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Gedan Barai - 'Downward Block'
Gedan barai protects your midsection from attack, but it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of this technique.
What is "Gedan barai"?
Before we begin discussing the technique gedan barai, let's explore the roots of the technique's name.
Gedan
In Japanese-based martial arts we divide the body into 4 primary sections:
| Jodan | The neck and head. |
|---|---|
| Chudan | The upper area of the torso, specifically just above where the obi is tied to the neck. |
| Gedan | The lower area, specifically from the obi to the knee. |
| Hiza / Shita | The hiza is specifically the knee, but the shita refers to the area from the knee to the foot. |
So we can understand that this technique will be targeting the lower midsection (knees to obi).
Barai / Harai
The word barai, or sometimes harai, are used to describe a sweeping motion. We use harai when the sweep is at the begining of the name such as harai goshi, or "sweeping hip throw". Use barai when the sweep is not at the begining of the name, such as gedan barai or de ashi barai.
So we can see from the name that this technique will be a "lower-area sweep". Many English speakers often refer to this technique as "downward block".
How to use Gedan barai
For the kihon of gedan barai, start with the blocking hand extended in front of the body and the other hand chambered.
Bring the blocking hand toward the opposite side of the head in a closed fist with the thumb ending at the side of the ear. Extend the chambered hand so that it extends about 45° away from the body and the fist is in the body's centerline with the hand in a fist with the fingers facing down.
Bring the blocking hand down the line of the guiding arm, ending at the edge of the body. Rotate the fist 90° as it moves so that back of the fist is facing outward at the end of the block. The rotation should be executed as the blocking hand crosses the body's centerline.
Retract the guiding arm back to a chambered position. Beginning practitioners are often taught to retract the guide-arm once the hands cross. As they progress, the block becomes more natural and the guide-arm is retracted in the same motion as the block.
When to use Gedan barai
Gedan barai is used to deflect attacks to the midsection and groin, such as kin geri (groin kick), gedan mae geri (lower-level front kick), and many other frontal attacks. It can also be used in combination with various strikes to break holds on your arms or collar.
When not to use Gedan barai
Remember, gedan barai is a sweep, not a true "block". Do not use it to block gedan mawashi geri (lower-level roundhouse); this could result in serious injury to yourself against a higher-level or stronger practitioner.