E L B O W S
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
ELBOWS
ELBOWS
The elbow are a unique strike to Muay Thai. The elbows are used when close to your target – whether it is your heavy bag, pads, training partner, etc.
The point of impact on an elbow strike is the tip of the elbow. The fundamental eblows in Muay Thai are the (1) horizontal elbow, (2) uppercut elbow, (3) slashing elbow, and (4) diagonal elbow.
Practice the techniques shown below to develop a strong foundation in elbow strikes.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
ELBOWS
LEAD HORIZONTAL ELBOW
The lead horizontal elbow is the lead/left elbow striking the target while staying parallel to the floor.
How to Throw a Lead Horizontal Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your left arm into position:
-
Start by placing you right hand above your left eyebrow with your palms facing out – and your thumb facing down. This is your guard, it protects your face.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor (horizontal)
And at the same time, you will be placing your left arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by placing your right fist on your sternum (middle of your chest) – then open up your palm.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor.
Tip: The rotation of the feet and body is similar to the left hook movements.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with the rotation of your lead/lead foot.
-
Follow with the hip and squeeze your abs tight.
-
Follow with the lead/left elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around eye level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (left elbow will hit the partners’ left pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways to catch your punch.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your left foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
REAR HORIZONTAL ELBOW
The rear horizontal elbow is the rear/right elbow striking the target while staying parallel to the floor.
How to Throw a Rear Horizontal Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your left arm into position:
-
Start by placing you left hand above your right eyebrow with your palms facing out – and your thumb facing down. This is your guard, it protects your face.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor (horizontal)
And at the same time, you will be placing your right arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by placing your right fist on your sternum (middle of your chest) – then open up your palm.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor.
Tip: The rotation of the feet and body is similar to the right hook movements.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with the rotation of your rear/right foot.
-
Follow with the hip and squeeze your abs tight.
-
Follow with the rear/right elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around eye level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (right elbow will hit the partners’ right pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways to catch your punch.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your right foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
ELBOWS
LEAD UPPERCUT ELBOW
The lead uppercut elbow is the lead/left elbow striking the target while staying perpendicular to the floor.
How to Throw a Lead Uppercut Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your right arm into position:
-
Your right arm stays in its stance position.
And at the same time, you will be placing your left arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by moving your left arm upwards from your stance/guard with an open palm.
-
While moving, slide your open palm across the side of your head all the way back towards your spine.
Tip: Focus on rotating your shoulder upward.
Tip: Act as if your lead hand is sliding down your spine.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with a slide forward movement of the lead foot.
-
Follow with a slight rotation of the heel and hips
-
Follow with the lead/left elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the middle of the bag, preferably around chin level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (left elbow will hit the partners’ left pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways, and at about the chin level to catch your elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your left foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
REAR UPPERCUT ELBOW
The rear uppercut elbow is the rear/right elbow striking the target while staying perpendicular to the floor.
How to Throw a Rear Uppercut Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your left arm into position:
-
Your left arm stays in its stance position.
And at the same time, you will be placing your right arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by moving your right arm upwards from your stance/guard with an open palm.
-
While moving, slide your open palm across the side of your head all the way back towards your spine.
Tip: Focus on rotating your shoulder upward.
Tip: Act as if your lead hand is sliding down your spine.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with a slide forward movement of the lead foot.
-
Follow with a slight rotation of the rear/right heel and hips
-
Follow with the rear/right elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the middle of the bag, preferably around chin level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (right elbow will hit the partners’ right pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways, and at about the chin level to catch your elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your right foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
ELBOWS
LEAD SLASHING ELBOW
The lead slashing elbow is the lead/left elbow striking the target in a downward diagonal (45 degree) to the target.
How to Throw a Lead Slashing Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: The lead slashing elbow strike is similar to the horizontal elbow - but raising the striking elbow about 45 degrees higher above the hoziontal plane. basically just raising the elbow about a fist size higher than the horizontal elbow arm positioning.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your right arm into position:
-
Start by placing your right hand above your left eyebrow with your palms facing out – and your thumb facing down. This is your guard, it protects your face.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor (horizontal).
