Reverse Elbow

Family

Translation: reverse elbow

Range & classification

Overview

The Reverse Elbow family covers elbow strikes directed rearward, where the striker drives the elbow backward into an opponent positioned behind or to the side. ^[1] The reverse elbow is a close-quarters defensive technique used when an opponent attacks from behind, secures a rear clinch, or attempts a back take, allowing the striker to deliver a sharp blow to the face, solar plexus, or ribs without needing to turn and face the attacker. ^[1],[2] Biomechanically, the reverse elbow relies on trunk rotation and shoulder retraction to generate force, and while it produces less power than forward-facing elbows, its surprise value and unorthodox angle make it effective. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Back Elbow^[1]Rear Elbow^[2]Ushiro EmpiJP^[3]

Used in

Muay Thai MMA Krav Maga Wing Chun

History & Origin

Reverse elbow techniques appear in multiple martial arts traditions, including Muay Thai, wing chun, and various self-defence systems such as Krav Maga. ^[1] In Southeast Asian fighting arts, the reverse elbow was used as a defensive reaction when grabbed or clinched from behind, a common scenario in battlefield combat. ^[2],[3]

Country of origin· shown in random order

ThailandMuay Thai
BrazilMMA
USAMMA
IsraelKrav Maga
ChinaWing Chun

Effectiveness

The reverse elbow strikes backward at an opponent behind or to the side. ^[1]

Lineage

Reverse elbows appear in Muay Thai and various martial arts. ^[1]

Competition Record

Used in MMA and Muay Thai. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Short-range rotational strike — the elbow point or forearm impacts the target at close distance

Joints Involved — Shoulder (rotation and elevation), elbow (fixed angle creates the striking point), core (torque generation)

Force Vector — Varies by type — horizontal (swing), vertical (rising or downward), diagonal, or spinning

Impact Mechanic — The olecranon (elbow point) is extremely hard bone — concentrates force into a small area, high cutting potential

Position & Entry

From clinch range — In close quarters, rotate the torso and drive the elbow point into the target (head, jaw, or body)

From dirty boxing — During collar-and-bicep clinch, create space and throw a short elbow strike

As counter (opponent ducks) — When the opponent level changes or ducks, bring the elbow down or across

Videos

The Modern Martial Artist

The Elbow Hunter of 100 Stitches Explained - Yodkhunpon Technique Breakdown

Reverse Elbow·The Modern Martial Artist

Few fighters inspired fear in his competitors and elation in the crowd like Yodkhunpon, the Great Elbow Hunter of 100 st…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High7/10

Backward elbow strike; close-range surprise weapon

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

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 2024PDF

Kyokushin — 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 RulesPDF

K-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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The reverse elbow strikes backward, driving the elbow behind you into an opponent who is close or clinching from behind

✓The strike uses a backward thrust of the elbow powered by shoulder extension and hip rotation toward the target

✓It is primarily a clinch and self-defence technique — used when someone is behind you or to the side

✓Drive the elbow back and slightly across the body to target the opponent's solar plexus, ribs, or face

✓The reverse elbow is fast and deceptive because the opponent cannot see the striking arm from their angle

✓In Muay Thai, the reverse elbow can be thrown from the clinch when the opponent is positioned to your side

✓Practise with a partner standing behind you, driving the elbow into their pad-protected midsection

Common Mistakes

!Reaching too far behind and losing the structural integrity of the strike — keep the arm tight to the body

!Not rotating the hip into the strike, using arm-only motion

!Looking away from the target behind you — turn the head to track the opponent

!Over-committing and spinning past the intended target

!Using the reverse elbow when the opponent is directly in front of you — it is a rearward or lateral strike

!Hitting with the tricep area instead of the elbow point

!Not following up after the reverse elbow — it creates space and surprise that must be exploited

Related Techniques

Combination — multi-strike sequence incorporating this technique for higher effectiveness

Counter Techniques

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

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: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)

2BookMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

3SyllabusJapan Karate Association (JKA) — Official Technical Terminology

Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)

4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966)

6CitationMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

Community

Athletics

Requires

close-range proficiency, hip rotation, sharp elbow point

Favours

dense bone structure at the olecranon, strong rotational core

Key muscles

core rotators, deltoids, trapezius, biceps

Sub-techniques

Find by what a technique does — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

Standard Reverse Elbow

SubFamily

The Standard Reverse Elbow subfamily covers the fundamental backward-directed elbow strike, executed by retracting the arm sharply while rotating the torso to drive the elbow point into a target behind the striker. [1] The technique can target the midsection, solar plexus, or face of an opponent positioned at the striker's back, and is commonly used as an escape tool from rear clinch positions. [1,2] Effective execution requires awareness of the opponent's position without visual confirmation, relying on tactile feedback from the clinch or peripheral awareness. [2,3]

1 genera·1 techniquesExplore

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up a reverse elbow effectively in combination with other attacks?

According to The Modern Martial Artist's breakdown of Yodkhunpon technique, the reverse elbow works best when integrated with knees—Yod Kumpan's knees and elbows loaded each other, allowing him to land multiple shots in combination while keeping opponents trapped at close range.

What's the key to closing distance safely before throwing a reverse elbow?

The Modern Martial Artist emphasizes that feints are as important as the actual strikes; Yod Kumpan would consistently feint off-rhythm while chambering his legs as he moved in, allowing him to get inside an opponent's rhythm while breaking his own so they couldn't time a counter.

How do I defend against a reverse elbow or counter it?

Masters defend against their own attacks by parrying or catching to the inside or outside, since opponents facing you have access to the same range and techniques you do.

How does the Reverse Elbow work?

The Reverse Elbow family covers elbow strikes directed rearward, where the striker drives the elbow backward into an opponent positioned behind or to the side. The reverse elbow is a close-quarters defensive technique used when an opponent attacks from behind, secures a rear clinch, or attempts a back take, allowing the striker to deliver a sharp blow to the face, solar plexus, or ribs without needing to turn and face the attacker.

Where does the Reverse Elbow come from?

Reverse elbow techniques appear in multiple martial arts traditions, including Muay Thai, wing chun, and various self-defence systems such as Krav Maga. In Southeast Asian fighting arts, the reverse elbow was used as a defensive reaction when grabbed or clinched from behind, a common scenario in battlefield combat.

Is the Reverse 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 Reverse Elbow?

Danger rating 7/10. Very High — backward elbow strike; close-range surprise weapon

How do I set up the Reverse Elbow?

The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Hip Rotation → Strike with Elbow Point.

How do I defend against the Reverse 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 Reverse Elbow?

Common variants: Horizontal elbow (swinging the elbow horizontally at head level); Uppercut elbow (rising elbow from below targeting the chin); Downward elbow (chopping the elbow straight down (Muay Thai sok tat)); Spinning elbow (full rotation before driving the elbow into the target).

How effective is the Reverse Elbow in competition?

Used in MMA and Muay Thai.

What are common mistakes when doing the Reverse Elbow?

Top errors to watch for: Reaching too far behind and losing the structural integrity of the strike — keep the arm tight to the body / Not rotating the hip into the strike, using arm-only motion / Looking away from the target behind you — turn the head to track the opponent / Over-committing and spinning past the intended target.

What are other names for the Reverse Elbow?

The Reverse Elbow is also known as Ura Hiji-uchi, Back Elbow, Rear Elbow, Ushiro Empi.

rearward close range self-defense counter