Front Elbow Strikes

Elbow strikes are one of the most powerful and devastating weapons in combat sports, primarily due to the sharp, hard, and dense nature of the elbow bone. They are short range weapons, used in close/clinch range. They can be an effective tool to split an opponents guard. From long range, longer strikes must be used to close the distance and effectively setup the use of elbows.  

There are essentially two categories of elbows: Front and Back. This section covers the front elbow. 

Front Elbow Strikes include elbows that use the front of the elbow (the area of the elbow closer to the forearm). It is far more commonly used than back elbows. 

1) Diagonally Down - Elbow starts above the shoulder line and slashes in a downward angle. Video

2) Diagonally Up - Elbow thrown in an upward angle. Video

3) Horizontal -  Elbow thrown horizontally. Video

4) Vertical Up -  Elbow thrown vertically up. Video  Can also be thrown with more of a forward motion as a spear elbow Video

5. Side Elbow - Striking with the inside of your elbow. Used when very close to your opponent. This technically would be a third elbow category but I just threw it in with the front elbow.  Video