Overview
This is the first of GKR's intermediate blocks, and its exact bunkai (purpose) is still the subject for debate. The generally accepted use of this block, is to counter a round kick, but if you try it against one, you'll discover that like as not, you'll end up tangled up around your attacker's leg. Still, at least the kick didn't reach your body! One thing's for certain, this is one of few GKR blocks whose purpose is to meet force with force, rather than deflecting an attack in a different direction. Others are mostly performed with elbows to counter head-butts or knee attacks.
Despite its relative simplicity, many, many students perform this block incorrectly. Although it is essentially the combination of a Gedan Barai and an Uchi Uke block, both performed simultaneously, there is a very slight modification to allow for the fact that both blocks happen together, altering the preparation phase.
Used in these katas
Seiunchin
Technique
Start with your right arm extended in front of you at about 45 degrees, with the back of your fist facing forwards. Do not bend the elbow. Your left arm should be in front of you, elbow bent at 90 degrees so that your fist is level with your left shoulder.
Draw both forearms in towards your solar plexus until they are both parallel to each other just in front of your body. The back of your left hand should be facing downwards, whilst the back of your right hand should be facing upwards. Your left forearm should be closest to your body, with your right arm on the outside.
Powerfully rotate both forearms outwards so that the left arm is now straight at the elbow and angled outwards in front of you at an angle of 45 degrees. Your right upper arm should also be out in front at an angle of 45 degrees, but with the elbow bent to a right angle, and the fist at shoulder level. You should move your right arm with the back of the wrist facing to the right until you reach its finishing position, when you should rotate your forearm 90 degrees anti-clockwise so that the backl of your wrist faces away from you. Likewise, the back of your left wrist should face to the left until the arm is in position - then you must rotate the forearm 90 degrees clockwise so that the back of your wrist faces away from you. These late rotations add power and prevent you from hurting yourself with bone-to-bone blocks.
In your finishing position, both fists should be the same distance in front of your body, both elbows should be tight to the sides of your chest, and your back should be straight.
I tend to think of this block as a pull and push action - pull both arms in close to your body, then push them away to make a powerful block. Because this block depends upon strength, you need to make sure that your stance is very strongly rooted at the moment of impact, perhaps even sinking down a little at the crucial moment to lower your centre of gravity.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many students get into the habit of simply rotating both forearms by 180 degrees, without any pull/push action. This technique has no power whatsoever.
Another common error, is for students to lean their upper body or heads forwards, or stick their butts out as they block, thus making themselves vulnerable to attacks, especially to the head.
Last but not least, many students get their arms tangled up with each other during the crossover phase. To avoid this, simply keep your elbows wider apart as your forearms pass each other.
