Blocks are executed with a closed hand, parries with an open hand.

A block meets force with force to stop or redirect an attackers strike. With a parry, you ride the force of the attackers strike (using the concept of Borrowed Force to redirect the strike.

Parries require significantly less power and are very useful with an unexpected attack when you don't have time to react with a solid block. You can use a quick parry to redirect the strike while preparing your counter move.

Name	Description	Concepts
Upward Block	From face, push upward (like an uppercut punch) and rotate hand so palm is away from face raising arm above head, keeping elbow at 45 degrees.	Strike up and down Angle of deflection Torque
Inward Vertical Block	Arm at 90 degrees (bent at elbow) pulled in from outside body to inside body stop at eye, palm to face.	Eye alignment Vertical Arm
Inward Block	Arm between 45 and 90 degrees moving at a 45 degree angle across and away from body. If block starts low (from hip) it's thrusting. If it starts high (from shoulder) it's hammering.	Lead with elbow - anchored Arm between 45 and 90 degrees Torque
Outward Vertical Block	Arm at 90 degrees (bent at elbow), pushed from inside body to outside stopping at shoulder, palm to face, thumb aligned with outside of shoulder.	Fist just outside shoulder Thumb aligned with shoulder
Outward Extended Block	Starts as outward vertical then arm bends to 45 degrees (bent at elbow) pushing from inside body to outside body stopping just outside shoulder (thumb aligned with outside of shoulder).	Fist outside shoulder Elbow anchored, torque Thumb aligned to edge of shoulder
Downward Block	Arm downward to almost full extension, swinging out just past leg, keeping elbow slightly bent.	Hammering block Fist stops just past knee
Rear Elbow	Arm cocked and pulled back striking behind at waist with elbow.	Compacting the mass
Pushdown	Arm pressed down and outward to almost full extension at solar plexus, hand flat, palm down.	?
Inside Downward (Palm Up)	Fist cocked at ear, elbow bent, palm facing forward, swings down in a circular motion across midsection of body, stopping at the middle of the body. This is often used as a minor move prior to a downward block.	?
Inside Downward (Palm Down)	Arm extended down at your side, elbow slightly bent. Fist (with palm down) swings in front of and across body, stopping at other side of body.	?
Universal Block	From a neutral bow, lead arm at inward block position and back arm straight down covering centerline.	Covers high and middle
Inward Parry	Hand open, palm in, starts from same side as parry hand, moves across and away from body at a 45 degree angle then straight back to opposite side ear. Forms right triangle with chest.	Deflecting
Outward Parry	Hand open, palm in, starts from opposite of parry hand, moves across body at 45 degree angle then straight back to ear on the same side as parry hand. Forms right triangle with chest.	Deflecting
Outward Hooking Parry	Hand open, palm in, starts from opposite of parry hand, moves across body at 45 degree angle then straight back to ear on the same side as parry hand with your palm up (like a waiter carrying a tray).	Deflecting
Upward Parry	Hand open, palm up, starts from same side as parry hand and moves up and away from body at a 45 degree angle (to the "corner of the box") then down and back to opposite side ear. Forms a tilted right triangle with chest.	Deflecting
Downward Parry	Hand open, palm in, starts from opposite of body from parry hand, up high and swings down at an angle to the outside of the leg on the same side as the parry hand.	Deflecting
Horizontal Inward Parry	?	Deflecting
Horizontal Outward Parry	?	Deflecting
Vertical Upward Parry	?	Deflecting
Vertical Downward Parry	?	Deflecting