Technical purpose
Close Stance Inner Forearm Side-Front Block, called Moa So An Palmok Yobap Makgi in Korean terminology, is an ITF Taekwon-Do defensive technique used to intercept an attack coming from a side-front angle toward the high section of the body.
The technique is performed from Close Stance, using the inner forearm, or An Palmok, as the blocking tool. It belongs to the side-front block family, called Yobap Makgi.
The block must not be treated as a normal side block or front block. The defining point is the angle of the attack: it comes from the side-front direction, and the block must meet it with the correct outward action, tool position, elbow angle, and opposite arm placement.
Key principle
Side-front block intercepts an attack from a side-front angle toward the high section, using an outward blocking action with the middle finger aligned to the shoulder and the elbow bent about 80 degrees.
Technique identity
| Item | Technical reference |
|---|---|
| Technique name | Close Stance Inner Forearm Side-Front Block |
| Korean terminology | Moa So An Palmok Yobap Makgi |
| Short technique name | An Palmok Yobap Makgi |
| Technique family | Blocking technique, or Makgi |
| Block type | Side-Front Block, or Yobap Makgi |
| Stance | Close Stance, or Moa Sogi |
| Blocking tool | Inner forearm, or An Palmok |
| Attack angle | Side-front angle |
| Target area protected | High section of the body |
Close stance base
| Stance point | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Stance | Close Stance, or Moa Sogi |
| Width | No width |
| Length | No length |
| Foot position | Feet are pressed together |
| Weight distribution | 50% on the left leg and 50% on the right leg |
| Legs | Straight and controlled |
| Body control | Upright, centered, and stable while the arms form the block |
Side-front block rules
| Rule | Technical requirement |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Intercept an attack from a side-front angle toward the high section of the body. |
| Main stances | Close Stance, Parallel Stance, and Sitting Stance. |
| Occasional stances | One-Leg Stance and X-Stance may also be used. |
| Blocking tools | Inner forearm and reverse knife-hand. |
| This technique | Uses the inner forearm. |
| Blocking method | Only an outward block is possible. |
| Final hand line | The middle finger forms a straight line with the shoulder. |
| Elbow angle | The elbow is bent about 80 degrees. |
| Opposite arm | The opposite arm is extended side-downward at the moment of the block. |
How to execute the block
Begin from a correct Close Stance. The feet are together, the legs are straight, and the body weight is shared equally between both legs. The stance must remain centered and stable while the arms perform the side-front blocking action.
The block is performed with the inner forearm. The purpose is to intercept an attack coming from the side-front angle toward the high section of the body. The movement should not be made as a normal front block or a normal side block. The direction must match the side-front line of attack.
Only an outward block is possible. At the moment of the block, keep the middle finger in a straight line with the shoulder and bend the elbow about 80 degrees. The arm should not be overextended or collapsed too close to the body.
At the same moment, extend the opposite arm side-downward. This opposite arm position is part of the final structure and should not be ignored or pulled carelessly to the hip.
Blocking tool and target angle
The blocking tool in this version is An Palmok, the inner forearm. The student should not replace it with the outer forearm, palm, fist, or knife-hand. Other versions of side-front block may use the reverse knife-hand, but Moa So An Palmok Yobap Makgi specifically uses the inner forearm.
The block is aimed at a side-front attack toward the high section. This means the defender must understand both the level and the angle. If the arm travels too much to the front, the side-front attack may not be intercepted. If it travels too much to the side, the high-section line may remain exposed.
The final position should show a clean relationship between the shoulder, middle finger, elbow, and opposite arm. The block should be precise rather than large.
Reference checklist
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Technique | Close Stance Inner Forearm Side-Front Block (Moa So An Palmok Yobap Makgi) |
| Technique family | Blocking technique, or Makgi |
| Block type | Side-Front Block, or Yobap Makgi |
| Stance | Close Stance, or Moa Sogi |
| Blocking tool | Inner forearm, or An Palmok |
| Attack angle | Side-front angle |
| Protected level | High section |
| Block direction | Outward only |
| Hand line | Middle finger in a straight line with the shoulder |
| Elbow | Bent about 80 degrees |
| Opposite arm | Extended side-downward at the moment of the block |
Common technical errors
A common error is using the wrong blocking direction. Side-Front Block allows only an outward block. If the student performs it inward, the movement no longer matches the required technique.
Another error is using the wrong tool. This technique requires the inner forearm. The student should not replace it with the outer forearm, fist, palm, or knife-hand.
Students also commonly lose the side-front angle. The attack is not purely from the front and not purely from the side. The block must intercept the side-front line toward the high section.
Another frequent error is incorrect elbow position. The elbow should be bent about 80 degrees. If the elbow is too straight, the block becomes overextended. If it is too bent, the high-section line may not be properly covered.
The final error is ignoring the opposite arm. The opposite arm should be extended side-downward at the moment of the block. If it is pulled to the hip or left inactive, the final structure is incomplete.