How to ELBOW strike..
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·Nat Hearn
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate
SubFamilyHiji Chudan Mae Ate(Hiji Chudan Mae Ate)
Translation: middle forward elbow strike
Overview
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate (Middle Forward Elbow Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate forward-driving elbow strike to the midsection, driving the point of the elbow into the solar plexus. [1] Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit. [1] The technique emphasises full-body power generation through hip rotation and proper weight transfer. [1]
Middle Forward Elbow Strike
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Kyokushin practitioners train this strike for bare-knuckle effectiveness, making it one of the most practically tested karate techniques. [1]
Lineage
Kyokushin Karate; founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1964). [1]
Competition Record
Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Middle Forward Elbow Strike-specific striking mechanics with full hip rotation
Joints Involved — Shoulder, elbow, wrist (for punches/strikes), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Technique-specific trajectory
Position & Entry
From front stance — Execute Hiji Chudan Mae Ate with full hip rotation
From fighting stance — Deliver Hiji Chudan Mae Ate with body commitment
Variants
From front stance
From fighting stance
As counter-attack
Videos
Kihon Series. Hiji-Ate ~ Elbows. Kyokushin Karate Advanced Training with Shihan Cameron Quinn
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·Cameron Quinn Budo Training
Continuing with the Kihon series, today we are looking at elbow strikes, Hiji-Ate, also called Empi. Most Kyokushin dojo…
5 Common Elbow Strike Mistakes: How to Cut Your Opponent
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·fightTIPS
This tutorial explains 5 common mistakes when throwing the Muay Thai elbow strike, and how to properly cut your opponent…
Mae hiji ate
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·R.R karate
How To Do An Elbow Strike l Basic Kickboxing Techniques
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·FightCamp
EXPLORE & SHOP FIGHTCAMP: https://bit.ly/3hGyE1o Welcome to another tutorial from FightCamp's level two Kickboxing Path…
Form 1 Elbow Striking Form ( Hiji )
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·Funakoshi International
Form 1 Hiji-Ate 肘当て 技·伎 Elbow Striking Form Form 1 demonstrates a series of simple but effective elbow st…
Hiji Ate - Elbow strikes By: Shihan Charmaine
0
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate·Kyokushin Greenpoint Cape Town
Age 12 to Senior
1 / 4
7 videosWhat Instructors Say
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate (middle-level forward elbow strike) is a fundamental elbow technique targeting the torso—chest, ribs, or mid-section—delivered with rotational body mechanics for maximum force. According to Kyokushin Greenpoint Cape Town, the strike originates from the back with both fists stacked, employing full-body rotation to generate power while striking at chest level (chudan). FightCamp describes a similar rear elbow across variant where the striker shifts weight from back leg to front while rotating the torso, emphasizing that the other hand remains up defensively since elbows require close-range positioning. Cameron Quinn Budo Training provides extensive technical detail, stressing that the striking surface is the ulna tip—never the muscular part of the forearm—and that the technique must remain in line with the shuto (knife hand). Quinn emphasizes scapular retraction to extend range and proper weight distribution onto the corresponding leg (right leg for right elbow, left for left). All instructors agree on the importance of body rotation, defensive hand positioning, and treating the elbow as a close-range (head-butt distance) technique. Quinn uniquely details two-person drills for reaction training and notes that elbows remain equally effective in sport and self-defense contexts, though they are less common in regulated sports due to their devastating impact.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Kyokushin Greenpoint Cape Town — Hiji Ate - Elbow strikes By: Shihan Charmaine: Demonstrates the basic structure of the middle-level elbow strike targeting chest and ribcage, emphasizing full-body rotation, stacked fists from the back, and the importance of body mechanics for impact.
- FightCamp — How To Do An Elbow Strike l Basic Kickboxing Techniques: Describes the rear elbow across variant with weight transfer and torso rotation, stresses elevated hand guard during close-range elbow work, and addresses stance considerations for elbow striking.
- Cameron Quinn Budo Training — Kihon Series. Hiji-Ate ~ Elbows. Kyokushin Karate Advanced Training with Shihan Cameron Quinn: Provides advanced technical specifications including striking surface (ulna tip), alignment with the knife hand, scapular retraction mechanics, weight distribution patterns, and extensive drill methodology for reaction time and practical application.
- Nat Hearn — How to ELBOW strike..: Transcript contains no instructional content relevant to technique synthesis.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact
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
✓Practise on makiwara and heavy bag for conditioning (Oyama, 1965)
✓Full hip rotation is essential
✓Kiai (spirit shout) accompanies the strike
Common Mistakes
!Insufficient hip rotation
!Tensing too early
!Poor stance
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Stance → Hip rotation → Hiji Chudan Mae Ate → Recovery
Sources & References
Primary Source
This Is Karate (Oyama, 1965)
1Book[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M
2Citation[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M
Community
Athletics
Strong hands and wrists (conditioned through makiwara training)
Good hip rotation
Solid stance
Notes
Hiji chudan mae ate (middle-level forward elbow strike) drives the elbow straight forward into the solar plexus or ribs — a short-range thrusting elbow. Used in clinch range and self-defense. (Oyama, This Is Karate; Nakayama, Dynamic Karate)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I keep my hands up higher when throwing elbow strikes?
When you elbow, you have to be close to your opponent and target, making you very vulnerable. Keeping your hands up higher than your eyebrow bone provides better protection while in close range.
How do I protect my face while throwing an elbow strike?
When in elbow range, get into the habit of throwing with your palm out on the forehead or palm in—either way protects your face while you throw the elbow.
What's the importance of scapular retraction in elbow techniques?
Scapular retraction is vital because it separates and extends your elbows closer to the target, significantly increasing the reach and power of your strike, according to Shihan Cameron Quinn.
How should my hand be aligned when executing an elbow strike?
The strike must always be in line with your knife hand—keep your little finger up so the technique stays aligned. Avoid turning your hand in a way that pushes the muscle out instead of the bone.
How does the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate work?
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate (Middle Forward Elbow Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate forward-driving elbow strike to the midsection, driving the point of the elbow into the solar plexus. Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit.
Where does the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate come from?
Hiji Chudan Mae Ate is a fundamental technique of Kyokushin Karate as codified by Masutatsu Oyama. Kyokushin's emphasis on full-contact fighting requires every strike to be trained for maximum real-world effectiveness.
Is the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate 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 Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
Danger rating 7/10. Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact
How do I set up the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
The standard setup chain: Stance → Hip rotation → Hiji Chudan Mae Ate → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
Standard counters include: Block and counter / Distance management / Evasion.
What are the variants of the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
Common variants: From front stance; From fighting stance; As counter-attack.
How effective is the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate in competition?
Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments
What are common mistakes when doing the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
Top errors to watch for: Insufficient hip rotation / Tensing too early / Poor stance.
What are other names for the Hiji Chudan Mae Ate?
The Hiji Chudan Mae Ate is also known as Hiji Chudan Mae Ate, Middle Forward Elbow Strike.