diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 45280cb..134f74b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ Role Variables
 
 Set the default policy:
 
-    ufw_default_policy: deny
+    ufw_default_policy:
+      - { direction: "incoming", policy: "deny" }
+
 
 Add or remove rules:
 
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 7a5ea9e..5398cfe 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -3,4 +3,6 @@
 ufw_rules_to_create: []
 ufw_rules_to_delete: []
 
-ufw_default_policy: deny
+ufw_default_policy:
+  - { direction: "incoming", policy: "deny" }
+  
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index c579d67..6896fda 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@
 
 - name: set default policy
   ufw:
-    policy: "{{ ufw_default_policy }}"
+    policy: "{{ item.policy }}"
+    direction: "{{ item.direction }}"
+  with_items: "{{ ufw_default_policy }}"
 
 - name: enable and start ufw
   ufw: