Shotokan Blocks Soto Ude Uke 3 Different Ways
In this short video tutorial we are working on one of the basic Shotokan Blocks Soto Ude Uke, using three different ways to execute the block.
Shotokan Blocks Soto Ude Uke
Soto Ude Uke Starting Position
A. The elbow of the left blocking arm is roughly one fist to one fist and a half apart from the torso.
The elbow of the blocking arm should be bent at a 90 degree angle.
The blocking arm’s fist is roughly shoulder height.
The palm of the left fist is facing you, shoulders back and relaxed.
B. On the right side of the torso, the right hike arm should be positioned at the base of the ribs.
The fist should be made with the palm facing up, the elbow tucked in slightly, and the shoulders dropped and relaxed.
Keep the elbow directly behind the fist and try not to let it stick out.
Soto Ude Uke Version 1 (block coming around)
1. Raise the left arm so that the fist is facing forward and the arm is straight.
2. Raise the right elbow straight up from the hikite position as the left arm extends forward.
Raise the right forearm and fist until they are precisely above the elbow and the palm is pointing out to the right. Do this as soon as the elbow reaches shoulder height.
The elbow should now be taken as far back as possible without feeling unpleasant. The elbow should be at least shoulder height in this position.
3. Next, drive the blocking arm from high, down across to the body’s centre.
From the high position to the final position, the elbow moves in a straight line.
The inside of the forearm serves as the arm’s blocking area, allowing the blocking to be level with the right.
The blocking arm comes around in this version.
4. While you carry out step 3, firmly draw your left hikite (pulling arm) back.
As you bring the arm back, make sure to keep the elbow parallel to the side of the body.
As soon as you begin the pull back, make sure the elbow and fist return in a straight line.
Turn the left hikite arm clockwise so the fist is facing downward.
Finish the rotation vigorously by turning the forearm as the hiking arm approaches the side of the body.
The hikite fist closes with its palm facing up, elbow bending just a little, and relaxed, square shoulders.
Soto Ude Uke Version 2 (block coming forward then hooking back)
1. and 2. are the same as soto uke version 1.
3. Next, drive the blocking arm from high, down across to the body’s centre.
From the high position to the final position, the elbow moves in a straight line.
The inside of the forearm serves as the arm’s blocking area, allowing the blocking to be level with the right.
The blocking arm comes around and forward in this version, then hooks back slightly on completion, creating a whip and bounce off of the target.
Number 4. is the same as version 1 of soto uke.
Soto Ude Uke Version 3 (block coming forward and across)
1. and 2. are the same for all three soto uke versions.
3. Next, drive the blocking arm from high, down across to the body’s centre and forward, with the feeling like you are skimming a stone over the water.
From the high position to the final position, the elbow moves in a straight line.
The inside of the forearm serves as the arm’s blocking area, allowing the blocking to be level with the right.
The blocking arm comes around and forward in this version, remember that stone skimming feeling, so the block goes into the attack, rather than deflecting.
Number 4. is the same for all three versions of soto uke.
We also have articles and videos on three versions of the Shotokan Blocks Uchi Ude Uke, give them a try, number one is the most widely practiced, but sometimes altering completion of soto uke can have a really positive effect. We have the same with shotokan block Age Uke and Gedan Barai.