Elbowing your opponent—can inflict massive damage quickly. However, it requires you to risk being open, as you step closer to the other fighter. In some martial art, using elbows—is illegal. Let’s examine the case of one of the most popular and dangerous sports in the entire world, boxing.
Throwing elbows in boxing is illegal. However, blocking punches with your elbow—is legal. That said, by executing the Elbow block, you’re more than likely leaving your stance wide open. As a result, the opponent can utilize the opportunity you presented by throwing a fierce hook or an uppercut.
Boxing, as a martial art, is the art of punching. You essentially have two weapons, your fists. If you were to permit elbows in this sport, it would become a more dynamic version of fighting.
While this can be more effective in real life, it’ll also make it an entirely different sport. Indeed, a fierce elbow can knock out someone with a single strike. Will learning it be effective in street fights and self-defense? 100%.
And still, boxing is the sport of punching. You can keep adding fighting techniques; in the end, it’ll become more like MMA. That’s why using elbows in boxing is illegal, although it’s a devastating blow.
Before we dive in, if you want to learn more about the rules of boxing, follow the link to an article of mine breaking down all the rules.
Is throwing elbows effective?
The reason you can’t throw elbows in boxing is because these are the rules. Really, it is that simple. It’s the art of punching rather than anything else. Therefore, using kicks, knees, or any other striking technique which isn’t with the fists—is illegal.
Elbows are one of the most effective offensive means in martial arts. However, it’s legal in fighting styles, such as boxing and kickboxing. Nevertheless, Muay-Thai, for instance, allows the use of elbows, as it’s a part of its history. If you manage to land a clean elbow, you’ll cause massive damage to the opponent.
That’s why you see numerous martial arts, such as MMA and Muay-Thai, use elbows as one of their primary attacks. Whenever you can get close to your opponent, you’ll be capable of closing the distance and throwing yourself to the opponent using a fierce elbow.
It truly is not uncommon to see knockouts in street fights with an elbow.
Can you block punches with elbows in boxing?
Blocking is a separate skill from being offensive. If you don’t know how to block hits from the opponent, you also won’t be able to keep yourself free from damage. Thus, you’ll be less likely to win more matches, as you’ll always be in pain and struggling to make the offensive move.
You can block punches with your elbow in boxing. However, such a block is mostly ineffective because it leaves you open for the rebound punch, which is usually a hook to the other side. However, some professional boxers use this block as a part of their strategy, as it’s entirely legal to execute.
Eventually, while one boxer can have an incredible offensive game, if he’s incapable of blocking-off hits, he won’t be able to win as much.
Elbows can be a superb way to block punches and throw a counter. However, do notice how it can leave you wide open for the opponent to simply throw a punch in your direction. For instance, if you block off with your right elbow, you can expect to receive a left hook.
Try honing your defensive skills almost as much as your offensive game. This can be in the form of working on your footwork or simply practicing dodging punches.
If you want to learn more about defensive game, follow the link to read about the best defensive head movements that you should learn.
Why are elbows not allowed in boxing?
Boxing is one martial art. It has its own rules and guidelines. You can’t go ahead and change its entire rules by adding a fighting technique. If you were to do so, you would have to name this fighting style differently, as it won’t remain to be boxing.
Elbows are not allowed in boxing because it’s all about using your fists. If you were to add elbows to the equation, you would have gotten a martial art that’s somewhere in between boxing and Muay-Thai. As you understand, such an act won’t bring positive results, as it’ll ruin the entire purpose.
Eventually, while you may currently want to learn the technique of elbowing, to ensure you know how to use it in street fights or self-defense, boxing doesn’t include it. As such, if you still desire to study it, you should choose another martial art, such as MMA or Muay-Thai.
What punches are illegal in boxing?
Boxing has many rules. That’s to ensure a fair fight while following its rules. Fist fighting is all about, well, using the fists. If you were to include different techniques, such as elbowing or kicking, you wouldn’t be able to call this style boxing.
Boxing includes various illegal punches, such as:
- Elbows
- Rabbit punches
- Kidney punches
- Punches to the back
- Striking with any part that is not your closed fist
- Punching below the belt
Performing one of these illegal punches might get you disqualified. Likewise, you may only get a warning. But, if you cause enough damage or perform a highly immoral act, such as punching below the belt, you would get disqualified immediately.
Elbowing is, indeed, illegal. If you want to learn it, you’ll be better off studying Muay-Thai or MMA.
Can you throw elbows in boxing?
You can’t throw elbows in boxing because it’s illegal to do so. The martial art of boxing—includes the use of punching exclusively. As a result, any other type of strike—will be illegal, such as knees, elbows, and kicks. Of course, you can use your elbow for defensive and blocking means; pro boxers use it sometimes.
Final words
To end this article, I want to emphasize a key point you should take. The reason there are no elbows in boxing isn’t because it’s more effective. Rather, it’s because the martial art that is boxing, is all about using the fists. As a result, if you were to add another technique, you would ruin its purpose.
Throughout history, people used boxing as a way of solving conflicts. Its rules still remain until today. For instance, elbowing was illegal even many years in the past. So, you can understand why it’s illegal today.
However, elbowing can cause massive damage to the opponent. As a result, if you want to broaden your tool box, so you’ll be capable of adapting to any dangerous situation, I encourage you to learn how to kick, grapple, and elbow. By broadening your tool box, you’ll be more dynamic in real time, which matters the most.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you’ll also enjoy reading about the best boxing shoes for your money. If you want to boost your boxing skills and take your game to the next level, you have to be more stable in the ring. These shoes can help you do so; follow the link to see the complete list.