The Lost Art & Use Of Elbow Strikes

This month we’ve (Ivey League Staff) been talking a lot about elbow attacks. That’s because for our level 1 Kickboxing students to make it to level 2, they’ll need to know and understand a variety of elbow strikes.

That got me thinking…

Elbows aren’t used that much in MMA are they? Not only are they not used that much but at the same time hardly taught in most mix martial arts schools.

Elbows are some of the best strikes you can use. That applies to Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA or a street fight. Elbows can cause some damage and help you win the battle.

What makes elbows so dangerous is that when they land they tend to cut the skin. They’re known more for cutting people then knock outs.

We teach a lot of elbow attacks due in large part to my own time working on them. That and having great success with the elbows.

I know they work, so because of that it’s in the Ivey League curriculum for the month of August.

The style best known for elbows is far and away Muay Thai Kickboxing. The Thai’s have truly made elbowing into an art form.

The only problem when it comes to training elbows is the inherent danger they present. So it’s important that safety be the top priority.

What are the best attacks to use? Jeez you can set and land elbows from a number of different positions. Below are some I like a lot:

–Jab – Elbow
–Avoid Teep by moving backwards – follow with rear horizontal elbow
–Counter the clinch using the lead vertical elbow attack (Awesome technique)

I could go on and on so instead of reading all my chit chat why not check out the videos below. Chances are you’ll learn a heck of a lot.

Featured are some of the best fighters in the land when it comes to elbows, including Jon “Bones” Jones, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Study up!