Fundamentals
Unit 12: Elbows
Horizontal
Uppercut Elbow
The Uppercut Elbow (Sok Ngad)
Splitting the Guard
The Sok Ngad
The uppercut elbow is a vicious close-range strike designed to travel straight up the center, splitting the opponent's guard and targeting the chin. Its power comes from a sharp upward drive from the legs and hips, making it a powerful knockout tool when an opponent shells up or leans forward.
Drills for the Uppercut Elbow
Drill 1: Clinch Control
From a clinch position, use one hand to pull down on your partner's head, breaking their posture. As their head comes down, drive up with a powerful Uppercut Elbow to the chin with your free arm. This drill emphasizes control leading to the strike.
Drill 2: Shell Counter
Have your pad holder cover up in a tight shell guard. Practice stepping in and throwing alternating Lead and Rear Uppercut Elbows, aiming for the small gap between their gloves to strike the chin.
Keys to Success
- Drive from the Legs: The power is not an arm swing; it's a full-body movement driving vertically from the ground up.
- Keep it Tight: The elbow should travel in a straight line up the center. Don't let it loop out wide.
- Hand Position: Your striking hand should come towards your own chest or shoulder as you throw the elbow.
- Chin Down, Guard Up: As always, keep your chin tucked and your non-striking hand protecting your head.
Downward Slash
The Downward Elbow (Sok Ti)
The Ultimate Cutting Tool
The Sok Ti
The downward elbow is perhaps the most iconic cutting weapon in Muay Thai. Thrown in a sharp, chopping motion at a 45-degree angle, it's designed to slice open an opponent's forehead or eyebrow. This strike is often used to finish combinations or to counter an opponent who is leaning in, using gravity to add to its power.
Drills for the Downward Elbow
Drill 1: Hook to Downward Elbow
Throw a lead hook to get your opponent to raise their guard. Immediately follow with a Rear Downward Elbow that chops over the top of their guard. The hook serves to occupy their defense and create the opening.
Drill 2: Knee to Elbow
From the clinch, throw a hard knee to the body. This will often cause your opponent to lower their hands. As they react to the knee, release one side of the clinch and throw a Downward Elbow to the now-exposed head.
Keys to Success
- Lift and Chop: Lift your elbow high before chopping down. This creates the necessary angle and power.
- Use Your Hips: Drop your weight and rotate your hips into the strike for maximum force.
- Aim for the "T-Zone": The forehead and eyebrows are the primary targets for this elbow to cause cuts.
- Be Close: Like all elbows, this is a close-range weapon. You must be inside punching range to land it effectively.
Spearing
The Spinning Back Elbow (Sok Klap)
High-Risk, High-Reward
The Sok Klap
The spinning back elbow is a spectacular and dangerous technique. It uses a full-body rotation to generate incredible power and catch an opponent by surprise. While risky due to the momentary loss of vision, a well-timed Sok Klap can be a fight-ending blow. It's typically used as a counter when an opponent is moving aggressively forward.
Drills for the Spinning Back Elbow
Drill 1: The Footwork
Practice the footwork slowly without a partner. From your stance, take a large step with your lead foot across your body, placing it outside where your opponent's lead foot would be. This step initiates the spin. Practice this until the movement is fluid.
Drill 2: The Pad Drill
Have a pad holder stand in front of you. Perform the footwork from Drill 1. As you spin, look over your rear shoulder to spot the target, and strike the pad with your Spinning Back Elbow. Start slowly and focus on accuracy before adding power.
Keys to Success
- Spot the Target: As you spin, you must look over your shoulder to aim. Don't throw it blind.
- Commit to the Spin: A hesitant spin has no power and leaves you vulnerable. The movement must be fluid 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.
Spinning Back
The Spearing Elbow (Sok Pung)
The Interceptor
The Sok Pung
The spearing elbow is a linear, thrusting strike used to intercept an opponent moving forward or to attack straight down the centerline. Unlike slashing elbows, the Sok Pung is more of a concussive, damaging blow aimed at the chin, throat, or solar plexus. It's an excellent tool for stopping an aggressive opponent in their tracks.
Drills for the Spearing Elbow
Drill 1: The Interceptor
Have your pad holder step forward aggressively while throwing a slow jab. As they step in, you also step forward and meet them with a sharp Rear Spearing Elbow, aiming for the chin. This drill times your attack with their forward momentum.
