Intermediate
Unit 12: Elbows
Horizontal Elbows
Advanced Horizontal Elbow Drills
Creating Angles and Countering
The Elbow as a Counter-Weapon
At an advanced level, the horizontal elbow becomes a devastating counter-attacking tool. It's no longer just a close-range strike; it's a strategic weapon used to intercept an opponent's attack, create a dominant angle, and end the exchange. These challenging drills focus on the timing, footwork, and deception needed to land elbows in dynamic situations.
Challenging Horizontal Elbow Drills
Drill 1: The Slip and Elbow
A classic counter to a straight punch.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a jab.
2. The Slip: Slip your head to the *outside* of their jab.
3. The Counter: As you come up from the slip, your hips are loaded. Immediately fire a powerful Rear Horizontal Elbow over their extended arm.
Drill 2: The Frame, Angle, and Elbow
A close-range clinch defense.
1. The Frame: Your partner enters the clinch. Immediately place your lead forearm on their collarbone to create space.
2. The Angle: Take a sharp 45-degree step to the outside with your lead foot.
3. The Counter: This angle gives you a clear line of attack. Fire a sharp Lead Horizontal Elbow around their guard.
Drill 3: The "Dutch" Hook to Elbow
A deceptive offensive combination.
1. The Hook: Throw a hard Lead Hook to the head to make your partner shell up.
2. The Elbow: Instead of resetting, use the rotation from your hook to immediately flow into a powerful Rear Horizontal Elbow that cuts across their guard.
Keys to an Effective Advanced Elbow Game
- Create the Angle First: Advanced elbow strikes are rarely landed straight on. Use your footwork and head movement to create an angle before you throw.
- Close the Distance Safely: You must enter elbow range to be effective. Always close the distance behind a punch, a feint, or a defensive movement.
- Power Comes from Hip Rotation: Just like a hook, the power of a horizontal elbow comes from a sharp pivot of your feet and rotation of your hips.
- The Other Hand is Your Shield: Your non-striking hand must be glued to your chin, especially in close range where counters are fast and frequent.
Tomahawk/Smashing Elbows
Advanced Tomahawk Elbow Drills
The Art of the Downward Strike
The Sok Ti: The Chopping Elbow
The tomahawk elbow, or "Sok Ti," is a devastating downward chopping strike, famous for its ability to cause cuts. At an advanced level, it's not just thrown as a lead; it's a powerful counter and a strategic tool to punish an opponent's mistakes. These challenging drills focus on the timing and setups required to land this elbow effectively in a dynamic fight.
Challenging Tomahawk Elbow Drills
Drill 1: The Overhand Counter
A powerful counter to a looping punch.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a wide overhand punch.
2. The Block & Step: Block the punch with your forearm and take a small step in to close the distance.
3. The Counter: As you block, immediately fire your own Tomahawk Elbow over their arm, targeting their temple or eyebrow.
Drill 2: The Clinch Break Elbow
Using the elbow to escape a position.
1. The Grip: Your partner secures a clinch grip on you.
2. The Break: Use one hand to aggressively push their bicep down and away, creating a small opening.
3. The Counter: Immediately fill that space with a sharp Tomahawk Elbow to their face.
Drill 3: The Level Change Setup
A deception-based setup.
1. The Body Shot: Throw a hard Rear Cross to the body to make your opponent drop their hands.
2. The Elbow: As they react to the body shot, immediately come over the top with a powerful Rear Tomahawk Elbow to their now-exposed head.
Keys to a Devastating Tomahawk Elbow
- Lift and Chop: The power comes from lifting your elbow high and then chopping down at a 45-degree angle.
- Use Your Whole Body: Drop your weight and rotate your hips into the strike for maximum force.
- Be Precise: Aim for vulnerable, cut-prone areas like the eyebrow, forehead, and cheekbone.
- Close the Distance Safely: Like all elbows, this is a close-range weapon. You must enter the pocket behind a block, parry, or setup.
Uppercut Elbows
Advanced Uppercut Elbow Drills
The Art of Splitting the Guard
The Sok Ngad: The Guard Breaker
The uppercut elbow, or "Sok Ngad," is a vicious close-range strike designed to travel straight up the center, splitting the opponent's guard and targeting the chin. At an advanced level, it becomes a powerful tool to punish opponents who shell up or lean forward. These challenging drills focus on creating the openings needed to land this devastating strike.
Challenging Uppercut Elbow Drills
Drill 1: The Body Rip Counter
A counter to an opponent's body shot.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a lead hook to your body.
2. The Block: Block the punch by tucking your lead elbow down to your ribs.
3. The Counter: As you block, immediately fire your Rear Uppercut Elbow straight up the middle, capitalizing on the opening they created.
Drill 2: Splitting the High Guard
An aggressive way to break a defensive shell.
