Well now, listen here, child. If you’re wantin’ to learn about them “blocks” in taekwondo, then let me tell ya, it’s all about usin’ the arms to stop them punches and kicks comin’ at ya. This here ain’t no easy business, but if ya do it right, you’ll be stoppin’ those attacks like you’ve been doin’ it your whole life. We call them blocks, or in that fancy language they got, “makgi.” But don’t you worry ’bout that; I’ll explain it in plain ol’ talk, so you can understand it real good.
Now, the first thing you gotta know is that a block ain’t just throwin’ your hands up in the air. No, no, it’s all about control, and usin’ the right part of your arm to stop that strike. Take, for instance, what we call the low outer forearm block. In Korean, they call it “Najunde Bakat Palmok Makgi.” Sounds like a mouthful, don’t it? But it’s just usin’ the bottom part of your arm to push away kicks or punches comin’ low at you. You hold your arm out and use the outer side of your forearm to get the job done. Ain’t too hard, but it takes practice.
Now, if someone’s comin’ at you with a punch to the middle, you’ll need what we call a middle block, or “Kaunde An Palmok Makgi” in their fancy talk. This one’s simple enough—just bend your arm and use the forearm to stop that punch right in its tracks. Like catchin’ a fly with a hand clap, ya gotta be quick and steady.
Oh, and don’t forget about the high block, or “Eolgul Makgi” as they call it. This one’s for when someone’s tryin’ to punch or kick to your head. You raise your arm above ya, and with the outer side of your arm, you block it. Just like swattin’ a fly, only you ain’t usin’ a flyswatter!
Then there’s the inward block—called “An Makgi” in Korean. This one’s like a defensive move, where you bring your arm in toward your body to stop any attack that’s comin’ at ya. Think of it like foldin’ your arms to protect yourself from the cold, but in a taekwondo way!
And don’t be thinkin’ it stops there, oh no. There’s plenty more blocks in taekwondo. Sometimes, you gotta get real fancy, like with the double knife-hand block. You cross your arms and block with the edges of your hands, like you’re choppin’ wood. This one’s a bit tricky, so you gotta practice till your arms don’t feel like they’re gonna fall off!
Now, I know it sounds like a lot, but all them blocks help you stay safe from harm. It’s like a shield, protectin’ your body from all them attacks comin’ your way. And if you get the hang of them, you’ll be blockin’ faster than a fox runnin’ from a hound.
Oh, and don’t forget to keep your hands in the right position. Sometimes you’ll need ’em in fists, and sometimes you’ll need to spread ’em open, like you’re tryin’ to catch rain with your palms. It’s all about what kind of attack you’re dealin’ with. And let me tell you, each block has its own way of workin’ depending on where that attack’s comin’ from. Some you use when the attack’s low, others when it’s high, and some when it’s right in front of you.
Another thing to keep in mind is, blocks ain’t just about the arms. Oh no, it’s also about your whole body. You gotta twist your body a little bit, like you’re turnin’ a key in a lock, to get the most power outta your blocks. Don’t just stand there stiff like a board—get your whole body involved!
Now, I’ll tell you somethin’ else that’s real important—timing. If you ain’t fast enough, them blocks ain’t gonna do you much good. You gotta be quick as a whip, or else that punch or kick’s gonna land. And remember, don’t just throw out a block and hope for the best—ya gotta do it with purpose. Don’t block like you’re just swingin’ your arms around. Be smart, be quick, and block like you mean it.
In the end, it’s all about practice. Like when you’re learnin’ to milk a cow, you ain’t gonna be good at it the first time, but with practice, you get the hang of it. Same with these blocks—ya keep at it, and soon enough, you’ll be blockin’ with the best of ’em. And when you finally get it right, you’ll feel like you could take on the whole world, one block at a time.
So, now that you got a little taste of them blocks in taekwondo, what I want you to do is go out there and start practicin’. Get your arms movin’, get your body twistin’, and remember—don’t forget about the timing! It’s all about gettin’ them moves right and learnin’ how to block them punches and kicks like a pro. And who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be teachin’ others how to do it too!
Tags：[Taekwondo Blocks, Makgi, Taekwondo Techniques, Martial Arts Blocks, High Block, Low Block, Inward Block, Outward Block, Double Knife-Hand Block, Taekwondo Training]