The chest block, or chudan uke, is a foundational technique in all karate. However, we should realize that it is not limited to just blocking or protecting the chest level of our body. There are many other applications for this technique. Here, we are examining the windup and chest-block motion as striking the back of the neck, grabbing the chin/face, and pealing the head back to expose a target for the hammer fist (face, side of head, or throat). Various possible follow up techniques–here, we are practicing the hammer fist and knee strike.
