Chon-ji Down Block Drills

Down block. Gedan barai. Hardan marki.


Colin between steps 2 and 3 of Taewkondo's Chon-gi Hyung.

We did an incremental down block drill for new students and beginners last night.

1. The first was to look at the folding as a way to create a deflection for a strike coming to the face. Then using the down block to deflect a mid-section strike to the solar plexus.

2. Then we used the folding or reverse hand as a way to sandwich the opponent's striking arm whilst the 'fold' for the down block is used to send your elbow into the back of the opponent's hand. Then the down block is used as a strike to the forearm.

3. Progressing through this exercise, the more experienced students involved themselves in a free flow drill - opponent striking nose then solar plexus. The fold was used as a deflection for the face while the down block is used to strike away a solar plexus attack.

The down block was shown not to be used directly against leg attacks UNLESS the intention was to use a downward striking elbow instead of the forearm to strike an uncoming shin.

A more advanced approach was taken to look at angles of striking.


The downblock performed on top of areas LI 7,8,9 is a traditional type downblock done with a nice fold at the elbow and striking the forearm or striking tool at an angle.



The downblock down on HT 3 or HT 2 is done with a straighter arm and requires the fist be held flexed toward the small finger side of the forearm. This wraps the fist so that your knuckle or knife hand part of the hand and strike inside the opponent's forearm.

Of note, like the lunge punch, the hikite or pull back or reaction hand needs to be pulled back hard. Both hands work in tandem to create a massive shearing force. This type of shearing force is required if you are using the lower block fold against the opponent's elbow to break it. Without the back hand, the upper body will not be entirely stable and not enough force will be generated to support the striking arm.

Taekwondo Pattern Chon-ji
Warmup Drill to Increase Coverage to Body
Defence against a Front Kick Combo
Getting Kicked in the Gut
BB Coaching Course
Chonji Middle Block Drill with Partner
He Hit Me and Said Sorry
Chon-ji Down Block Drills
Dan-gun Block Strike
Dan-gun Defensive Drills Against Strikes
Re: Looking at Pyung Ahn (Heian) kata with weapons (Will Senn)

Colin