How to block punches to your head when fighting

When it comes to fighting, one of the worst things to happen is to get punched in the head. For obvious reasons, this can hurt and can cause severe injuries such as brain damage. With this in mind, it’s best to learn how to learn to block punches as effectively as possible. Furthermore, a lot of these blocking strategies also apply for blocks against kicks, headbutts, and other strikes.

In short, we’ve looked at six different martial arts and analyzed how they block punches. We’re not saying that one technique is better or worse than other moves. Instead, we’re merely presenting these methods without bias, on how to block punches with your arms. If you learn how to block properly, it could easily win you a fight, or even save your life.

Boxing punch block

Perhaps the most common way to block punches is taught in boxing. Here, the idea is to curl your arm upwards on the side of your head. This will hopefully use the arm to soak up the bulk of the blow, rather than the head. This method is used to counter hook punches, rather than jabs as it can’t really be done to protect the face or front of the head. However, it is pretty effective and tested when it comes to blocking strikes to the side of your head.

When it comes to blocking punches down the throat, there are other methods used in boxing too. For instance, the standard boxing defense with your two hands raised are used to block punches directly aimed at your face. This is especially useful whilst wearing boxing gloves. Because of their large surface area and softer feel – blocking punches with your gloves is a viable strategy and is better than getting blows to the face. Often, the threat of having both hands raised is a good enough deterrent alone to stop people punching you face on.

Wing Chun punch block

Unlike boxing, Wing Chun blocking is very different. Typically as a system, Wing Chun focuses on defending strikes that are face on. In other words, its blocking is very good when dealing with straight punches from close range. However, Wing Chun arguably struggles when dealing with hooks and blows from the side.

The way in which Wing Chun blocks punches is by using both arms that block using their forearms as well as wrists. This is called ‘trapping’ and relies on blocking with your forearms, then using your wrist to move the opponent’s arm into an advantageous position. From there, you can reply with strikes of your own, including punches and elbows.

Unlike certain other martial arts, Wing Chun is dependent on the speed of your arms and requires great timing. Arguably this system is more intricate compared to blocking from other martial arts. Overall, this could be a good or bad thing, dependent on your perspective.

Karate punch block

One of the biggest parts of Karate is its emphasis on blocking. In short, blocking in Karate is taught early on and is an important part of the Japanese martial art. Typically, this means raising your arm to meet a punch and blocking with the boney part of your forearm. In theory, this will not only defend yourself but also hurt the attacker. Ideally, the bone in your arm should hurt them when striking and give both attacking and defensive options.

This block is available from the opening stance of Karate, where your arm is raised in anticipation to defend and block. In other words, the forearm is used as your personal shield which can also set up counterstrikes if used correctly. When used properly, the forearm can block punches to the head, or even be lowered to defend punches to the body too.

Another big part of Karate is conditioning the body. As you may have expected, this comes in handy when blocking punches as the harder your body is, the painful it will be to strike.

Muay Thai punch block

Muay Thai also has its own take on blocking punches. Unsurprisingly, this is similar to boxing as the two have a lot of similarities. When blocking punches in Muay Thai, usually the practitioner will raise both their arms upwards, sometimes with one slightly more forward if that is the side that the punch is being thrown on. The point of this is to soak up as much damage as possible and defend the head.

Sometimes, Muay Thai fighters will also do this whilst raising their knee and touching it with their elbow which also forms a barrier against punches or kicks to the body. Like many other martial arts, the idea is to use your arms and limbs as shields to protect the head and body against greater damage. In some cases, Muay Thai blocking can look very similar to the blocks used in boxing which makes sense as they both have a similar ruleset. The reason for putting two arms up (sometimes) is due to defending combinations such as kicks and elbows that can also be thrown in.

Grappling punch block

In grappling such as wrestling or Judo, blocking isn’t really taught as these disciplines rarely practice strikes. However, if you train these with an MMA setting in mind, you may want to incorporate blocks into your training. In grappling, you can block punches by using the overhook. This is literally when you wrap your arm over the arm of the opponent like a lasso. As a result, it makes it physically impossible for your opponent to punch with that arm.

This is often used by the guard on the ground to set up sweeps and submissions, whilst defending yourself from punches. You can also use overhooks from standing too such as wrestling. In some circles, this is also called a whizzer. If you’re both on your feet, you could get an overhook to block strikes on that side, then trip the opponent to that side by taking away their base.

To block whilst grappling, you will have to get in close and shut down the distance, otherwise the above tactics won’t work. Remember, there are certain dangers when grappling though such as bites and headbutts which can’t be defended by grabbing the opponent.

Aikido punch block

Aikido rarely teaches conventional blocks but instead teaches misdirection by using your hands to intercept blows. Unlike Wing Chun, this uses less of your arms and usually involves gripping the wrist of your opponent with your own wrist. The idea is then to twist their wrist which causes a wrist lock or armlock, which forces them towards the ground.

Arguably, with enough momentum and force, this could effectively defend a strike to the head, on one condition. This would rely on great timing and being able to intercept the punch whilst in mid-strike. Obviously, this is difficult to do and has dire consequences, nonetheless, it is taught in Aikido and involves fast feet and sleight of hand movements.

Conclusion

If you’re a true martial artist then it’s best to be open-minded, and this is the case for blocking in fights. In other words, whilst the likes of boxing blocks are great – you can also learn from Wing Chun and grappling to build a more comprehensive blocking system. When everything is put together, this will make you a greater, more knowledgeable martial artist which is what it’s all about.

So, if you want to learn to block then realize that every discipline is different. Take time to learn that everything is situational too and what works in some scenarios may be worthless in others.

If you want to improve your chances of winning a fight then also check out this book which is based on footwork – a vital aspect of defense and offense.