Muay Korat Tutorial for Beginners | Episode 3: Elbows
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Sok Tee·Master Grittagone | Muay Thai
Part1: https://youtu.be/sVR4s6_9swI?si=xx9oUedanH6U1o4n Part2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-NZH6xzT8 Part3: https:…
Sok Tee
Genusศอกตี（ソーク・ティー）(Sōku Tī)
TransliterationTranslation: slashing elbow
Overview
Sok Tee is the Thai designation for the slashing elbow, executed as a sharp horizontal or slightly diagonal elbow strike designed to cut the opponent's face. [1] The striker rotates the hips explosively while sweeping the bent arm across the opponent's brow line, using the pointed tip of the elbow as a cutting instrument. [1],[2] Sok Tee is one of the most tactically important elbows in Muay Thai, frequently determining the outcome of close fights at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums through cuts that force stoppages. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Sok Tee is among the most celebrated elbow techniques in Muay Thai history, with legendary fighters such as Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn and Samart Payakaroon employing it to devastating effect in the golden era of Thai boxing during the 1980s. [1] The technique remains a core component of Muay Thai instruction at camps throughout Thailand. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Sok tee (slashing elbow) strikes diagonally across the opponent's face. [1]
Lineage
A traditional Muay Thai elbow. [1]
Competition Record
Used in Muay Thai competition. [1]
Images
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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
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 rear hand
Videos
Basic Attack - Rear-Hand Horizontal Elbow (Sok Tat / Sok Ti) * | Muay Thai Tips | Thai Boxing World
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Sok Tee·EvermoreMuayThai
Some basics to executing the horizontal elbow with your rear arm, and some principles to help you get better at it in yo…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Sok Tee (also transliterated as Sok Ti or Sokti) is a slashing horizontal elbow strike in Muay Thai that combines rotational hip power with a downward-diagonal trajectory. Both EvermoreMuayThai and Master Grittagone emphasize initiating the strike from the rear foot, twisting the hips and shoulders to generate power rather than leading with the upper body. EvermoreMuayThai distinguishes Sok Tee from the straight horizontal elbow (Sok Ta) by its characteristic upside-down Nike swoosh arc—the thumb points downward, the elbow rises slightly, then descends at approximately 25–30 degrees across the opponent's eyebrow or temple. This diagonal angle allows the strike to slip over a conventionally-positioned guard left at cheek height for punching range. EvermoreMuayThai stresses defensive positioning: when in close elbow range, keep both gloves high to protect the eyebrows and temples, as this range favors elbow exchanges. Master Grittagone contextualizes Sok Tee within a combination framework, particularly in the "Softy" combo sequence using the lead hand with downward and upward elbow variations followed by smashing elbows. Both instructors agree that proper hip rotation and foot-floor contact are fundamental to generating adequate power and maintaining balance during the technique.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- EvermoreMuayThai — Basic Attack - Rear-Hand Horizontal Elbow (Sok Tat / Sok Ti) * | Muay Thai Tips | Thai Boxing World: Detailed biomechanical breakdown distinguishing Sok Tee from straight horizontal elbow; explains the upside-down Nike swoosh trajectory (25–30 degree downward angle); emphasizes thumb-down positioning, hip twist initiation, and high-guard defensive posture when in elbow range.
- Master Grittagone | Muay Thai — Muay Korat Tutorial for Beginners | Episode 3: Elbows: Contextualizes Sok Tee within combination sequences (Softy combo); demonstrates lead-hand and rear-hand variations; shows integration with jabs and smashing elbows; emphasizes forward body momentum and striking positioning.
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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
✓Sok tee is the Muay Thai slashing elbow — thrown with a diagonal trajectory to cut the opponent's brow or face
✓Rotate the hip and shoulder explosively while driving the elbow point across the target at a downward or upward angle
✓The sok tee aims to open a cut over the eye, which bleeds into the opponent's vision and can cause a TKO stoppage
✓From the clinch, pull the opponent's head toward you with one hand and drive the sok tee across with the other
✓The elbow point should travel in a short, tight arc — keep the fist close to the shoulder throughout
✓Time the sok tee at the moment the clinch breaks or when the opponent looks up from a knee strike
✓The sok tee is one of the most frequently used elbows in professional Muay Thai
Common Mistakes
!Swinging too wide and losing the tight arc — the sok tee must be compact to be fast and accurate
!Hitting with the forearm flat against the face — no cutting effect without the elbow point
!Not pulling the opponent into the elbow — the collision of forces is what creates enough pressure to cut
!Throwing without hip rotation, using arm strength alone
!Using sok tee at mid-range where you cannot reach the face — close the distance first
!Not covering the chin with the lead shoulder or hand during delivery
!Following the sok tee without a plan — have the next strike ready, because the elbow often stuns but does not finish
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Assume Fighting Stance — begin from a balanced position with guard up
2Generate Power — use hip rotation and weight transfer for maximum force
3Execute Strike — deliver the technique to the target with correct form
4Recover to Guard — return immediately to defensive position
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 Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Vail, 2014)
2BookMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Rennehan, 2002)
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 Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Vail, 2014)
5CitationMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Rennehan, 2002)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct path for a sok tee elbow strike?
Instead of throwing the elbow straight across, draw an upside-down arc with your thumb pointing down at the floor, letting the thumb drop bring your elbow up, then come down at about a 25-30 degree angle across the eyebrow and back.
Why might my sok tee miss if my opponent is at punch range?
If your opponent's gloves are positioned for punch range rather than elbow range, throwing the elbow straight across may land on their glove instead of the target, which is why the angled trajectory helps you get around their guard.
How does the Sok Tee work?
Sok Tee is the Thai designation for the slashing elbow, executed as a sharp horizontal or slightly diagonal elbow strike designed to cut the opponent's face. The striker rotates the hips explosively while sweeping the bent arm across the opponent's brow line, using the pointed tip of the elbow as a cutting instrument.
Where does the Sok Tee come from?
Sok Tee is among the most celebrated elbow techniques in Muay Thai history, with legendary fighters such as Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn and Samart Payakaroon employing it to devastating effect in the golden era of Thai boxing during the 1980s. The technique remains a core component of Muay Thai instruction at camps throughout Thailand.
Is the Sok Tee 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 Tee?
Danger rating 7/10. Very High — slashing elbow; primary laceration-causing strike in Muay Thai
How do I set up the Sok Tee?
The standard setup chain: Assume Fighting Stance → Generate Power → Execute Strike → Recover to Guard.
How do I defend against the Sok Tee?
Standard counters include: Block — absorb the strike with a protective guard position / Evasion — move the target out of the strike's path / Counter-Attack — time an offensive response during the recovery phase of the strike.
What are the variants of the Sok Tee?
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 Sok Tee in competition?
Used in Muay Thai competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Sok Tee?
Top errors to watch for: Swinging too wide and losing the tight arc — the sok tee must be compact to be fast and accurate / Hitting with the forearm flat against the face — no cutting effect without the elbow point / Not pulling the opponent into the elbow — the collision of forces is what creates enough pressure to cut / Throwing without hip rotation, using arm strength alone.
What are other names for the Sok Tee?
The Sok Tee is also known as Sōku Tī, Slashing Elbow, Horizontal Cutting Elbow, Sweeping Elbow.