Downward Block
Naeryeo Makgi
내려 막기
“Neyh-Leeuh Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking the assailant’s attack in a downward motion, from top to bottom.

This is a skill of blocking downward when the opponent attacks the anywhere between the chest and groin and should not be used when attempting to block attacks to the legs.

Other applications of the motion include striking the groin and sweeping the opponent over one’s front leg.

Also known as 아래 막기 / Arae Makgi / Low Block.

Examples:

• Palm Heel Downward Block
  Batangson Naeryeo Makgi
  바탕손 내려 막기

• Knife Hand Downward Block
  Sonnal Naeryeo Makgi
  손날 내려 막기

• Downward Parrying Block
  Geodeo Naeryeo Makgi
  걷어 내려 막기

Upward Block
Ollyeo Makgi
올려 막기
“Ohl-Leeuh Mahk-Gee”

A technique of moving the arm upward to block an attack.

In Olympic Sparring the Upward Block can be paired with body leaning to defend against the opponent’s Axe Kick. In Open Sparring the edge of the elbow can be used to defend against punches to the face. Another use is to press the outer forearm up into the aggressor’s throat while pulling down on one of their arms.

Also known as 얼굴 막기 / Eolgul Makgi / Face Block.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Upward Block
  Sonnal Ollyeo Makgi
  손날 올려 막기

• Assisted Upward Block
  Geodeureo Ollyeo Makgi
  거들어 올려 막기

• Inner Forearm Upward Block
  An Palmok Ollyeo Makgi
  안 팔목 올려 막기

Outward Block
Bakkat Makgi
바깥 막기
“Bah-Kaht Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking the assailant’s attack from the inside to the outside of the defender’s body.

For Poomsae performance the elbow should be opened to approximately 120°.

Most commonly appearing as an Outward Middle Block / Momtong Bakkat Makgi / 몸통 바깥 막기 in Recognized Poomsae.

Some other examples of application include:

• Framing against the assailant’s neck with one hand while pulling down on their wrist with the other

• Using the Pulling Hand as a preliminary inward parry before using the other as an outward parry

• Striking the assailant’s neck with the forearm while pulling down on their wrist with the other
  
  Also known as 밖안 막기 / Bakkan Makgi.

Examples:

• Assisted Outward Block
  Geodeureo Bakkat Makgi
  거들어 바깥 막기

• Ridge Hand Outward Block
  Sonnal Deung Bakkat Makgi
  손날 등 바깥 막기

• Inner Forearm Outward Block
  An Palmok Bakkat Makgi
  안 팔목 바깥 막기

Inward Block
An Makgi
안 막기
“Ahn Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking from the outside to the inside of the defender’s body with the hand, foot, arm or leg.

For Poomsae performance the elbow should be opened to approximately 120°.

Most commonly appearing as an Inward Middle Block / Momtong An Makgi / 몸통 안 막기 in Recognized Poomsae.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Inward Block
  Sonnal An Makgi
  손날 안 막기

• Palm Heel Inward Block
  Batangson An Makgi
  바탕손 안 막기

• Inward Parrying Block
  Geodeo An Makgi
  걷어 안 막기

Side Block
Yeop Makgi
옆 막기
“Yuhp Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking the opponent’s strike from the side.
This is a skill of inhibiting the aggression of an opponent while taking a 90° angle relative to their body.

Examples:

• Side Downward Block
  Naeryeo Yeop Makgi
  내려 옆 막기

• Side Knife Hand Block
  Sonnal Yeop Makgi
  손날 옆 막기

• Assisted Inner Forearm High Side Block
  Eolgul An Palmok Geodeureo Yeop Makgi
  얼굴 안 팔목 거들어 옆 막기

Knife Hand Block
Sonnal Makgi
손날 막기
“Sohn-Nahl Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking the assailant’s attack from the inside to the outside of the defender’s body.

The default motion applied is outward, so the technique is not called Sonnal Bakkat Makgi / Outward Knife Hand Block. A naming distinction is only made if the motion of action is something other than outward.

For Poomsae performance the elbow should be opened to slightly greater than 120°.

Some other examples of application include:

• Framing against the assailant’s neck with one hand while pulling down on their wrist with the other

• Using the Pulling Hand as a preliminary inward parry before using the Knife Hand as an outward parry

• Striking the assailant’s neck with the Knife Hand or forearm while pulling down on their wrist with the other

An older name for the technique was 한손날 막기 / Hansonnal Makgi / Single Knife Hand Block.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Downward Block
  Sonnal Naeryeo Makgi
  손날 내려 막기

• Knife Hand Upward Block
  Sonnal Ollyeo Makgi
  손날 올려 막기

• Knife Hand Inward Block
  Sonnal An Makgi
  손날 안 막기

Assisted Knife Hand Block
Sonnal Geodeureo Makgi
손날 거들어 막기
“Sohn-Nahl Goh-Dool-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique used as a counter grapple against an assailant’s single or double handed grab.
The lead hand should frame against the attacker’s throat while the other secures an Overhook 오버훅 on the same side.