1. The Setup: Throw a fast Jab-Cross to make your partner cover their head.
2. The Entry: Take a small step forward to enter elbow range.
3. The Elbow: Drive a powerful Rear Uppercut Elbow straight up through the small gap in their guard, aiming for the chin.
Drill 3: The Fake Teep Setup
A high-level deception drill.
1. The Fake: Lift your lead leg as if throwing a teep, forcing your partner to focus their attention low.
2. The Step-In: Instead of kicking, plant your lead foot down aggressively, closing the distance.
3. The Elbow: As you step in, immediately throw a sharp Lead Uppercut Elbow.
Keys to a Devastating Uppercut Elbow
- Power from the Legs: The power comes from driving up from your legs and hips, not from swinging your arm.
- Keep it Tight: The elbow should travel in a straight, vertical line. A looping uppercut elbow is weak and easy to see.
- Hand to Chest: As you throw the elbow, your striking hand should come towards your own chest or shoulder.
- Create the Opening First: A naked uppercut elbow is difficult to land. Always use punches, feints, or defensive movements to create an opening before you strike.
Downward Slash Elbows
Advanced Downward Slash Elbow Drills
The Art of the Chopping Elbow
The Sok Ti: The Cutting Weapon
The downward slash, or "tomahawk elbow," is a devastating close-range strike famous for its ability to cause cuts. At an advanced level, it's used to punish opponents for leaning in or to slice through a high guard. These challenging drills focus on creating the openings needed to land this powerful strike.
Challenging Downward Slash Combos
Drill 1: Cross to Downward Elbow
A drill for creating angles.
1. The Setup: Throw a hard Rear Cross to make your opponent shell up.
2. The Angle: As they cover, step your lead foot to an outside angle.
3. The Elbow: From this new angle, chop a Rear Downward Elbow over the top of their guard.
Drill 2: Clinch Break to Elbow
Using the elbow to escape a position.
1. The Grip: Your partner secures a clinch grip on you.
2. The Break: Use one hand to aggressively push their bicep down and away, creating a small opening.
3. The Counter: Immediately fill that space with a sharp Lead Downward Elbow to their face.
Drill 3: Body Rip to Downward Elbow
A level-changing setup.
1. The Body Shot: Throw a hard Lead Hook to the body to make your opponent drop their elbow.
2. The Elbow: As they react to the body shot, immediately come over the top with a powerful Rear Downward Elbow to their now-exposed head.
Keys to a Devastating Downward Elbow
- Lift and Chop: The power comes from lifting your elbow high and then chopping down at a 45-degree angle.
- Create the Angle First: Use your footwork or a setup to create an angle before throwing the elbow.
- Use Your Whole Body: Drop your weight and rotate your hips into the strike for maximum force.
- Be Precise: Aim for vulnerable, cut-prone areas like the eyebrow and forehead.
Spinning Elbows
Advanced Spinning Elbow Drills
The Art of Deception and Power
The Sok Klap: The Fight Ender
The spinning back elbow, or "Sok Klap," is a high-risk, high-reward technique that can end a fight in an instant. At an advanced level, it's not thrown randomly; it's a calculated strike set up by feints, counters, and offensive momentum. These challenging drills focus on creating the openings needed to land this spectacular and devastating attack.
Challenging Spinning Elbow Drills
Drill 1: The Hook to Spin
A classic setup using offensive momentum.
1. The Hook: Throw a hard Lead Hook to the head. Intentionally "miss" or slide past the pad.
2. The Spin: Use the rotational momentum from the missed hook to flow directly into a spin.
3. The Elbow: Look over your rear shoulder and land a powerful Spinning Back Elbow.
Drill 2: The Parry to Spin
A counter to your opponent's jab.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a jab.
2. The Parry & Step: Parry their jab outwards with your rear hand. As you parry, take a deep step forward and across with your lead foot.
3. The Elbow: This step initiates the spin. Look over your rear shoulder and land the Spinning Back Elbow.
Drill 3: The Fake Kick to Spin
A high-level deception drill.
1. The Fake: Fake a Rear Teep to make your partner brace for impact.
2. The Cross Step: Instead of kicking, plant your rear foot forward and across your body (a cross step).
3. The Elbow: This cross step is the trigger for your spin. Continue the motion to land the Spinning Back Elbow.
Keys to a Devastating Spinning Elbow
- Spot the Target: You must look over your shoulder as you spin to aim the elbow. Never throw it blind.
- Commit to the Spin: A hesitant spin has no power and leaves you vulnerable. The movement must be fluid, fast, and confident.
- Protect Your Head: Your non-striking hand should be up, protecting the side of your head as you turn.
- Set it Up: Don't throw a spinning elbow from a static position. Use it as a counter or after a combination that forces your opponent to react.