Why Don't We See Elbow Blocks?

[SAAMAG]

What the hell, I was taught elbow blocks as one of the first defenses in Muay Thai, right after parries. They were primarily for when you were too rooted to get out of the way and had to absorb it, and it was a hell of a lot better to deflect on the outside of the elbows and forearms than to just eat a hard punch directly on the middle of the forearm. Look in Eric Krauss' book Muay Thai Unleashed if you want to see an example. It's harder to shoulder cover in MT since the stance is so much squarer, you'd be more likely to eat a kick if you tried that than with the elbow blocks.

Granted, a lot of this has to do with the increased distance of MT, and the addition of low line kicks and knees. The idea of destroying the fist with the elbow is imo kind of silly too, it's a cover first and a counter/ damage dealer a distant second. I caught a lot of flak early on for covering up and trying to bruise my way to the clinch instead of using my movement early on.

If I remember correctly, that book taught the standard cover blocks. It had maybe one to two sentences saying you CAN use elbows to block incoming attacks, and that was a general statement saying that it can hurt the attackers fist or shin. It wasn't saying you SHOULD as a primary method of defense. It just mentioned it nonchalantly.

For example if a kick is coming in and your guard is tight, you can point your downward elbow towards the kick, or if while you're bringing up your arm to cover you find that you can drive your elbow into the punch, then you will get an added benefit. That's all.

No one is disputing any of that. It's just being said that it's not high percentage to always try and block by driving elbows into fists. Punches come fast and in flurries, at different elevations, and from different directions. The sport of muay thai uses gloves. Trying to focus on hitting your elbow into a padded glove as opposed to just covering is a situation where the the risks outweigh the benefits. Plain and simple.

Though I do use the elbow often to drive into mid section kicks as that has no risk for the most part.

 

[Randy Chung]

I punched an elbow in practice once... messed up my hand for a couple weeks.

 

[awkwardturtle]

I think there might be some layers of misunderstanding in the thread then. Some people are advocating straight up "elbow destruction" where the tip of the elbow is used, which seems to be the the TS is talking about, and then some people are advocating only for shoulder covers and slips, which just seems silly. Forearm and elbow covers have their place, everybody saying "Just use the body shot" is forgetting that there are counters to every counter.

So basically, I agree with Vankuen. Risks and benefits, with benefits outweighing risks.

 

[Babba]

Having started off training under the Straight Blast Gym, crazy monkey defense was emphasized for standup. As a result without even thinking I block punches with my elbows now. The benefit is that to do so you also end up covering the side of your head with your forearm which also blocks any incoming hooks so there's no need to change hands if your opponent is throwing a combo that ends in a hook.

Plus now that I only do muay thai (stopped BJJ after shoulder surgery) if my sparring partner has small gloves on or bag gloves and they hit my elbow, they get hurt and end up throwing less punches. Works out fine for me.

wtf at hurting sparring partners. are you retarded?..

 

[SunNovaGun]

Well the statement was made that the average scrub boxer could easily beat these guys

17 of these boxers lost to davis, one lost to vitor, 4 lost to pulver, 1 lost to silva

i think its safe to say the previous statement is innacurate.

To my mind a journeyman isn't a scrub. They're gatekeepers with winning records who up and comers have to get through to prove they are at the next level. They can make a living because they're good enough to command a decent payday to show up and keep fighting even if they're not in the elite.

A scrub typically has a losing record, and loses to the journeyman every time.

I see that you're immovable in your opinion and that's fine. I will politely excuse myself from this discussion now as there is no point in debating it further.

 

[Snubnoze707]

I think there might be some layers of misunderstanding in the thread then. Some people are advocating straight up "elbow destruction" where the tip of the elbow is used, which seems to be the the TS is talking about, and then some people are advocating only for shoulder covers and slips, which just seems silly. Forearm and elbow covers have their place, everybody saying "Just use the body shot" is forgetting that there are counters to every counter.

So basically, I agree with Vankuen. Risks and benefits, with benefits outweighing risks.

Exactly. Throwing a Jab leaves your body exposed momentarily. Should we stop throwing those as well because of the threat of strikes to the body?