Also known as Double Knife Hand Block, but I disagree with this classification as it implies that both hands are blocking at the same time when that clearly isn’t the case, regardless of your interpretation.

Examples:

• Assisted Knife Hand Downward Block
  Sonnal Geodeureo Naeryeo Makgi
  손날 거들어 내려 막기

• Assisted Knife Hand Upward Block
  Sonnal Geodeureo Ollyeo Makgi
  손날 거들어 올려 막기

• Assisted Knife Hand Inward Block
  Sonnal Geodeureo An Makgi
  손날 거들어 안 막기

Assisted Block
Geodeureo Makgi
거들어 막기
“Goh-Dool-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique used as a counter grapple against an assailant’s single or double handed grab.

For example, in an Assisted Outward Block the lead forearm should frame against the attacker’s neck/throat while the other secures an Overhook 오버훅 on the same side.

Also known as Double Block, but I disagree with this classification as it implies that both hands are blocking at the same time when that clearly isn’t the case, regardless of your interpretation.

Examples:

• Assisted Downward Block
  Geodeureo Naeryeo Makgi
  거들어 내려 막기

• Palm Assisted Inner Forearm Outward Block
  An Palmok Sonbadak Geodeureo Bakkat Makgi
  안 팔목 손바닥 거들어 바깥 막기

• Assisted Ridge Hand Block
  Sonnal Deung Geodeureo Makgi
  손날 등 거들어 막기

Pressing Block
Nulleo Makgi
눌러 막기
“Nool-Luh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique of pressing downward against the assailant’s attack.

Another example of applying the shape of a Pressing Block is as a Snap Down out of a Single Collar Tie.

Examples:

• Palm Heel Pressing Block
  Batangson Nulleo Makgi
  바탕손 눌러 막기

• Outer Wrist Pressing Block
  Bakkat Palmok Nulleo Makgi
  바깥 팔목 눌러 막기

Palm Heel Block
Batangson Makgi
바탕손 막기
”Bah-Tahng-Sohn Mahk-Gee”

A technique of impeding the aggression of an attacker by using the Palm Heel.

Palm Heel blocking tends to lend itself more to Parrying Blocks and Tripping Blocks rather than Striking Blocks.

Examples:

• Palm Heel Inward Block
  Batangson An Makgi
  바탕손 안 막기

• Palm Heel Downward Parrying Block
  Batangson Naeryeo Geodeo Makgi
  바탕손 내려 걷어 막기

Twisting Block
Biteureo Makgi
비틀어 막기
“Bee-Toor-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking with the opposite hand of the advancing foot with a twisting motion of the body.
In practice one should be sure to use the twisting motion of the body to take their head off of the center line while defending with the arm.

Examples:

• Twisting Knife Hand Block
  Sonnal Biteureo Makgi
  손날 비틀어 막기

• Twisting Downward Block
  Naeryeo Biteureo Makgi
  내려 비틀어 막기

• Twisting Inner Wrist Outward Block
  An Palmok Bakkat Biteureo Makgi
  안 팔목 바깥 비틀어 막기

Scissor Block
Gawi Makgi
가위 막기
“Gah-Wee Mahk-Gee”

A technique which ends in the shape of a simultaneous Inner Forearm Outward Block and a Downward Block.
This skill is named after a scissoring motion of crossing both arms each other at the front of the chest.

Applications include locking out the elbow of an assailant as well as making space against a grab, though the end posture can be adopted as a body guard in Olympic Kyorugi.

Examples:

• Open Hand Scissor Block
  Pyeonson Gawi Makgi
  편손 가위 막기

• Outer Forearm Scissor Block
  Bakkat Palmok Gawi Makgi
  바깥 팔목 가위 막기

Middle Opening Block
Momtong Hechyeo Makgi
몸통 헤쳐 막기
“Mohm-Tohng Hay-Chuh Mahk-Gee”

A technique which moves both arms outward.
When the opponent grabs towards the shoulders, chest or neck, the defender moves the arms in opposite directions to prevent the attempt or to make space between the arms of a successful attempt. The inner forearm version (as in Koryo, Keumgang) is shown in the picture, which has a slightly different 1st Position, Path & 2nd Position when compared to the outer forearm version (as in Taegeuk 7-jang).

