Stand with your left arm pointed out in front of you and your right arm, with the hand in a fist, bent so that your palm is turned toward your ear. You should feel as if your elbows are squeezing toward each other. Pull your left hand back to your hip as you snap your right elbow and wrist down, as if slashing downward a big sword. At the end of the block, your right hand should line up with your hip, and your elbow should be about one fist from your ribs.
Inside Block (Uchi Uke)
Stand with your right arm pointed out in front of you and your right hand in a fist, under your armpit. Pull your left hand to your hip, and snap your right elbow forward to the center of your chest so that the palm of your blocking fist is facing you.
Outside Block (Soto Uke)
Stand with your left arm pointed out in front of you and your right hand in a fist, at your ear, with the little finger pointed up. Pull your left hand to your hip, and snap your right elbow around to the front of your chest so that the palm of your fist is facing to you.
Rising Block (Age Uke)
Start by placing your left hand on your hip and your right hand in the open hand blocking position as your guide. As you start to block with your left hand, simultaneously draw the right hand down toward your hip. Keep the arms relaxed and close to the body and keep the palms turned toward the body, as the elbows of each hand pass close to each other. As the block finishes, stay relaxed, but snap the left wrist and elbow sharply into the new blocking position.