Elbows are one of the most effective and useful strikes in Muay Thai. However, I see most fighters making the same mistake time and time again. They choose the wrong elbow for the situation they’re in. As a result, their opponents are able to find openings, as they’re vulnerable.
I got the solution for you. Knowing which type of elbow to use in a particular situation can be the difference between victory and defeat. This is why I’ve decided to write this article; to ensure you don’t make the mistake of choosing an improper elbow for the situation you’re in.
Join us as we unlock the secrets of these devastating elbow strikes, analyzing their proper execution, target areas, and tactical applications. By the end of this read, you’ll be well-versed in the art of wielding elbows, poised to take your Muay Thai prowess to new heights.
The best way to learn and implement the knowledge from this article is by taking one elbow technique and practicing it alone. If you do that, you’ll find it easy to build muscle memory for each of the elbow techniques you’ll be practicing.
That’s why I encourage you to bookmark this article, so you can have easy access to it. It’s something to do if you’re genuinely serious about learning to elbow properly in Muay Thai.
#1 – Horizontal (Cut) Elbow (Sok Ti)
The first type of elbow strike in Muay Thai we’ll review is the horizontal elbow. It’s also called the cut elbow, as it utilizes a cutting motion, which will also lead to cutting your opponent. This is the one you want to start with, as it’s the simplest one to learn and execute properly.
The horizontal elbow is one of the most common and versatile elbow strikes in Muay Thai. To execute this technique, pivot your lead foot and rotate your hips, driving the elbow horizontally across your opponent’s target. The target areas for this strike are usually the head, temple, jaw, or collarbone. It can be used at close range or as a counter when an opponent moves in.
It can also be used to enter the clinch position when you want to do so. You can throw a jab-cross (1-2) combination and follow it up with a horizontal elbow. You also want to step into your opponent’s range when you execute this strike, which will grant you the ability to generate more power.
All in all, the horizontal elbow is a technique you want to familiarize yourself with first. You want to begin learning and honing your skills using it. Step forward when you throw it, as that’ll help you generate more force and potentially make this a knockout strike.
#2 – Spinning Elbow (Sok Glab)
Now that we’ve covered the simplest elbow strike, let’s advance to the most complicated one. While I thought about the placement of this strike a lot, I decided to list it as #2, and I’ll tell you why once we understand what the spinning variation is.
The spinning elbow is an advanced technique that requires excellent timing and control. To execute this move, spin your body around while keeping your elbow close to your body, and then strike with the elbow’s point. This technique can catch opponents by surprise, and if executed correctly, it can deliver a devastating impact.
I see many Muay Thai fighters ignore this variation. The spinning elbow strike is critical to have in your arsenal, as that’ll make you a fearsome fighter, more than if you don’t know to use this fancy move.
I’ve decided to list it as the second one not to encourage you to learn it as your second elbow strike but to encourage you to learn it when you feel comfortable using elbows.
This can be a knockout blow, as you can see in the video above. You want to use the spinning motion to generate more force, which will help you drive much more force with this strike.
While it’s a complicated move, you should definitely learn it and add it to your technique arsenal!
If you want to learn more about the spinning elbow, including tips to execute it perfectly, follow this link.
#3 – Uppercut Elbow
The third type we’ll review is the uppercut elbow. This is one of the most effective and useful strikes to know and have in your arsenal. What it allows you to do, which is why I love it, is to keep your opponent guessing. When you can come from ALL directions with many different strikes, you’ll be more likely to hit the opponent. The missing part for many fighters is observing their opponent for openings.
The uppercut elbow is exactly as it sounds. You’re going to strike starting low and raising your elbow to hit the opponent’s chin. You want to strike with the point of your elbow, as in the previous two strikes we’ve reviewed.
I absolutely am a fan of the uppercut elbow strike because it’ll surprise your opponent. Not only that, but once you hit it, you’ll cause some serious damage, which is exactly what makes a strike effective.
You also want to rotate your hips and feet as if you’re throwing an actual uppercut. The power comes from the hips, and not from the shoulder. However, you also want to rotate your shoulder to maximize damage output.
#4 – Downward Elbow (Sok Tat)
What we’ll cover next is the downward elbow. This, in my opinion, is the most excruciating and painful strike out of all the ones we’ll review. If you get hit with a full-power downward elbow sometimes in your life, you’ll remember my words. Or you probably won’t be able to recall information at that moment, as you’ll be in extreme pain.
