MR.FREE CD & Knife Tru Arm MAGIC on TV 5 (SOK SAB BAY)
0
Sok SabΒ·CHAN PANHA (MRFREE)
Translation: Downward chopping elbow
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Limb angle
Zero180β135Β°135β90Β°90β45Β°45β0Β°
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
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]
Invert ElbowDownward Elbow Strike
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 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
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Elbow strike mechanics specific to Sok Sab
Joints Involved β Shoulder (rotation), elbow (flexion to present point), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector β Direction specific to sok sab 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 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 clinch β Close-range delivery
Variants
Left Sok Sab
Right Sok Sab
Lead hand Sok Sab
Rear hand Sok Sab
Videos
1 video
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
8
Very High8/10
Elbow strikes cause cuts, fractures, and knockouts at close range
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 Sab 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 sab (chopping elbow) drops the elbow diagonally downward like an axe β 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 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 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 β Set up with punch or clinch β Sok Sab β 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.