Why Don't We See Elbow Blocks?

[CharmingCritic]

How come people never block punches with their elbow? If you're confused about what I mean, I've seen it in some of the 52 blocks stuff. I think it was also in Anderson Silva's instructional. Its where basically the point of the elbow comes in front of your face to block the punch instead of your forearms.

I can see how it would leave you vulnerable to body punching, but with guys only fighting 3 rounds in MMA, I don't think its as big a factor as it is in boxing. Frankly, if a guy is blocking my shots with his forearms, I have no reservations about continuing to punch him. If I see him blocking with the point of the elbow though, I'm tentative about punching him in the face with full power for fear of breaking my hand. Seems especially useful in the street. Just wanted to see what you guys think.

 

[dtravis92]

It doesn't seem very practical to me, would definitely mess someones hand up though. I would think that most people could punch way faster than you could bring your elbow across to block, and if you are leaving it out there then they will just strike at the other openings you have.

 

[CharmingCritic]

Its not any slower than blocking with your forearms imo

 

[CharmingCritic]

it probably limits your counter punching more than a regular forearm block does though.

 

[BeastoftheEast]

Some MMA fighters do use it. It's just not that noticeable. I myself use it, but sparingly. Its alot harder to block with just the point of the elbow rather than the whole forearm, but if you can time it right you can really mess someone up.

 

[thirteen]

Don't quote me on this but -
I think there's a technique know as 'de-fanning the tiger'
I read about years ago. I think it was a Philippines martial art technique
(don't know which one).

From what I remember they made a good case for its effectiveness
ie it was fast to deploy and hurt the other guy.

oh, and I think the elbow was brought 'up' and outwards not across and outward.

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

Don't quote me on this but -
I think there's a technique know as 'de-fanning the tiger'
I read about years ago. I think it was a Philippines martial art technique
(don't know which one).

From what I remember they made a good case for its effectiveness
ie it was fast to deploy and hurt the other guy.

oh, and I think the elbow was brought 'up' and outwards not across and outward.

they have that in kung fu styles as well i believe they call it "dragon horns"

 

[nobleblack626]

I tried it and it just leaves you awkward vulnerable. But yeah it would jack someones hands up but there's other techniques that would do it to. In muay thai I was practicing with some dude who was from the kenpo school next to us he decided to get crazy with some pretty sloppy hand techniques and punches. I jacked his hand up by catching his fist between my elbow and knee.


I guess it depends on if you keep practicing it. But I wouldn't do it because it kind obstructs things. I don't do some elbows cause I know if someone did it to me I would side step and it would be over.

 

[thirteen]

they have that in kung fu styles as well i believe they call it "dragon horns"

I wouldn't be surprised if the technique originated in some ancient form of kung
fu and traveled with the Chinese throughout Asia.

 

[outerspacegrass]

I think it's not a good idea, since their punch can land just under your elbow on the ulnar nerve, and you won't be able to use that arm effectively for a short bit of time.

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

If they are throwing strait punches and you you shield up with your elbows pointing outwards theres a good chance their fist will land on the elbow and damage their hand if not break it.



there are also lower body elbow blocks in karate and im sure other arts to deal with body shots so you can just use those in conjunction with the higher blocks to protect both areas

 

[SAAMAG]

This is all theory guys. You want to see why its not there that much? Try it in your sparring.

IMO and experience it's a low percentage move mainly because of what was already said about it being harder to implement over a standard forearm block (as it takes more coordination to meet a punch with your elbow point than covering with your whole arm). Other factors lie in the fact that with sport fighting you have gloves on...and as such the whole idea of it "destroying" the attacker's knuckles is out the door in which case you may as well just forearm block or better yet move. Lastly, it does indeed slow down your counter punching ability.

The best teacher is experience.

