回転肘打ち(Kaiten Hiji-uchi)
TraditionalTranslation: spinning elbow
The Spinning Elbow family comprises elbow strikes delivered with a full rotational turn of the body, where the striker pivots 180 to 360 degrees to build centripetal force before impacting the target with the elbow point. [1] Spinning elbows are among the most powerful striking techniques in combat sports, as the full-body rotation adds substantial angular momentum to the already dense impact surface of the elbow. [1],[2] The technique requires precise timing and distance management, because the rotation temporarily turns the striker's back to the opponent, creating vulnerability if the strike misses. [2],[3] Despite this risk, well-executed spinning elbows are extremely difficult to defend against because the rotational path obscures the angle of attack until the moment of impact. [3]
Spinning elbow techniques originated in Muay Thai and Muay Boran, where the spinning back elbow (sok klap) was considered an advanced but devastating weapon. [1] The technique gained international fame in MMA through fighters like Tony Ferguson, Jon Jones, and Anderson Silva, who used spinning elbows to secure highlight-reel finishes. [2],[3] Korean martial arts (taekwondo and hapkido) also include spinning elbow techniques, though they are more commonly associated with the Thai fighting tradition. [3]
The spinning elbow uses full body rotation to generate devastating impact force. [1]
From Muay Thai's sok klap. [1]
Has produced multiple KO finishes in UFC and Muay Thai competition. [1]
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Krorpet from Tiger Muay Thai (red gloves) ended this fight with a beautiful spinning elbow, knocking Pechprasong out col…
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Spinning generates rotational force; devastating KO power
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
close-range proficiency, hip rotation, sharp elbow point
dense bone structure at the olecranon, strong rotational core
core rotators, deltoids, trapezius, biceps
The spinning elbow is considered the most dangerous elbow technique due to the rotational force generated. Widely used in Muay Thai and MMA. (Delp, Muay Thai Unleashed)
The Spinning Elbow family comprises elbow strikes delivered with a full rotational turn of the body, where the striker pivots 180 to 360 degrees to build centripetal force before impacting the target with the elbow point. Spinning elbows are among the most powerful striking techniques in combat sports, as the full-body rotation adds substantial angular momentum to the already dense impact surface of the elbow.
Spinning elbow techniques originated in Muay Thai and Muay Boran, where the spinning back elbow (sok klap) was considered an advanced but devastating weapon. The technique gained international fame in MMA through fighters like Tony Ferguson, Jon Jones, and Anderson Silva, who used spinning elbows to secure highlight-reel finishes.
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)
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — spinning generates rotational force; devastating KO power
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Hip Rotation → Strike with Elbow Point.
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.
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).
Has produced multiple KO finishes in UFC and Muay Thai competition.
Top errors to watch for: Spinning without looking for the target — you will miss and be exposed with your back turned / Spinning too slowly, allowing the opponent to step back or counter during the rotation / Opening the arm angle during the spin and hitting with the forearm / Telegraphing by visibly shifting weight before spinning.
The Spinning Elbow is also known as Kaiten Hiji-uchi, Sok Klap, Back Elbow, Spinning Back Elbow.
