Sok Hud

SubFamily

ศอกหัด(Sok Hud)

Translation: Pulling elbow strike

Overview

Sok Hud is the pulling elbow, where the fighter grabs the opponent's head or neck and pulls it down into a rising elbow. [1] The combined force of the pull and the rising elbow creates devastating impact. [1] It is particularly effective in the clinch. [1]

Also known as
Elbow Pull-DownPulling Elbow

History & Origin

Sok Hud is one of the 24 traditional Muay Thai elbow techniques (Cherng Sok 24 Cherng) preserved in the art's classical curriculum. [1] Muay Thai's elbow arsenal is considered the most comprehensive among all striking martial arts. [1]

Effectiveness

The elbow is the hardest and sharpest striking surface on the body; Sok Hud causes severe cuts, swelling, and potential knockouts. [1]

Lineage

Traditional Muay Thai Cherng Sok (24 elbow techniques) curriculum. [1]

Competition Record

Used in UFC and professional MMA competition

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary ActionElbow strike mechanics specific to Sok Hud
Joints InvolvedShoulder (rotation), elbow (flexion to present point), hips (rotation for power)
Force VectorDirection specific to sok hud variant
Leverage PrincipleShort-range weapon using body rotation and weight transfer through the elbow point

Position & Entry

From Muay Thai stanceSok Hud is the pulling elbow, where the fighter grabs the opponent's head or neck and pulls it down into a rising elbow
From clinchClose-range delivery

Variants

Left Sok Hud
Right Sok Hud
Lead hand Sok Hud
Rear hand Sok Hud

Videos

Rambaa Somdet Top Muay Thai Kru Freddy Lepine Training

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Sok Hud·Lepine Freddy

Rambaa Somdet Top Coach Technique de Sok les Coudes Les techniques de coudes :Sok Klap Lang : Coup de coude retournéSok

1 video

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

8
Very High8/10

Elbow strikes cause cuts, fractures, and knockouts at close range

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing {srcWBC Rules of Boxing}
WKF — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF
Kyokushin — Elbow strikes prohibited {srcIKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF
ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF
WAKO — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
K-1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai {srcK-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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

Strike with the sharp point of the elbow bone, not the forearm (Ruerngsa et al.)
Hips, shoulders, and feet must move simultaneously
Always return to guard after the elbow strike

Common Mistakes

!Hitting with the forearm instead of the elbow point
!Dropping the guard on the opposite side
!Not using hip rotation for power

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Close distance → Set up with punch or clinch → Sok Hud → Follow with knee or additional elbow

Sources & References

Primary Source

Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Ruerngsa, Charuad & Cartmell)

1Book[1] Ruerngsa, Y., Charuad, K.K. and Cartmell, J. Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting. [2] De Cesaris, M. (2004). Muay Thai Boran: The Complete Codified Guide. IMBA.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ruerngsa, Y

2Citation[1] Ruerngsa, Y., Charuad, K.K. and Cartmell, J. Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting. [2] De Cesaris, M. (2004). Muay Thai Boran: The Complete Codified Guide. IMBA.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ruerngsa, Y

Community

Athletics

Requires strong shoulder and hip rotation

Good balance at close range

Conditioned elbow for striking

Notes

Sok hud (spinning elbow) uses a full 180-degree spin to generate devastating rotational force. Appears in 90 passages under 'spinning elbow.' One of the most spectacular KO techniques in Muay Thai and MMA. (90 passages; Kraitus, Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting; Delp, Muay Thai Unleashed)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Sok Hud work?

Sok Hud is the pulling elbow, where the fighter grabs the opponent's head or neck and pulls it down into a rising elbow. The combined force of the pull and the rising elbow creates devastating impact.

Where does the Sok Hud come from?

Sok Hud is one of the 24 traditional Muay Thai elbow techniques (Cherng Sok 24 Cherng) preserved in the art's classical curriculum. Muay Thai's elbow arsenal is considered the most comprehensive among all striking martial arts.

Is the Sok Hud 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 Sok Hud?

Danger rating 8/10. Elbow strikes cause cuts, fractures, and knockouts at close range

How do I set up the Sok Hud?

The standard setup chain: Close distance → Set up with punch or clinch → Sok Hud → Follow with knee or additional elbow.

How do I defend against the Sok Hud?

Standard counters include: Step back out of range / Block with the forearms / Counter with a knee strike.

What are the variants of the Sok Hud?

Common variants: Left Sok Hud; Right Sok Hud; Lead hand Sok Hud; Rear hand Sok Hud.

How effective is the Sok Hud in competition?

Used in UFC and professional MMA competition

What are common mistakes when doing the Sok Hud?

Top errors to watch for: Hitting with the forearm instead of the elbow point / Dropping the guard on the opposite side / Not using hip rotation for power.

What are other names for the Sok Hud?

The Sok Hud is also known as Sok Hud, Elbow Pull-Down, Pulling Elbow.