 

[SideofKO]

I think there might be some layers of misunderstanding in the thread then. Some people are advocating straight up "elbow destruction" where the tip of the elbow is used, which seems to be the the TS is talking about, and then some people are advocating only for shoulder covers and slips, which just seems silly. Forearm and elbow covers have their place, everybody saying "Just use the body shot" is forgetting that there are counters to every counter.

So basically, I agree with Vankuen. Risks and benefits, with benefits outweighing risks.

I've been a big proponent of this especially when head movement is brought up, but the issue isn't that it can merely be countered. Anything can be countered, however there are better ideas about how to do things and this whole hike the elbow up past your eyeballs is just nonsensical when there is a much better way to block shots that doesn't leave your body as exposed.

And what is the risk reward ratio of using the tip of the elbow to try and damage your opponent when he punches? I mean sure you might do a little damage, but it is outweighed by the fact that your body is wide open, you're wasting movement, and you may actually hurt your own elbow in the process. Anyone here been punched or kicked in the elbow? It hurts like hell. No knocking the funny bone for me thank you.

I mean, you could head butt a punch and break someones hand but I don't see people rushing to do that.

 

[SAAMAG]

I mean, you could head butt a punch and break someones hand but I don't see people rushing to do that.

I do taht all the tmie and it's aswesmoe! No negiotive rpeurcusison at all hrere!

 

[ShaolinShaman]

I really hate almost everyone on this messageboard. I read 2 pages of this thread and wanted to barf. If I hear someone go off about how boxing is the only practical stand up style again im building a rocketship to avoid being on the same planet as you fucks.

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

I really hate almost everyone on this messageboard. I read 2 pages of this thread and wanted to barf. If I hear someone go off about how boxing is the only practical stand up style again im building a rocketship to avoid being on the same planet as you fucks.

you just caused 2 more pages of boxing is better responses for this post of yours lol

let us us know how the ship building goes:icon_chee

 

[chino0503]

what is this boxing you speak of? its not like its the most popular and biggest combat sport in the world.... oh wait is it?

guess boxing isnt mythical enough for some people. the fact that boxing exist in every city, every state, and every country in the world must show how inefficient it really is

 

[thirteen]

The Defang family of elbow defenses are meant to break or damage an attackers hands, this is a very good stratagey when talking bare knuckle contact. The use of gloves to protect the hands effectively reduces it nothing more than a less than ideal block.

Thank you for an informative post.

 

[thirteen]

double

 

[xen]

I find it incredibly useful. It is my block of last resort. After mastering it you will find it is instinctive and gives you many more options in respect of blocking multiple strikes, even with a single arm. Plus it is essential for deflecting an elbow strike from your opponent, by wrapping over their strike with an elbow of your own. Many Kung Fu styles will teach you how to use elbows effectively.

 

[SideofKO]

I do taht all the tmie and it's aswesmoe! No negiotive rpeurcusison at all hrere!

I see that you did there. lol

 

[SideofKO]

I really hate almost everyone on this messageboard. I read 2 pages of this thread and wanted to barf. If I hear someone go off about how boxing is the only practical stand up style again im building a rocketship to avoid being on the same planet as you fucks.

No one is going on about how boxing is the only practical standup style. Just that when it comes to hands, it is king. The most well rounded standup style is probably Muay Thai or maybe San Shou. The flashiest kicks I would give to TKD. In fact, no one is even saying this technique wouldn't work, only that it wouldn't be the preferred method. Just like if I were fighting in a Muay Thai match I might limit my slipping a bit (unless I was trying to bait for something) because of the chance you could catch a kick or knee.

 

[CharmingCritic]

Just like if I were fighting in a Muay Thai match I might limit my slipping a bit (unless I was trying to bait for something) because of the chance you could catch a kick or knee.

how is it any different than catching an uppercut or hook?

 

[ironbismark]

how is it any different than catching an uppercut or hook?

because in boxing i can't catch the back of your neck and knee you in the face

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

wouldnt you watch your bobbing and weaving not slipping?

slipping is just a slight quick shift of the head it doesnt really put you at risk of being kneed or kicked

 

[chino0503]

wouldnt you watch your bobbing and weaving not slipping?

slipping is just a slight quick shift of the head it doesnt really put you at risk of being kneed or kicked

tell kj noons his bobbing and weaving didnt work against shoguns current muay thai coach.... andre dida.