Examples:

• Inner Forearm Opening Block
  An Palmok Hechyeo Makgi
  안 팔목 헤쳐 막기

• Ridge Hand Opening Block
  Sonnal Deung Hechyeo Makgi
  손날 등 헤쳐 막기

• Opening Mountain Block
  Hechyeo Santeul Makgi
  헤쳐 산틀 막기

Low Opening Block
Arae Hechyeo Makgi
아래 헤쳐 막기
“Ah-Ray Hay-Chuh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique which crosses both wrists and pulls them out to the sides.

When the opponent grabs towards the shoulders, chest or neck, the defender crosses both wrists over each other and pulls them away from each other downward in opposite directions.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Low Opening Block
  Sonnal Arae Hechyeo Makgi
  손날 아래 헤쳐 막기

• Inner Forearm Low Opening Block
  An Palmok Arae Hechyeo Makgi
  안 팔목 아래 헤쳐 막기

Cross Block
Eotgeoreo Makgi
엇걸어 막기
“Oht-Guhl-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique by crossing both wrists and pressing them downward to meet an upward strike or pressing them upward to meet a downward strike.

Examples:

• Low Cross Block
  Arae Eotgeoreo Makgi
  아래 엇걸어 막기

• Knife Hand Low Cross Block
  Arae Sonnal Eotgeoreo Makgi
  아래 손날 엇걸어 막기

• High Cross Block
  Eolgul Eotgeoreo Makgi
  얼굴 엇걸어 막기

Single Mountain Block
Oesan Makgi
외산 막기
“Way-Sahn Mahk-Gee”

Also called 외산틀 막기 Oesanteul Makgi “Way-Sahn-Tool Mahk-Gee”.

A technique which ends in the shape of a simultaneous execution of High Outward Side Block and Downward Block.

Best thought of as a shoulder throw. It certainly is not blocking two attacks from opposite sides of the body, this is a very unrealistic misinformed interpretation.

Examples:

• Open Hand Single Mountain Block
  Pyeonson Oesan Makgi
  편손 외산 막기

• Inner Forearm Single Mountain Block
  An Palmok Oesan Makgi
  안 팔목 외산 막기

Mountain Block
Taesan Makgi
태산 막기
“Teyh-Sahn Mahk-Gee”

Also called 산틀 막기 Santeul Makgi “Sahn-Tool Mahk-Gee”.

A technique which ends in the shape of a simultaneous High Inward Side Block and High Outward Side Block.

It also resembles the Hanja 山 “San” which means “mountain”. The same character is pronounced “Shan” in Chinese and “Yama” in Japanese, both of which also mean “mountain.”

Best thought of as a hip throw for the regular version or a standing double arm bar for the opening version. It certainly is not blocking two attacks from opposite sides of the body, this is a very unrealistic and misinformed interpretation.

Examples:

• Opening Mountain Block
  Hechyeo Taesan Makgi
  헤쳐 태산 막기

• Open Hand Mountain Block
  Pyeonson Taesan Makgi
  편손 태산 막기

Diamond Block
Keumgang Makgi
금강 막기
“Goom-Gahng Mahk-Gee”

A technique which ends in the shape of a simultaneous Upward Block and Downward Side Block.
This skill is named after the statue of 금강역사 Geumgangyeoksa (Diamond Warrior).

One interesting application of the concept is lifting the opponent’s arm while pressing down on the back of their neck, perhaps while delivering an Upward Knee Strike.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Diamond Block
  Sonnal Keumgang Makgi
  손날 금강 막기

• Palm Heel Diamond Block
  Batangson Keumgang Makgi
  바탕손 금강 막기

Diamond Middle Block
Keumgang Momtong Makgi
금강 몸통 막기
“Goom-Gahng Mohm-Tohng Mahk-Gee”

A technique which ends in the shape of a simultaneous Upward Block and Inner Forearm Outward Block.

One idea for application is using the Upward Block as a defense against a Hook Punch while using the Outward Block as a frame against the assailant’s neck or as a strike to their jaw.

Examples:

• Open Hand Middle Diamond Block
  Pyeonson Keumgang Momtong Makgi
  편손 금강 몸통 막기

• Outer Forearm Middle Diamond Block
  Bakkat Palmok Keumgang Momtong Makgi
  바깥 팔목 금강 몸통 막기

Bull Block
Hwangso Makgi
황소 막기
“Hwahg-Soh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique of lifting the outside edges of both wrists over the head. The arms end in a position resembling the horns of a bull. The hands should end with one fist’s space between.

Bull Block appears in two Recognized Poomsae, Sipjin and Jitae, and each has a different 1st position and path to the 2nd position. The version depicted here is the one from Sipjin.

