Face Block

Face Block (顔面ブロック) is Ryo Ishizaki's trademark skill.

Descripton[]

As the name suggests, the player uses his face to block the shot. It can only be pulled off with a reckless spirit and lack of fear.

Users[]

Ryo Ishizaki	Shingo Aoi	Tsubasa Ozora	Tomeya Akai
Yuzo Morisaki	Radunga	Thoram	Payol
Brolin

History[]

It first appeared in the Kids' Dream arc, where Tsubasa used his face to block Hyuga's shot in order to give confidence back to Morisaki. The first time Ishizaki used the technique was when he blocked Hyuga's bullet shot and saved Wakabayashi's goal net. Later, it was useful during the Boys' Fight arc, where both Tsubasa and Ishizaki did a demi combi play to block Hyuga's attempt to shot. While Hyuga did not shot to avoid Tsubasa's interference, the blind spot he gave the opponent, allowed Ishizaki to jump and effectively counter Hyuga's Tiger Shot. Then, it was useful in the finals of the J Boys' Challenge arcs against Schneider's Fire Shot.

In Battle of World Youth arc, Ishizaki's sacrifice with the New Face Block in the finals had a big impact to the team.

In Golden-23 arc, Ishizaki can also use this technique when diving, a feat he accomplished by stopping Mark Duviga's bullet shot ^[1].

Face Block ch63 (BWY) 1 — Ishizaki's Diving Face Block

Face Trap ch78 (RS) 0 — Ishizaki's Face Trap

Variations[]

Diving Face Block: A Face Block performed while diving.
Face Pass: Ishizaki follows even a seemingly unreachable ball with determination, leaping at it, catching and passing it to a teammate with his face.
Face Trap: Ishizaki traps the ball with his own face, as a part of his Heel Lift technique, in order to successfully surpass his opponent and continue his dribble.
Right-Angle Defense + Stretching Face Block: It is a double-step technique, where Akai first utilizes his Right-Angle Defense to get closer to the ball than his opponent, then uses both hands to stretch and reach the ball, successfully repelling the incoming pass with a Face Block.
Scramble Face Block: Ishizaki uses Jito's strong legs to jump towards the ball and block it with his face. This special block can be used between these two defenders.

Trivia[]

During the match against Saudi Arabia Youth, after Ishizaki failed to reach Vulcan's diving header with his Face Block, Shingo Aoi successfully stopped it with a second one, which he dubbed "Face Block 2".

Gallery[]

Notes[]

↑ Golden-23 arc, chapter 107, pages 14-15.

[1] Golden-23 arc, chapter 107, pages 14-15.

[1]