10 Elbow Strikes
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Slashing Elbow·Straight Circle Martial Arts
10 variations of elbows you may not know.
Slashing Elbow
SubFamilyソーク・ティー(Sōku Tī)
TransliterationTranslation: slashing elbow (Sok Tee)
Overview
The Slashing Elbow subfamily covers horizontal elbows executed with an emphasis on a cutting or raking action, where the point of the elbow slices across the opponent's skin rather than delivering blunt concussive force. [1] The slashing motion involves a slight upward or downward angle within the generally horizontal plane, allowing the sharp tip of the olecranon to open cuts on the forehead, brow ridge, or cheekbone. [1],[2] In Muay Thai, the slashing elbow is used strategically to produce bleeding that impairs the opponent's vision or leads to a stoppage by the ringside physician. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The slashing elbow developed within Muay Thai as fighters discovered that a raking horizontal trajectory produced lacerations more reliably than a blunt-force strike. [1] This approach became a strategic tool in Thai stadium fights, where cuts could lead to point deductions for the bleeding fighter or stoppages that favoured the cutter. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The slashing elbow cuts diagonally across the opponent's face. [1]
Lineage
From Muay Thai's sok tee. [1]
Competition Record
Used in Muay Thai and MMA. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist
Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type
Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity
Position & Entry
From orthodox stance (after jab) — Rotate the rear hip forward, extend the rear hand straight to the target, pivot the rear foot
As counter (pull counter) — Lean back to avoid the incoming jab, fire the cross as the opponent's jab retracts
From clinch break — Push off from the clinch, create space, and fire the straight right as the opponent resets
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Slashing elbow; primary laceration-causing strike in Muay Thai
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
✓The slashing elbow travels at a diagonal upward or downward angle, cutting across the opponent's face
✓It combines the horizontal rotation of the standard elbow with a vertical component for an angled slash
✓The slashing trajectory is designed to cross the eyebrow ridge diagonally, maximising laceration length
✓Use the slashing elbow when the opponent's head is slightly above or below your elbow height — the diagonal adjusts to the height difference
✓Drive with hip rotation and add an upward or downward tilt of the shoulder
✓The slashing elbow is particularly effective off a collar tie: pull the opponent's head to one side and slash across with the other arm
✓In Muay Thai, the slashing elbow (sok tee) is one of the primary fight-stopping techniques
Common Mistakes
!Slashing too vertically, turning it into a downward elbow, or too horizontally, making it a standard horizontal elbow
!Not committing to the hip rotation — the slash needs the full body behind it
!Using the mid-forearm for the slash instead of the last two inches of the elbow
!Slashing from too far away where the opponent is out of range
!Not pulling the opponent into the slash with the non-striking hand
!Over-rotating and losing balance after the slash
!Telegraphing by winding up the slashing arm before throwing — it should fire from the guard
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — enter elbow range through clinch work or after slipping a punch
2Hip Rotation — generate power through the core by rotating the hips
3Strike with Elbow Point — drive the elbow through the target at the correct angle
Sources & References
Primary Source
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [3] WBC Muay Thai Rules (2014)
2BookMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [3] WBC Muay Thai Rules (2014)
5CitationMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip rotation power, rear foot pivot, full kinetic chain coordination
Favours
reach advantage, strong hips for power transfer
Key muscles
glutes, obliques, pectorals, triceps, deltoids
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep missing when I throw a slashing elbow?
The circular nature of the slashing elbow means it tends to come back to you by default, so if you're slightly off or your opponent moves, you'll miss. According to Straight Circle Martial Arts, you must stay very close to where you can contract the strike rather than throwing from too far away.
What should I think about when throwing an expansion elbow?
Straight Circle Martial Arts emphasizes that you want to expand completely through your opponent by opening up your body and arm, which works well even when your opponent is slightly close or starts to lean into you.
How do I generate more power in my downward elbow strike?
Rather than coming straight down stiffly, drop your hip all the way through the strike as you come through your opponent. According to Straight Circle Martial Arts, this hip drop gives you significantly more power than striking without it.
What's the key to making a side elbow more effective?
Straight Circle Martial Arts recommends positioning yourself behind your opponent and getting behind his foot before striking. This positioning ensures he doesn't just get hit—he'll fall as you make contact.
How does the Slashing Elbow work?
The Slashing Elbow subfamily covers horizontal elbows executed with an emphasis on a cutting or raking action, where the point of the elbow slices across the opponent's skin rather than delivering blunt concussive force. The slashing motion involves a slight upward or downward angle within the generally horizontal plane, allowing the sharp tip of the olecranon to open cuts on the forehead, brow ridge, or cheekbone.
Where does the Slashing Elbow come from?
The slashing elbow developed within Muay Thai as fighters discovered that a raking horizontal trajectory produced lacerations more reliably than a blunt-force strike. This approach became a strategic tool in Thai stadium fights, where cuts could lead to point deductions for the bleeding fighter or stoppages that favoured the cutter.
Is the Slashing 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 Slashing Elbow?
Danger rating 7/10. Very High — slashing elbow; primary laceration-causing strike in Muay Thai
How do I set up the Slashing Elbow?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Hip Rotation → Strike with Elbow Point.
How do I defend against the Slashing Elbow?
Standard counters include: Lean Back — pull the head out of elbow range to avoid the short-range strike / Clinch Tie-Up — close to body-to-body range to smother elbow strikes / Push Kick (Teep) — maintain distance to prevent elbow range from being established.
What are the variants of the Slashing Elbow?
Common variants: Standard cross (rear-hand straight punch with full hip rotation); Counter cross (pull counter) (leaning back to avoid the jab, firing the cross as a counter); Step-in cross (stepping forward with the punch for added reach and power); Body cross (targeting the solar plexus or liver with the straight rea…).
How effective is the Slashing Elbow in competition?
Used in Muay Thai and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Slashing Elbow?
Top errors to watch for: Slashing too vertically, turning it into a downward elbow, or too horizontally, making it a standard horizontal elbow / Not committing to the hip rotation — the slash needs the full body behind it / Using the mid-forearm for the slash instead of the last two inches of the elbow / Slashing from too far away where the opponent is out of range.
What are other names for the Slashing Elbow?
The Slashing Elbow is also known as Sōku Tī, Sok Tee, Cutting Elbow, Raking Elbow.