And at the same time, you will be placing your left arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by placing your left fist on your sternum (middle of your chest) – then open up your palm.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor.
-
Then raise your elbow about a fist size upwards.
Tip: The rotation of the feet and body is similar to the left hook movements.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with the rotation of your lead/left foot.
-
Follow with the hip and squeeze your abs tight.
-
Follow with the lead/left elbow downwards in a diagonal across the body into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around eye level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (left elbow will hit the partners’ left pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways at an angle upwards to catch your elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your left foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
REAR SLASHING ELBOW
The rear slashing elbow is the rear/right elbow striking the target in a downward diagonal (45 degree) to the target.
How to Throw a Rear Slashing Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: The rear slashing elbow strike is similar to the rear horizontal elbow - but raising the striking elbow about 45 degrees higher above the hoziontal plane. basically just raising the elbow about a fist size higher than the horizontal elbow arm positioning.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your left arm into position:
-
Start by placing your left hand above your right eyebrow with your palms facing out – and your thumb facing down. This is your guard, it protects your face.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor (horizontal).
And at the same time, you will be placing your right arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by placing your right fist on your sternum (middle of your chest) – then open up your palm.
-
Your forearm should be parallel to the floor.
-
Then raise your elbow about a fist size upwards.
Tip: The rotation of the feet and body is similar to the right hook movements.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with the rotation of your rear/right foot.
-
Follow with the hip and squeeze your abs tight.
-
Follow with the rear/right elbow downwards in a diagonal across the body into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around eye level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (right elbow will hit the partners’ right pad). The partner should hold the pad sideways at an angle upwards to catch your downward elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your right foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot first.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
ELBOWS
LEAD DIAGONAL ELBOW
The lead diagonal elbow is the lead/left elbow striking the target in an upward diagonal motion across the body.
How to Throw a Lead Diagonal Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: The movement and starting positiong in the lead diagonal lashing elbow strike is similar to the uppercut elbow.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your right arm into position:
-
Your right arm stays in its stance position.
And at the same time, you will be placing your left arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by moving your left arm upwards in a 45 degree angle across your body with an open palm.
-
like the horizontal elbow - the lead palm will be on the chest, but this time it should be around the armpit area to get that better extension for the diagonal strike upwards.
Tip: Focus on rotating your shoulder upward.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with a slide forward movement of the lead foot.
-
Follow with about 45 degree rotation of the lead left foot and hips
-
Follow with the lead/left elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the middle of the bag, preferably around chin level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (left elbow will hit the partners’ left pad). The partner should hold the pad downwards, and at about the chin level to catch your elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your left foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
LEAD DIAGONAL ELBOW
The lead diagonal elbow is the lead/left elbow striking the target in an upward diagonal motion across the body.
How to Throw a Lead Diagonal Elbow
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: The movement and starting positiong in the lead diagonal lashing elbow strike is similar to the uppercut elbow.
Step Two:
Next, you will be placing your right arm into position:
-
Your right arm stays in its stance position.
And at the same time, you will be placing your left arm (striking elbow) into position:
-
Start by moving your left arm upwards in a 45 degree angle across your body with an open palm.
-
like the horizontal elbow - the lead palm will be on the chest, but this time it should be around the armpit area to get that better extension for the diagonal strike upwards.
Tip: Focus on rotating your shoulder upward.
Step Three:
Next,
-
Lead with a slide forward movement of the lead foot.
-
Follow with about 45 degree rotation of the lead left foot and hips
-
Follow with the lead/left elbow into the target.
Tip: This will all be in one continuous motion.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the middle of the bag, preferably around chin level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite hand (left elbow will hit the partners’ left pad). The partner should hold the pad downwards, and at about the chin level to catch your elbow.
Tip: To increase power, jerk the hip and squeeze your abs hard! And at the moment of impact make sure to pivot your left foot harder.
Step Four:
Once you reach the impact, return to the original stance position – your left/lead fist at the eyebrow level, right/rear fist slightly above the eyebrows - and elbows tucked in.
Tip: To increase power, take a short step forwards with your left foot (only the lead foot, keep the rear foot planted).
