| Though maybe not the quickest strike, the elbow | | | | The horizontal style can be an attack to the body |
| strike is an extremely powerful and resourceful | | | | (ribs, chest or solar plexus is desirable), the neck, |
| technique. It is in almost every striking martial art, | | | | or the temple/head. Try grabbing the head with |
| including kung fu, karate, muay thai, and other | | | | the opposite hand, pulling it towards your strike |
| martial arts used in MMA. The elbow strike can be | | | | and sandwiching it in. |
| used as a strike, but by slightly changing its angle | | | | The second kind is best served to the area under |
| it can become a block at the same time. Every | | | | the jaw. If practiced often enough to gain |
| martial artist should have this technique in their | | | | considerable power, you can knock an opponent |
| arsenal. | | | | out. |
| Correct Execution and Technique | | | | The third type of elbow is best used to strike the |
| There are a few different kinds of elbow strikes. | | | | solar plexus, ribs, neck and face. Because it is a |
| For the first one, the horizontal elbow strike, lift | | | | thrust and is executed to the side, you have to |
| your elbow to the side, equal with you shoulder. | | | | position yourself in the correct angle, as well as be |
| Keep your arm drawn in towards your chest, the | | | | close enough. Whereas, with the horizontal version |
| hook of it facing the target. Now turn your body | | | | which is also short range, can still be executed by |
| towards the target, rotating the elbow with it. | | | | grabbing the opponent and bringing him to you. |
| Strike the elbow into its target. | | | | Another tip on using the elbow is being |
| The second kind of strike is a upwards strike. Just | | | | resourceful enough to double them as blocks. If |
| snap the elbow straight upwards from your | | | | you make a horizontal elbow strike, but the |
| guard, arm tucked in again like the first version. | | | | opponent attacks after you do, you can raise |
| The third version is a thrust. Instead of rotating it | | | | your elbow to deflect it. Also, draw power into |
| into the target, hitting with the outside of it, | | | | your strikes by shooting the energy up from the |
| thrust the elbow out to the side, where your | | | | floor through your legs into your hips, which flick |
| shoulder points. The impact is more on the back | | | | forward and propel the strike much like a punch. |
| of the elbow. | | | | You won't be sorry if you add this technique to |
| Tips and Usage | | | | your arsenal! |
| The use of this technique is surprisingly versatile. | | | | |