How to elbow correctly✅
0
Over the Top Elbow·Nat Hearn
Translation: over the top elbow
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Limb angle
Zero180–135°135–90°90–45°45–0°
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
History & Origin
MMA-specific strike developed for cage fighting. [1]
Country of origin· shown in random order
- BrazilMMA
- USAMMA
Effectiveness
Effective in MMA ground-and-pound scenarios. [1]
Lineage
Modern MMA methodology. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Over the Top Elbow-specific striking mechanics
Joints Involved — Technique-specific
Position & Entry
From MMA position — Execute over the top elbow
Variants
Standard Over the Top Elbow
Videos
Muay Thai Tricks - Hard Hitting Elbows with Yoddecha Sityodtong
0
Over the Top Elbow·Stuart Tomlinson
Giving your opponent a different look before setting up your real intent is one strategy that has always been used to gr…
Quick Muay Thai Elbow Tips 🗡
0
Over the Top Elbow·Sean "Muay Thai Guy" Fagan
If you're a beginner in Muay Thai, then these quick elbow tips will help you learn the basics quickly! In this video, w…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The over-the-top elbow is a fundamental striking technique in Muay Thai characterized by a descending or horizontal arc delivered across the opponent's upper body or head. Sean Fagan emphasizes the mechanics of proper hand positioning and body mechanics: the striking arm's palm faces outward, traveling across the eyes in coordination with a small step and core rotation. He stresses hitting with the point of the elbow rather than the blade, as this concentration of force maximizes impact. Fagan also warns against over-rotation, which exposes the back of the head to counterattack—a critical defensive consideration. Stuart Tomlinson's contribution addresses power generation, noting that the technique requires proper 'pop' or explosive extension rather than a loose, uncontrolled movement. The limited material from Nat Hearn's transcript prevents detailed analysis of his specific contributions. These instructors collectively teach that the over-the-top elbow combines precision hand positioning, controlled rotation, weight transfer via stepping, and explosive elbow extension to deliver high-impact force while maintaining defensive posture.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Sean 'Muay Thai Guy' Fagan — Quick Muay Thai Elbow Tips 🗡: Detailed mechanics including palm-out positioning, stepping coordination, core rotation, emphasis on striking with the point, and warning against over-rotation that exposes the back of the head.
- Stuart Tomlinson — Muay Thai Tricks - Hard Hitting Elbows with Yoddecha Sityodtong: Power generation principles emphasizing proper 'pop' and explosive extension as essential to effective technique execution.
- Nat Hearn — How to elbow correctly✅: Limited transcript material prevents detailed attribution.
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
MMA ground strike with significant damage potential
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 with appropriate safety gear (Penn et al., 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Poor base during execution
!Over-committing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Position control → Over the Top Elbow → Follow-up
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge (Penn, Cordoza & Krauss, 2007)
1Book[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
2Citation[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
Community
Athletics
Good balance and base from ground positions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I rotate when throwing an over the top elbow?
You want to rotate through the technique, but be careful not to over-rotate—if you rotate too much, you'll show the back of your head to your opponent, which leaves you vulnerable. Sean Fagan emphasizes finding the right balance in your rotation.
What part of my elbow should I aim to make contact with?
You want to try to hit with the point of the elbow because that's where it's the hardest and will deliver the most impact.
How does the Over the Top Elbow work?
The Over the Top Elbow is a looping elbow strike delivered from guard top or mount, arcing over the opponent's guard and dropping down onto the face.
Where does the Over the Top Elbow come from?
MMA-specific strike developed for cage fighting.
Is the Over the Top 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 Over the Top Elbow?
Danger rating 7/10. MMA ground strike with significant damage potential
How do I set up the Over the Top Elbow?
The standard setup chain: Position control → Over the Top Elbow → Follow-up.
How do I defend against the Over the Top Elbow?
Standard counters include: Guard recovery / Escape / Block.
What are the variants of the Over the Top Elbow?
Common variants: Standard Over the Top Elbow.
How effective is the Over the Top Elbow in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Over the Top Elbow?
Top errors to watch for: Poor base during execution / Over-committing.
What are other names for the Over the Top Elbow?
The Over the Top Elbow is also known as Over the Top Elbow, Dropping Elbow, Top Position Elbow.