (Ahrae Mahki). This double block is used to block against either two attacks at the same time and/or one attack using one blocking arm, with the other block used to already protect against another anticipated attack, which occurs in quick sucession or simply as a guard to diswade a further attack.

Diamond Block – Keumgang Mahki
This block is a combination with one arm performing a variation of the High Block (Eolgool Mahki), with the variation being that the arm is closer to the forehead to act as a guard, with at the same time the other arm performing the Ourtward Block (Bahkuro Mahki). This double block is used to block against either two attacks at the same time by two attackers and/or one attack using one blocking arm, with the other block used to already protect against another anticipated attack, which occurs in quick sucession or simply as a guard to diswade a further attack.

Wedging Block – Hecho Mahki
This block is a combination using both arms simultaneously, with the techniques used on each arm mirroring each other. This block may be a variation of the Low Block (Ahrae Mahki) with the variation being that both arms block at slight angles outwards away from each side of the body, instead of forwards to the body. It may also be as two Outward Blocks (Bahkuro Mahki). This double block is used to block against either two attacks at the same time by two attackers and/or one attack using one blocking arm, with the other block used to already protect against another anticipated attack, which occurs in quick sucession or simply as a guard to diswade a further attack.

Blocking Examples

 

 

Low Block (Ahrae Mahki) from Walking Stance (Ap Sohgi)

 

High Block (Eolgool Mahki) from Walking Stance (Ap Sohgi)

 

 

 

Inner Forearm Mid Section Block (Momtong Ahnuro Mahki) from Walking Stance (Ap Sohgi)

 

Single Knife Hand Mid Section Outward Block (Hansonnal Momtong Bahkuro Mahki ) from Back Stance (Dwikoobi Soghi)

 

Doube Knife Hand Mid Section Outward Block (Yichoong Sonnal Momtong Bahkuro Mahki ) from Back Stance (Dwikoobi Sohgi) - sometimes the 'Yichoong' part of the name is missed off for ease of description.

 

Palm Hand Mid Section Inward Block (Batang Son Momtong Ahn Mahki ) from Tiger Stance (Beom Sohgi)

 

Scissor Block (Kawi Mahki ) from Long Stance (Apkoobi Sohgi)

 

Low Section X Block (Kyocha Ahrae Mahki ) from Long Stance (Apkoobi Sohgi)