A few months ago, I talked about the different kinds of blocks and some situations when they can be used. This month I wanted to discuss how to generate at least 5 times the amount of power in your blocking techniques. Five times the power you ask? How can that be possible? As beginners we teach you to start your blocks from your hip in the catch position. There is only one flaw with that... blocking power is not anywhere near as powerful as it could be.
    So, here is how you obtain the most power in blocking… and no you don’t have to lift weights until you are a hulking mass of humanity. What if I told you that you can use your legs, hips, and a circular motion with your arm when blocking? I know, your thinking how can I use my legs and hips for a head block or side block even. Think of when you are throwing a crescent kick. You move your hips in one direction and then torque them in the other direction to generate power in your kick. Why can’t you do the same for a side block? Let’s use a left hand side block for example. Start like this, get into a left foot forward seisan stance, keep your right hand on your hip and your left hand above your left leg. Your left hand should be open and palm facing down a fist away from your leg. Now, starting with your legs, shift your hips to the right and as you torque your hips back to the left, you begin a circular motion with your left hand going towards the right first and ending in the same spot that your normal side block ends in. Instead of using just arm strength, you have just used your legs and hips to generate some fierce power in your blocking technique. Start the technique from the ground up. Think of it like this, all high blocks start low , and all low blocks start high. You should always use a circular motion with your arm and use your hips and legs when blocking.
     I would not recommend trying to incorporate this kind of blocking into your training until you feel comfortable with blocking from the catch position first. Usually this comes around orange or green belt level. Guys, don’t be afraid to ask one of our awesome instructors for help on this concept. That is what we are here for. As always, Practice Hard.

     We mentioned it briefly before, but we feel it is important enough to mention again...  being on time.  Please give it your best attempt to arrive to class on time.  We are not asking you to come 10 minutes early, but simply on time.  Just give yourself enough time to remove your shoes and sign in, usually a few minutes before class will suffice.
       We realize that most of our students are dependant upon other people (like Mom & Dad!) for transportation, and it's Mom & Dad who normally read this newsletter, so we hope you understand why we are making this request.  We realize that it's not easy (far from it!) to juggle a busy schedule, but we dislike disrupting a class, or starting it late, for a few students who arrive late.  We have only 45 minutes, or at best 1 hour, to cover our material we planned for classes.   It's simply not fair to the students who arrived on time to be penalized for other students tardiness.   Thanks for your future attempts at timeliness!