The downward elbow is often used when an opponent is in a lowered guard or after you have successfully defended against their strikes. Bring your elbow straight down in a stabbing motion, aiming for the head or shoulders. The downward elbow can be an effective finisher in the clinch or when breaking an opponent’s guard.
I want you to look at how quickly the fighter falls when Jonathan hits him with his downward elbow. It’s one of the most painful experiences a fighter can feel, especially if you hit the head or shoulders.
You want to, once again, use your hips to generate more power with this elbow strike. It’ll allow you to generate more force. However, with this one, you’ll be generating most of your force from your shoulders. As you bring your elbow down and strike the opponent’s head, make sure to include a downward motion from your entire body. This will make generating force more natural and smooth.
#5 – Poking Elbow
The last type we’ll review is the poking elbow strike. This is definitely one I love using because it’s quick and it causes damage. Speed and power are connected. If you can throw a quick elbow, it’ll be more likely to hold more force, especially if you know what you’re doing.
The poking elbow is when you raise your hand as if you’re combing your hair and throwing it quickly toward your opponent, aiming for the head. It’s effective because it’s quick and holds less risk than other types of strikes, such as the uppercut elbow.
Whether you’ll learn it is your decision. However, I encourage you to play around with all the elbow strikes we’ve reviewed in this article. Experiment with them and choose the ones you like and put all your effort into perfecting them.
How to Throw Harder Elbows in Muay Thai
Throwing harder elbows in Muay Thai will allow you to cause more damage and potentially knockout your opponent when you throw one. Here are ten ways to throw harder elbows in Muay Thai!
- Learn the Technique: Proper technique is crucial for generating power. In Muay Thai, there are different types of elbows, such as horizontal elbows, diagonal elbows, and spinning elbows. Each has its own mechanics, but some general tips include:
- Keep your elbow tight to your body before the strike.
- Rotate your hips and shoulders to generate torque.
- Aim with the tip of your elbow, not the forearm.
- Maintain a good balance and stable stance.
- Develop Core Strength: A strong core is essential for generating power in any strike. Incorporate core strengthening exercises into your training routine, such as planks, Russian twists, and leg raises.
- Practice on Heavy Bags and Pads: Hitting heavy bags and pads will help you develop the right muscle memory and timing for your elbow strikes. Focus on technique and gradually increase your power as you become more comfortable.
- Use Your Body Weight: Shift your body weight into the strike. As you throw the elbow, step forward with the same side foot to add momentum and transfer more weight into the target.
- Condition Your Elbows: Elbows are strong bones, but conditioning them will make them more resistant to injury and allow you to hit harder without fear of damaging your own joint. Practice light elbow taps on pads, gradually increasing the intensity over time.
- Timing and Distance: Elbows are short-range strikes, so you need to be close to your opponent. Work on closing the distance effectively and timing your strikes when your opponent is off-guard or vulnerable.
- Use Angles: Create angles of attack to catch your opponent by surprise. Move around their guard and hit them from unexpected directions.
- Train Explosiveness: Incorporate explosive movements like plyometrics and medicine ball exercises into your training. This will help you develop faster and more powerful strikes.
- Conditioning and Endurance: Throwing hard elbows can be physically demanding. Ensure you have good overall conditioning and endurance, as fatigued strikes can lack power and precision.
- Seek Guidance from a Coach: Work with a qualified Muay Thai coach who can provide personalized feedback and guidance on your technique. They can help you refine your form and suggest specific drills to improve your elbow strikes.
Final Words
What we have discussed in this article is the best elbow strikes in Muay Thai, aka “The Art of Eight Limbs”. Your next step is to take the ones you want to learn and practice and go train precisely them.
And if you want to learn all of them, that’s the best possible scenario for you. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and so how can you expect your elbow strikes to be somewhere near good on your first or second day? Make sure to take one elbow strike and work on it until perfection.
Start slowly at first and amp up the pace once you feel comfortable. And remember, bookmark this article to refresh your memory (only if you’re serious about your Muay Thai training.)
Here are other articles you’ll benefit from reading:
Muay Thai 101 – The Straight Elbow (How To)
Elbows in Boxing – Are They Legal? Can You Block?
How to Kick Higher in Muay Thai (5 Drills + Tips)
How to Counter Effectively in Muay Thai – The 7 Best Ways
5 Muay Thai Heavy Bag Drills That’ll Boost Your Fighting Skills