Sok Sab

SubFamily

ศอกสับ(Sok Sab)

Translation: Downward chopping elbow

Overview

Sok Sab is the downward elbow strike, driving the point of the elbow from high to low onto the opponent's forehead, bridge of the nose, or crown of the head. [1] The raised elbow-joint drops with body weight behind it, making this one of the most devastating strikes when the opponent is bent forward. [1]

Also known as
Invert ElbowDownward Elbow Strike

History & Origin

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

Position & Entry

From Muay Thai stanceSok Sab is the downward elbow strike, driving the point of the elbow from high to low onto the opponent's forehead, bridge of the nose, or crown of the head
From clinchClose-range delivery

Variants

Left Sok Sab
Right Sok Sab
Lead hand Sok Sab
Rear hand Sok Sab

Videos

MR.FREE CD & Knife Tru Arm MAGIC on TV 5 (SOK SAB BAY)

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Sok Sab·CHAN PANHA (MRFREE)

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 Sab → 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 sab (chopping elbow) drops the elbow diagonally downward like an axe — targeting the collarbone, shoulder, or crown of the head. (Kraitus, Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Sok Sab work?

Sok Sab is the downward elbow strike, driving the point of the elbow from high to low onto the opponent's forehead, bridge of the nose, or crown of the head. The raised elbow-joint drops with body weight behind it, making this one of the most devastating strikes when the opponent is bent forward.

Where does the Sok Sab come from?

Sok Sab 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 Sab 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 Sab?

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

How do I set up the Sok Sab?

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

How do I defend against the Sok Sab?

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

What are the variants of the Sok Sab?

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

How effective is the Sok Sab in competition?

Used in UFC and professional MMA competition

What are common mistakes when doing the Sok Sab?

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 Sab?

The Sok Sab is also known as Sok Sab, Invert Elbow, Downward Elbow Strike.