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

I wouldn't say its theory the block people are speaking of pictured below in the links is a common one

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h164/ayuthuya/07-12-2006/DSCF2776.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/elbow block muay thai/ayuthuya/07-12-2006/DSCF2775.jpg
http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2009/0322/mma_f_lashley_576.jpg

If the attackers punch doesnt hit the elbow it will hit the forearm or side of the arm so it works either way

and one can counter punch of of it like say throwing a hook with the other hand while the other shields like this

http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/gsp10_666x450_844021a_0.jpg

 

[Khun Kao Gym]

it probably limits your counter punching more than a regular forearm block does though.

^this.

I use and teach elbow blocks, but the truth is we don't use them too often because to block effectively with your elbow, you have to tuck the rest of your arm back, which means it is not out of position to counterstrike or clinch. We use them, but sparingly.

I've noticed the same thing when watching MT matches from Thailand. Elbow blocks are used, just not with great frequency.

 

[SAAMAG]

I wouldn't say its theory the block people are speaking of pictured below in the links is a common one

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h164/ayuthuya/07-12-2006/DSCF2776.jpg
Elbow block muay thai image by ayuthuya on Photobucket
http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2009/0322/mma_f_lashley_576.jpg

If the attackers punch doesnt hit the elbow it will hit the forearm or side of the arm so it works either way

and one can counter punch of of it like say throwing a hook with the other hand while the other shields like this

http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/gsp10_666x450_844021a_0.jpg

When I say theory, I'm saying talking about it on a forum is theory. To have the question truly answered, you need to go out and do it.

But like I said, its low percentage and not used often for a number of reasons. There are just better ways to go about things.

 

[chino0503]

holy shit.. stand up forum is full of TMartist.....

ok time to give you the first practical and useful tip.

when someone tries to throw uppercuts or hooks to your body... you shove your elbow in their fist. you're still gonna defend your face and you wont leave your body open in case you do miss. its a real subtle movment.

dont try no fucking "skull bones" or "dragon horns" ahahhahahah. whats next? the fucken tiger pinky toe scratch? i seen the skull bones in 52 blocks. it leave your body wide open... and when have you seen someone block a punch like that? lets be for reals. dont say no silly shit like "its to dangerous to be use in the sport of mma" ahahah

 

[chino0503]

I wouldn't say its theory the block people are speaking of pictured below in the links is a common one

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h164/ayuthuya/07-12-2006/DSCF2776.jpg
Elbow block muay thai image by ayuthuya on Photobucket
http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2009/0322/mma_f_lashley_576.jpg

If the attackers punch doesnt hit the elbow it will hit the forearm or side of the arm so it works either way

and one can counter punch of of it like say throwing a hook with the other hand while the other shields like this

http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/gsp10_666x450_844021a_0.jpg

you see that huuuuuuuge gap between the arm pits and hip bone... yeah you dont wanna get hit there. its not nice.

 

[chino0503]

tons of differnt more effective ways to defend yourself besides exposing your body.

 

[SideofKO]

tons of differnt more effective ways to defend yourself besides exposing your body.

Thank you. Jesus people, get hit once in your liver with MMA gloves on and tell me you want to hike your elbow way up to your dome like that. People think that boxers fight with pillows but it isn't true, shots get through just ask Jermain Taylor after he had his last fight with Arthur Abraham. People neglect to use their shoulders to protect their chin and their gloves or forearms to protect the temple and chin. The shoulders should be a last line of defense for the punch to get through your defenses if you rely on blocking (which should be used sparingly anyway).

Boxing has had years to perfect itself, why not just go with time tested, battle proven techniques? Hell, even if you argued that MMA has smaller gloves you could still find solace in the fact that boxing used to be a bare knuckle sport way back yonder.

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

you see that huuuuuuuge gap between the arm pits and hip bone... yeah you dont wanna get hit there. its not nice.

Again i know its hard for some of you to follow along but that block is used constantly used in mma matches and i dont see people getting their livers beaten to a pulp as a result of doing it. Of course the the realization that many are soley head hunters helps but still the fact remains it is used more than any other block.The punch just often lands on the forearm or side of the arm instead of the elbow.