The English word block is widely used in martial arts, but it can be misleading. It often suggests meeting an attack with a hard, forceful stop. While this is certainly one type of defensive movement, it represents only part of a much broader range of techniques.
In many Japanese martial arts, the original term is more closely related to the idea of receiving an attack than simply blocking it. This reflects a wider concept: responding to an incoming strike, push or grab in whatever way is most appropriate, rather than always trying to stop it head-on.
In Kempo, we often think in terms of Blocks & Controls. This includes the many ways of engaging with an opponent’s arms as you establish a connection—or bridge—between yourself and your opponent. Depending on the situation, that may involve stopping, redirecting, guiding, controlling or clearing the attacking limb.
A Spectrum of Responses
Some defensive movements are firm and direct, particularly when learning the fundamentals. A strong rising or outward block can stop or significantly disrupt an incoming attack, providing a simple and reliable response.
As your training develops, however, you will discover that many defensive movements become softer and more economical. Rather than meeting force with force, you may deflect a strike with minimal contact, guide it past your body, hook or control the arm, or move smoothly from the outside to the inside of your opponent’s guard.
These are all examples of blocking in its broader sense.
From Defence to Control
An effective block involves far more than the movement of your arms. It is coordinated with footwork, body movement and positioning. By moving off the line of attack while engaging your opponent’s arm, you not only reduce the risk of being struck but also place yourself in a more advantageous position.
Good blocking therefore aims to improve your own position while making your opponent’s position less favourable. Depending on the situation, this may mean moving to the outside or inside of your opponent’s arms, disrupting their balance, or limiting their ability to launch further attacks.
An effective block does more than prevent you from being hit. It should also create opportunities for your next action. Sometimes this means opening a line for a counter-strike. At other times, it means establishing control of your opponent’s arm, creating an opportunity to apply a throw, joint lock or restraint, or simply escaping safely from the encounter.
For this reason, blocking and controlling are closely linked. The initial contact with an opponent’s arm is often the beginning of a sequence rather than the end of it. As your training progresses, you will come to see blocking not as an isolated defensive action, but as the first step towards taking control of the situation.
Developing Your Skills
When you first learn Kempo, you will naturally begin with clear, structured blocks. These develop confidence, timing and sound body mechanics.
With experience, your movements become more relaxed, adaptable and efficient. The goal is not simply to block harder, but to use only as much force as the situation requires while maintaining control and creating opportunities to respond effectively.
Understanding blocking in this broader way helps explain why the same movement can be applied in many different ways. What is first learnt as a clear, structured block may later become a deflection, a bridge, a control, or the beginning of a throw, depending on the situation.
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