How to use Spinning Elbows in Muay Thai with Damien Trainor
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Sok Klab KooΒ·Stuart Tomlinson
#shorts tutorial on how to use spinning elbows in Muay Thai coached and demonstrated by multiple times world champion Daβ¦
Translation: Double reverse elbow
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Limb angle
Zero180β135Β°135β90Β°90β45Β°45β0Β°
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
History & Origin
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- ThailandMuay Thai, Muay Boran
- BrazilMMA
- USAMMA, Kickboxing
- JapanKickboxing
- MyanmarLethwei
Effectiveness
The elbow is the hardest and sharpest striking surface on the body; Sok Klab Koo 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
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Elbow strike mechanics specific to Sok Klab Koo
Joints Involved β Shoulder (rotation), elbow (flexion to present point), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector β Direction specific to sok klab koo variant
Leverage Principle β Short-range weapon using body rotation and weight transfer through the elbow point
Position & Entry
From Muay Thai stance β Sok Klab Koo combines two reverse elbows in rapid succession, with the body completing a full rotation to deliver the second elbow from the opposite side
From clinch β Close-range delivery
Variants
Left Sok Klab Koo
Right Sok Klab Koo
Lead hand Sok Klab Koo
Rear hand Sok Klab Koo
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
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
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing β All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing {srcβ WBC Rules of Boxing}
β WKF β Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin β Elbow strikes prohibited {srcβ IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
β WT β Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFβ ITF β Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDFβ WAKO β Prohibited in all kickboxing formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY β Prohibited β key difference from Muay Thai {srcβ K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Legal
β Unified MMA β Legal β all elbow strikes permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ art of eight limbs
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
βStrike with the sharp point of the elbow bone, not the forearm (Ruerngsa et al.)
βHips, shoulders, and feet must move simultaneously
βAlways 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 β Set up with punch or clinch β Sok Klab Koo β 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 klab koo (double spinning elbow) delivers two elbows during a single spinning rotation β one forward and one backward. An advanced combination requiring precise timing. (Kraitus, Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important foot positioning detail for Sok Klab Koo?
Stuart Tomlinson emphasizes that your feet must be in line with your opponent's feet, positioning yourself so you can step to that point before executing the technique.
How does the Sok Klab Koo work?
Sok Klab Koo combines two reverse elbows in rapid succession, with the body completing a full rotation to deliver the second elbow from the opposite side. This advanced technique requires precise timing and body control.
Where does the Sok Klab Koo come from?
Sok Klab Koo 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 Klab Koo legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal β Legal β all elbow strikes permitted; WBC/Boxing: banned β All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing; WKF: banned β Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate; Kyokushin: banned β Elbow strikes prohibited; WT: banned β Prohibited; ITF: banned β Prohibited; WAKO: banned β Prohibited in all kickboxing formats; K: banned β 1/GLORY β Prohibited β key difference from Muay Thai; IFMA: legal β Legal β elbows are a core Muay Thai weapon (art of eight limbs)
How dangerous is the Sok Klab Koo?
Danger rating 8/10. Elbow strikes cause cuts, fractures, and knockouts at close range
How do I set up the Sok Klab Koo?
The standard setup chain: Close distance β Set up with punch or clinch β Sok Klab Koo β Follow with knee or additional elbow.
How do I defend against the Sok Klab Koo?
Standard counters include: Step back out of range / Block with the forearms / Counter with a knee strike.
What are the variants of the Sok Klab Koo?
Common variants: Left Sok Klab Koo; Right Sok Klab Koo; Lead hand Sok Klab Koo; Rear hand Sok Klab Koo.
How effective is the Sok Klab Koo in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Sok Klab Koo?
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 Klab Koo?
The Sok Klab Koo is also known as Sok Klab Koo, Double Spinning Elbow, Twin Reverse Elbow.