Tennis Elbow Smashing Therapy Part 1
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Smashing Elbow·Clint Darden
A short clip for a friend about what I'm doing to assist my recovery from Tennis Elbow.
Smashing Elbow
SubFamilyソーク・プン(Sōku Pun)
TransliterationTranslation: smashing elbow (Sok Pung)
Overview
The Smashing Elbow subfamily encompasses powerful downward elbow strikes characterised by maximal force generation, where the striker drops their full bodyweight behind the elbow to deliver a heavy, concussive blow. [1] The smashing elbow differs from the chopping elbow in its emphasis on blunt-force impact rather than cutting action, targeting the top of the skull, the back of the neck, or the shoulders with a hammering motion. [1],[2] Effective execution typically involves a slight jump or rise onto the toes before dropping the elbow, adding gravitational acceleration to the hip-driven torque. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Smashing elbow techniques are found in Muay Boran, where battlefield conditions favoured heavy, fight-ending strikes that could incapacitate an armoured or unarmoured opponent at close range. [1] Modern Muay Thai preserved these techniques in the competitive context, with the smashing elbow used opportunistically against bent-over or stunned opponents. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The smashing elbow strikes with maximum downward force. [1]
Lineage
From Muay Thai's sok pung. [1]
Competition Record
Used in Muay Thai and MMA. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Short-range rotational strike — the elbow point or forearm impacts the target at close distance
Joints Involved — Shoulder (rotation and elevation), elbow (fixed angle creates the striking point), core (torque generation)
Force Vector — Varies by type — horizontal (swing), vertical (rising or downward), diagonal, or spinning
Impact Mechanic — The olecranon (elbow point) is extremely hard bone — concentrates force into a small area, high cutting potential
Position & Entry
From clinch range — In close quarters, rotate the torso and drive the elbow point into the target (head, jaw, or body)
From dirty boxing — During collar-and-bicep clinch, create space and throw a short elbow strike
As counter (opponent ducks) — When the opponent level changes or ducks, bring the elbow down or across
Variants
Horizontal elbow — swinging the elbow horizontally at head level
Uppercut elbow — rising elbow from below targeting the chin
Downward elbow — chopping the elbow straight down (Muay Thai sok tat)
Spinning elbow — full rotation before driving the elbow into the target
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
12-6 elbow; extremely dangerous downward strike
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Elbow strikes prohibited {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF— WAKO — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— art of eight limbs
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The smashing elbow drives straight down using the full weight of the shoulder and torso
✓Raise the elbow directly above the target and smash it down vertically
✓This is the highest-force downward elbow because it travels the most vertical distance
✓Use it when the opponent is bent double from a body shot or a clinch knee
✓The smashing elbow targets the back of the neck, the spine between the shoulder blades, or the top of the skull
✓In Muay Thai, the smashing elbow (sok pung) is a fight-ending technique used in the clinch
✓Drive the elbow down with the lats and shoulder while pulling the opponent into the strike with the other hand
Common Mistakes
!Not raising the elbow high enough — the smashing elbow needs maximum vertical distance for maximum force
!Missing the target and smashing your own thigh or the opponent's back — control and accuracy are essential
!Over-committing and falling forward over the opponent after the strike
!Not controlling the opponent's posture — they must be bent forward for the vertical drop to land
!Using the forearm flat instead of the elbow point — the point concentrates force for cuts and concussive impact
!Attempting the smashing elbow standing upright when the opponent is also upright — wrong range and angle
!Neglecting the non-striking hand — it should be controlling the opponent's head or body
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — enter elbow range through clinch work or after slipping a punch
2Hip Rotation — generate power through the core by rotating the hips
3Strike with Elbow Point — drive the elbow through the target at the correct angle
Sources & References
Primary Source
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [3] WBC Muay Thai Rules (2014)
2BookMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [3] WBC Muay Thai Rules (2014)
5CitationMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Community
Athletics
Requires
close-range proficiency, hip rotation, sharp elbow point
Favours
dense bone structure at the olecranon, strong rotational core
Key muscles
core rotators, deltoids, trapezius, biceps
Frequently Asked Questions
How does tricep strength relate to the smashing elbow technique?
Clint Darden emphasizes that tricep strength is where your torque comes from in techniques like the bench press and punching—if you want more power, focus on developing your triceps rather than just chest and shoulders.
What body areas can you use smashing techniques on?
According to Clint Darden, you can apply smashing (rolling) techniques on your training partner's neck, traps, low back, hamstrings, and inside of the calves—as long as you're flexible enough to reach the area.
How does the Smashing Elbow work?
The Smashing Elbow subfamily encompasses powerful downward elbow strikes characterised by maximal force generation, where the striker drops their full bodyweight behind the elbow to deliver a heavy, concussive blow. The smashing elbow differs from the chopping elbow in its emphasis on blunt-force impact rather than cutting action, targeting the top of the skull, the back of the neck, or the shoulders with a hammering motion.
Where does the Smashing Elbow come from?
Smashing elbow techniques are found in Muay Boran, where battlefield conditions favoured heavy, fight-ending strikes that could incapacitate an armoured or unarmoured opponent at close range. Modern Muay Thai preserved these techniques in the competitive context, with the smashing elbow used opportunistically against bent-over or stunned opponents.
Is the Smashing Elbow legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted; WBC/Boxing: banned — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing; WKF: banned — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate; Kyokushin: banned — Elbow strikes prohibited; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: banned — Prohibited; WAKO: banned — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats; K: banned — 1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai; IFMA: legal — Legal — elbows are a core Muay Thai weapon (art of eight limbs)
How dangerous is the Smashing Elbow?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — 12-6 elbow; extremely dangerous downward strike
How do I set up the Smashing Elbow?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Hip Rotation → Strike with Elbow Point.
How do I defend against the Smashing Elbow?
Standard counters include: Lean Back — pull the head out of elbow range to avoid the short-range strike / Clinch Tie-Up — close to body-to-body range to smother elbow strikes / Push Kick (Teep) — maintain distance to prevent elbow range from being established.
What are the variants of the Smashing Elbow?
Common variants: Horizontal elbow (swinging the elbow horizontally at head level); Uppercut elbow (rising elbow from below targeting the chin); Downward elbow (chopping the elbow straight down (Muay Thai sok tat)); Spinning elbow (full rotation before driving the elbow into the target).
How effective is the Smashing Elbow in competition?
Used in Muay Thai and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Smashing Elbow?
Top errors to watch for: Not raising the elbow high enough — the smashing elbow needs maximum vertical distance for maximum force / Missing the target and smashing your own thigh or the opponent's back — control and accuracy are essential / Over-committing and falling forward over the opponent after the strike / Not controlling the opponent's posture — they must be bent forward for the vertical drop to land.
What are other names for the Smashing Elbow?
The Smashing Elbow is also known as Sōku Pun, Sok Pung, Dropping Elbow, Hammering Elbow.