Defining the Side Front Block and its Target
The Side Front Block (Yobap Makgi) is a defensive technique specifically employed for intercepting an attack from a side front angle. This block is directed toward the high section of the body. A block is classified as a high block when the fist or fingertip reaches the same level as the defender’s eyes at the moment of contact. The designated blocking tools for the Side Front Block are the inner forearm and the reverse knife-hand. The use of the Reverse Knife-Hand (Sonkal Dung) as a tool is frequent for blocking. This technique is defined as a side block, which means the body must be either half facing or side facing the opponent upon execution.
Stance Requirements and Posture
The Side Front Block is mainly executed from close stance (Moa Sogi), parallel stance (Narani Sogi), and sitting stance (Annun Sogi). Occasionally, practitioners also utilize the one-leg stance (Waebal Sogi) and the X-stance (Kyocha Sogi). Regardless of the stance used, the blocking tool must be precisely focused toward the center of the defender’s shoulders. If a block is focused too short of the target, it results in a weak block that can be easily deflected; conversely, focusing beyond the body creates an exposure.
Execution Mechanics and Focus Points
For the Side Front Block, only an outward block is possible. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the elbow must be bent 80 degrees at the moment of the block. The middle finger of the blocking hand should form a straight line with the shoulder. Simultaneously, the opposite arm must be extended side-downward at the moment of the block. Generally, for all blocks, the arm should be bent between 15 and 45 degrees to intercept the attack obliquely. However, the 80-degree bend is specific to the Side Front Block.
Related Attacking and Training Techniques
The Side Front Thrust (Yobap Tulgi) is an offensive technique used for attacking an opponent approaching from the side front. The principles of execution for the side front thrust with a flat fingertip are similar to the Side Front Punch (Yobap Jirugi), which attacks an opponent approaching from the side front. The block appears in complex drills, such as the Sitting Stance Back Fist High Side Strike drill, where the follow-up counter-attack includes moving the foot to form a close stance and executing a Side Front Block with the left inner forearm. Additionally, the Flying Side Front Kick (Twimyo Yobap Chagi) uses the same method as the front snap kick, but the body is half facing the opponent at impact. The flying version of this kick may land in an X-stance while executing a checking block with an X-knife-hand.