This clearly would not work against Mas Oyama. Ossu!

Examples:

• Open Hand Bull Block
  Pyeonson Hwangso Makgi
  편손 황소 막기

• Inner Forearm Bull Block
  An Palmok Hwangso Makgi
  안 팔목 황소 막기

Striking Block
Chyeo Makgi
쳐 막기
“Ch’yuh Mahk-Gee”

A technique which blocks a strike with the intention of meeting force with force rather than to redirect the path of a strike. It should be done with the intention of damaging the attacking limb of the opponent. Blocking a strike by using a kick would be further subdivided as 차 막기 Cha Makgi.

Examples:

• Downward Block
  Naeryeo Chyeo Makgi
  내려 쳐 막기

• Upward Block
  Ollyeo Chyeo Makgi
  올려 쳐 막기

• Outward Block
  Bakkat Chyeo Makgi
  바깥 쳐 막기

• Inward Block
  An Chyeo Makgi
  안 쳐 막기

Parrying Block
Geodeo Makgi
걷어 막기
“Gohd-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A technique which deflects a strike rather than meeting it head on with force.

Examples:

• Downward Parry
  Naeryeo Geodeo Makgi
  내려 걷어 막기

• Upward Parry
  Ollyeo Geodeo Makgi
  올려 걷어 막기

• Outward Parry
  Bakkat Geodeo Makgi
  바깥 걷어 막기

• Inward Parry
  An Geodeo Makgi
  안 걷어 막기

• Swinging Block
  Hwidulleo Makgi
  휘둘러 막기

Tripping Block
Georeo Makgi
걸어 막기
“Gohr-Uh Mahk-Gee”

A blocking technique which first intercepts a kicking attack before lifting the opponent’s leg in an attempt to off balance or trip them.

Examples:

• Knife Hand Downward Trip Block
  Sonnal Geodeureo Naeryeo Georeo Makgi
  손날 거들어 내려 걸어 막기

• Upward Tripping Block (aka Lifting Up)
  Ollyeo Georeo Makgi (aka Kkeuleo Olligi)
  올려 걸어 막기 (aka 끌어 올리기)

Front Face Block
Eolgul Ap Makgi
얼굴 앞 막기
“Ohl-Gool Ahp Mahk-Gee”

A technique for defending against attacks which strike straight to the face.

• Forearm Block
  Palmok Bada Makgi
  팔목 받아 막기

• Palm Block
  Batangson Bada Makgi
  바탕손 받아 막기

• Elbow Block
  Palkkumchi Bada Makgi
  팔꿈치 받아 막기

Front Body Block
Momtong Ap Makgi
몸통 앞 막기
“Mohm-Tohng Ahp Mahk-Gee”

A technique for defending against attacks which strike straight to the body.

• Forearm Block
  Palmok Bada Makgi
  팔목 받아 막기

• Elbow Block
  Palkkumchi Bada Makgi
  팔꿈치 받아 막기

Side Face Block
Eolgul Yeop Makgi
얼굴 옆 막기
“Ohl-Gool Yuhp Mahk-Gee”

A technique for defending against attacks which strike the side of the face.

• Forearm Block
  Palmok Bada Makgi
  팔목 받아 막기

• Elbow Block
  Palkkumchi Bada Makgi
  팔꿈치 받아 막기

• Dutch Block
  Nedeollandeu Bada Makgi
  네덜란드 받아 막기

Side Body Block
Momtong Yeop Makgi
몸통 옆 막기
“Mohm-Tohng Yuhp Mahk-Gee”

A technique for defending against attacks which strike the side of the body. Also known as a Dutch Block when taking the strike on the arm while slapping it with the opposite hand.

• Forearm Block
  Palmok Bada Makgi
  팔목 받아 막기

• Elbow Block
  Palkkumchi Bada Makgi
  팔꿈치 받아 막기

• Dutch Block
  Nedeollandeu Bada Makgi
  네덜란드 받아 막기

Shin Block
Jeonggangi Makgi
정강이 막기
“Juhng-Gahng-Ee Mahk-Gee”

A technique of blocking the assailant’s attack by checking it with the shin.
This blocking skill is to directly confront the opponent’s advance by striking it with the shin bone, causing serious injury to the attacker. This skill is one practical application of Hakdari Seogi / Crane Stance and makes defense and offense possible at the same time.

Examples:

• Outward Shin Block
  Jeonggangi Bakkat Makgi
  정강이 바깥 막기

• Inward Shin Block
  Jeonggangi An Makgi
  정강이 안 막기

• Middle Shin Block
  Jeonggangi Momtong Makgi
  정강이 몸통 막기