Seiken gedan barai

Name

Romaji:
Seiken gedan barai

Japanese:
正拳下段払い

English:
Low sweeping block

Terminology

Gedan indicates the low level. Barai denotes sweeping or clearing away.

Position in the sequence

Block:
Hidari sanchin-dachi

Position in the sequence:
Technique 13

Preceded by:
Seiken chūdan uchi uke

Followed by:
Seiken chūdan uchi uke_gedan_barai

Starting position

Hidari sanchin-dachi, compact guard.

Commands

Follows seiken chūdan uchi uke in block 3.

Counting

Practiced in the main count of block 3.

Kiai

According to the main count.

Execution

The arm sweeps downward and away to clear the low line. The movement should be distinctly downward, not merely low.

Technical key points

• the block must actually travel downward
• the body carries the movement
• the final position should feel functional
• the hand must not hang at the end

Common errors

• path too small
• endpoint too high
• hand movement without the body
• loose final position

Purpose

To train a basic low sweeping block with a clear line.

Relationship to further training

Idō Geiko: Carries into a low block with movement.

Kata: A central low-blocking principle.

Kumite: A basis for clearing the low line.