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How to Do a Muay Thai Elbow

Contributor
By Donnell Peavy
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Muay Thai, also known as the science of eight limbs, has earned notoriety as one of the most lethal fighting styles in existence, due in part to the sports violent history, and also in part to it recent success as the dominant stand up martial art used in mixed martial arts competitions. The style of Muay Thai is famous for its use of elbows and knees, and for its devastating roundhouse kick. Muay Thai utilizes several variations of elbow strikes including the cross, upward and stabbing elbow strikes. This article will cover the cross elbow.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Assume a fighting stance. The feet should be staggered, knees slightly bent and you should be on the ball of your rear foot for mobility. The hands should be covering the face, palms in with the rear hand covering the cheek and the lead hand a few inches in front of your face. Your chin should be tucked into your chest.

  2. Step 2

    Driving off of the ball of your rear foot, pivot your body toward your opponent. This is where the power in the strike is generated. It does not take a lot of power to inflict heavy damage with an elbow strike due to the structure of the elbow; elbow strikes frequently cause cuts. This is the main reason they are illegal in many competitions.

  3. Step 3

    Turn your arm horizontally, keeping the elbow tight. your bicep should be touching your forearm. Bend your wrist, pointing your fingers toward the ground.

  4. Step 4

    Continue your pivot, bringing your elbow to the front of your face. Your elbow should not pass your nose. This is for efficiency reasons as wasted movement can leave you open a counter attack.

  5. Step 5

    As your elbow approaches its target, pull your lead hand back to your cheek. this is to protect your chin while you are striking. Your chin should remain tucked.

Tips & Warnings
  • This technique can target any area of the body, however the most common area is the jaw. Another excellent target is the solar plexus.
  • Elbow strikes are extremely dangerous. Practice them on a heavy bag, not on another person.

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