Martial Arts - Elbow Strikes

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: The Stance

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and taking a step back with your right foot to a comfortable distance, as if on tram lines. Then turn your feet 30º and bend your knees. Remember to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

REMEMBER! All energy is drawn up from the ground. It must flow through your body and be released through your target via the fist. You can do this with a combination of movements and perhaps more importantly, with your stance.

Step 3: Body Movement

Although you can execute an elbow strike from the basic stance, you may at times need to move forward to close the distance between yourself and your opponent.

From the basic stance, step forward by raising your right leg to your waist-height. Lean forward to increase momentum and then lunge forward as you bring your elbow up and round, fast and powerful, into either your opponent's right or left upper target area.

Step 4: The Strike

Your elbow should make contact with the target a split second before your right foot stamps on the ground. This will increase power by transferring your entire bodyweight through your elbow and into the target.

Remember here that good hip rotation will add power to your strike. If you're performing a right elbow strike, your right hip should rotate forward with the strike.

Keep your upper arm parallel to the floor and lock the shoulder joint down into this position to maximise bodily strength and to avoid the real risk of shoulder dislocation.

Step 5: Breathing

Don't forget that correct breathing and the exhalation of your energy will improve your punching technique. Exhale throughout the entire execution of the strike. This exhalation should be strong and powerful and come from your abdomen. It's called the ”KI-AI”.

Step 6: Review

Remember! The perfect elbow strike is a combination of focusing your energy, good body movement and hip rotation and breath control.