Drill 2: Long Guard to Spear
Use your lead hand to post on your partner's shoulder or head (long guard). Use this post to pull yourself forward as you throw a powerful Rear Spearing Elbow. The pull adds significant momentum and power to the strike.
Keys to Success
- Drive Forward: The power comes from a linear drive off your rear foot. Step into the elbow.
- Tuck Your Chin: As you drive forward, you are vulnerable. Keep your chin tucked and your other hand high and tight.
- Straight Line Attack: The elbow should travel in a straight line from your guard to the target.
- Timing is Everything: This elbow is most effective when it meets an opponent's forward pressure.
Smashing
Muay Thai Elbows: Drills
The Art of Close-Range Combat
Horizontal Elbow (Sok Tad)
A slashing elbow that travels parallel to the ground, perfect for cutting the side of the head after punches.
Drill: The 2 to Elbow
Throw a Jab-Cross (2). As your cross retracts, take a small step forward with your lead foot and throw a sharp Lead Horizontal Elbow.
Uppercut Elbow (Sok Ngad)
An upward elbow that splits the guard, targeting the chin. Excellent for punishing an opponent who shells up.
Drill: The 3 to Elbow
Throw a Jab-Cross-Lead Hook (3) to make the pad holder cover up. As they do, drive forward with a Rear Uppercut Elbow straight up the middle.
Downward Elbow (Sok Ti)
A chopping elbow at a 45-degree angle, designed to cut the forehead or eyebrow, often thrown over the top of a guard.
Drill: The 4 to Elbow
Throw a full Jab-Cross-Lead Hook-Cross (4). Your final cross should bring you close enough to immediately throw a Lead Downward Elbow over their guard.
Spearing Elbow (Sok Pung)
A forward, thrusting elbow used to intercept an aggressive opponent and attack the chin or solar plexus.
Drill: The 1 to Spear
Throw a hard Jab (1) to make your partner step forward. As they advance, meet their momentum with a sharp Rear Spearing Elbow.
Spinning Back Elbow (Sok Klap)
A high-risk, high-reward attack that uses a full rotation to generate incredible power and surprise.
Drill: The Hook to Spin
Throw a hard Lead Hook (as in the "3" combo). Intentionally "miss" or slide past the pad. Use the rotational momentum to flow directly into a Spinning Back Elbow.
Smashing Downward Elbow (Sok Sab)
A brutal strike from the clinch, using a head pull to amplify the power of a downward chopping elbow.
Drill: The 2 to Clinch and Smash
Throw a Jab-Cross (2) and follow your cross to enter the clinch, securing a double-collar tie. From here, pull your partner's head down and throw a Smashing Downward Elbow.
Keys to Devastating Elbows
- Get Close: Elbows are useless at a distance. You must close the range to be effective.
- Use Your Whole Body: Power comes from the ground up. Pivot your feet and rotate your hips into every elbow strike.
- Be Precise: Aim for vulnerable targets like the chin, temple, eyebrow, and jaw.
- Protect Yourself: Your non-striking hand must be glued to your chin, protecting you from counters.
All Elbow Drills
The Smashing Downward Elbow (Sok Sab)
The Clinch Finisher
The Sok Sab
The Sok Sab is a brutal elbow strike used almost exclusively from the clinch. It involves using one hand to control the opponent's head, pulling it down, while simultaneously smashing your other elbow downwards onto their head or collarbone. It's a powerful, controlling strike that can cause immense damage.
Drills for the Smashing Downward Elbow
Drill 1: Single Side Control
From a 50/50 clinch, use your lead hand to grab the back of your partner's head. Pull their head down and to the side. As you pull, deliver a powerful Rear Smashing Downward Elbow over the top.
Drill 2: Double Clinch to Elbow
Secure a full double-collar tie (Plum). Pull your partner's head down to break their posture. Briefly release one hand, throw a sharp Smashing Downward Elbow, and immediately re-secure your clinch grip.
Keys to Success
- Control the Head: The "pull" is as important as the "smash." A strong grip and pull are necessary to break their posture and create the opening.
- Use Your Hips: Drop your weight into the elbow as you pull their head down.
- Quick Release and Re-Grip: When throwing from a double-collar tie, the strike must be fast so you can re-establish your dominant clinch position.
- Stay Heavy on Your Opponent: Use your body weight in the clinch to tire your opponent out and make them vulnerable to these attacks.