Technique of the Elbow Block, the Parry, and the Weave
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Standard Elbow Block·World Class Boxing Channel·Added by Admin
Technique of the Elbow Block, the Parry, and the Weave. Tom Yankello of the @WorldClassBoxingChannel teaches you how to…
Standard Elbow Block
Genusスタンダード肘受け(Sutandādo Hiji Uke)
HybridTranslation: standard elbow block
Overview
The Standard Elbow Block drops the elbow to meet an incoming body strike or low kick, using the point of the elbow and the forearm to create a hard surface that blocks and punishes the attack. [1] The block is executed by tucking the elbow tight to the body and angling the forearm downward, presenting the hardest part of the elbow directly in the path of the incoming strike. [1],[2] Against kicks, the elbow block can cause significant damage to the attacker's shin, sometimes leading to injury that ends the fight. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The standard elbow block has been used in Muay Thai for centuries as a primary defence against body kicks and punches, valued for both its defensive and destructive properties. [1] Anderson Silva's use of elbow blocks against kicks in the UFC demonstrated the technique's effectiveness in MMA. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The elbow block in Muay Thai serves a dual purpose: it defends against body kicks and punches while potentially damaging the attacker's striking limb on impact with the hard point of the elbow. [1] Fighters who consistently use elbow blocks can deter opponents from attacking the body, as the risk of hand or foot injury against the elbow is significant. [2]
Lineage
The elbow block is a signature Muay Thai defensive technique, integral to the art's emphasis on using the body's hardest points (elbows, knees, shins) for both offence and defence. [1]
Competition Record
The elbow block is a standard defence in boxing and MMA. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intercepting an incoming strike using a rigid arm, forearm, or shin structure to absorb or redirect force
Joints Involved — Forearm and elbow (primary blocking surface), shoulder (positioning), core (absorbing residual force)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the incoming strike — meeting the attack at an angle dissipates force across the blocking surface
Defensive Mechanic — Hard blocks absorb impact directly; soft blocks redirect the strike's trajectory away from the target
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Maintain guard position, raise the forearm or shin to intercept the incoming strike before it reaches the target
As reactive defence — When the attack is detected, move the blocking limb into the strike's path to absorb or deflect the force
Variants
High block — forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead strikes
Low block — forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes
Cross block — forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side
Double forearm block — both forearms together for maximum coverage
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓From your fighting guard, drop the elbow on the targeted side to cover the ribs
✓The elbow presses tight against the ribcage — your forearm covers the liver/floating rib area
✓Tighten your obliques and abs on the blocking side to brace for impact
✓Turn your torso slightly toward the strike — this angles the blocking surface to deflect force
✓Your opposite hand stays at chin level protecting the head
✓After the block, immediately return the elbow to guard position and counter with the opposite hand
✓Drill by having a partner throw light body hooks while you elbow block and counter — develop the timing
Common Mistakes
!Dropping the elbow but leaving a gap between the elbow and the ribs — the elbow must be TIGHT against the body
!Lowering the chin-level hand to help block the body — one hand blocks, one hand guards the head
!Not bracing the core — the abdominal muscles are part of the block structure
!Turning the body too much and exposing the back — a slight turn (15-20°) is sufficient
!Blocking but not countering — the opponent's arm is committed; fire back immediately
!Keeping the elbow dropped after the block — return to guard position instantly
!Using the elbow block against kicks to the thigh — for low kicks, use the shin check
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Read the Attack — recognize the incoming strike trajectory
2Position the Guard — place the blocking limb in the path of the strike
3Absorb Impact — brace for contact and deflect force away from vital targets
4Counter or Reset — immediately follow with a counter-attack or return to stance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] The Muay Thai Clinch (Anderson, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] The Muay Thai Clinch (Anderson, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005)
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm conditioning, reaction speed, structural stability
Favours
dense bone structure, strong forearms
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, deltoids, biceps, core (absorbing impact)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the elbow block compare to just slipping punches?
The elbow block diverts incoming strikes and gives you more time to set up counter techniques, rather than simply slipping the punch and reacting immediately.
What's a good follow-up combination after using an elbow block?
After parrying with the elbow block, you can weave and counter with hooks—typically a right hand hook to the body followed by a hook to the head.
How does the Standard Elbow Block work?
The Standard Elbow Block drops the elbow to meet an incoming body strike or low kick, using the point of the elbow and the forearm to create a hard surface that blocks and punishes the attack. The block is executed by tucking the elbow tight to the body and angling the forearm downward, presenting the hardest part of the elbow directly in the path of the incoming strike.
Where does the Standard Elbow Block come from?
The standard elbow block has been used in Muay Thai for centuries as a primary defence against body kicks and punches, valued for both its defensive and destructive properties. Anderson Silva's use of elbow blocks against kicks in the UFC demonstrated the technique's effectiveness in MMA.
Is the Standard Elbow Block legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Elbow Block?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the Standard Elbow Block?
The standard setup chain: Read the Attack → Position the Guard → Absorb Impact → Counter or Reset.
How do I defend against the Standard Elbow Block?
Standard counters include: Feint — fake an attack to draw out the block then strike the opening / Level Change — switch attack levels to go around the blocking defence / Combination — throw multiple strikes to overwhelm the single defensive response.
What are the variants of the Standard Elbow Block?
Common variants: High block (forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead…); Low block (forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes); Cross block (forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side); Double forearm block (both forearms together for maximum coverage).
How effective is the Standard Elbow Block in competition?
The elbow block is a standard defence in boxing and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Elbow Block?
Top errors to watch for: Dropping the elbow but leaving a gap between the elbow and the ribs — the elbow must be TIGHT against the body / Lowering the chin-level hand to help block the body — one hand blocks, one hand guards the head / Not bracing the core — the abdominal muscles are part of the block structure / Turning the body too much and exposing the back — a slight turn (15-20°) is sufficient.
What are other names for the Standard Elbow Block?
The Standard Elbow Block is also known as Sutandādo Hiji Uke, Basic Elbow Shield, Muay Thai Elbow Block, Pointed Elbow Guard.