This section provides instructions for a wide variety of martial arts elbow strikes including the spinning back elbow strike, downward elbow strike, etc. Elbow strikes are used by most martial arts styles including Muay Thai, Krav Maga and Karate. If you are looking for information on other hand and arm techniques, please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Punches & Strikes section.
A martial arts elbow strike is a devastating close-in striking technique used by martial artists for self-defense situations, in some sparring matches, for breaking techniques, etc. An elbow strike can be thrown from the side, downward vertically, upward vertically, to the rear, etc.
Martial elbow strikes and all other martial arts techniques should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized. In addition, all martial arts techniques should be used safely and responsibly.
Elbow Strikes – Training Equipment
List of Elbow Strike Variations – Click on the individual technique for video and/or written details
- Diagonal Elbow Strike – This is a diagonal version of the front elbow strike.
- Downward Elbow Strike
- Front Elbow Strike or Forward Elbow Strike, Forward Horizontal Elbow Strike, Round Elbow Strike, etc.
- Front Elbow Thrust or Thrusting Elbow Strike
- Jumping Downward Elbow Strike
- Rear Elbow Strike or Back Elbow Strike, Reverse Elbow Strike, etc.
- Side Elbow Strike
- Spinning Back Elbow Strike or Spinning Rear Elbow Strike, Spinning Elbow, etc.
- Superman Elbow Strike
- Uppercut Elbow Strike
- Other lesser utilized elbow strikes include the Jumping Double Downward Elbow Strike, Double Side Elbow Strike, etc.
Elbow Strike Techniques by Martial Arts Style – Instructions & videos
Martial Arts Elbow Strike – Positives
- An elbow strike is a powerful weapon because the martial artists is hitting an attacker with the long distal bone of the forearm (ulna) and/or the olecranon process (the “tip” of the elbow).
- Martial artists are less likely to break a bone with an elbow strike. In contrast, martial artists are more likely to break the smaller bones in the hand and fingers with a punch.
- Elbow strikes can be used if an attacker is in close trying to grapple and the martial artist does not have room for an effective punch (i.e. both of them are on the ground wrestling for position).
Martial Arts Elbow Strike – Negatives
- Martial artists need to get close to attacker in order to throw an elbow strike. This puts the martial artist in range for the opponent’s attacks or to be grabbed by an attacker.
- The swing of a powerful elbow strike can shift the martial artist out of position. A martial artist is more likely to stay stable and in a protective fighting stance with a straight punch, jab, etc.
Basic Tactics
- Elbow strikes are often used in combination with grabbing an opponent’s head so they can not move out of range.
- Return elbow strikes. For example, martial artists will throw a front elbow strike and if they miss, they will use the same arm to “return” to the opposite side of the target with a rear elbow strike.