1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Begin in your Muay Thai stance. If you’re orthodox, your left foot will be forward, and your right foot will be back. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your weight distributed evenly on the balls of your feet. This ensures balance and readiness for movement.
• Knees and Hips:
  Your knees should be slightly bent, ensuring you’re balanced and mobile. Keep your hips relaxed, with a natural alignment that supports quick motion and power generation.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Your lead hand (left for orthodox) should be near your face, guarding your chin and jaw.
  • Your rear hand (right for orthodox) should be up by your chin, ready to strike with an upward elbow or guard against incoming strikes.
  • Keep your elbows tucked to protect your ribs, and ensure your head is slightly off-center to make it harder for the opponent to land clean strikes.

---

2. Chambering the Right Upward Elbow (Preparation)

• Hand Position:
  Before throwing the upward elbow, bring your right hand to a position near your face. Your elbow should be slightly bent, with the fist near your chin and the elbow pointing downward.
• Elbow Alignment:
  Position the elbow below your fist, ready to launch the strike upward. This positioning ensures that the strike will come in a controlled and sharp motion.
• Hip and Shoulder Rotation:
  To generate power, rotate your hips and shoulders slightly to the left (for orthodox). This rotation engages the core and allows the force of your lower body to assist in the power of the upward elbow.

---

3. Executing the Right Upward Elbow (The Actual Strike)

1. Step 1 – Hip and Shoulder Rotation:
   Begin by rotating your hips and shoulders to the left (for orthodox fighters). This movement drives the elbow upward with more power, transferring the energy from your lower body through your core.
2. Step 2 – Elbow Path and Arm Position:
   Explosively drive your right elbow upward in a tight arc. The elbow should travel in a vertical path toward your opponent’s chin, jaw, or face. Keep your arm close to your body for more control and effective impact.
3. Step 3 – Impact and Target:
   • The sharp point of your elbow should strike the target. The chin or jaw is a typical target for the upward elbow, as it can cause significant damage.
   • Ensure you strike with the hard edge of the elbow, as this part is designed to cause the most damage.
4. Step 4 – Follow Through and Retract:
   After landing the upward elbow, allow it to follow through slightly, but do not over-extend. Quickly retract your elbow back to your face and guard position to stay in a defensive stance and prepare for any counterattacks.

---

4. Footwork During the Right Upward Elbow

1. Weight Transfer:
   As you throw the upward elbow, shift your weight slightly to your lead foot (left) to maintain balance and generate force from your lower body.
2. Pivoting:
   Pivot on the ball of your rear foot (right) as you rotate your hips and shoulders. This allows the energy of the lower body to transfer into the upward elbow.
3. Step Forward (Optional):
   Depending on the distance, you may step forward with your rear foot (right) as you throw the upward elbow. This helps close the gap between you and your opponent while maintaining your balance.

---

5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

1. Rear Hand Guard:
   As you throw the upward elbow, ensure that your rear hand (right) remains near your chin to protect against incoming punches or counters. Never drop your guard while striking.
2. Head Position:
   After delivering the elbow, make sure to move your head slightly to the side or use a slip to avoid being hit by counters. Never stay stationary after an attack—always be ready for the next move.
3. Elbow Position:
   Keep your elbow tight to your body throughout the strike. A flared elbow exposes you to potential counterhooks or uppercuts. A compact, tight elbow ensures the strike is powerful and protected.

---

6. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Return to Guard:
   After delivering the right upward elbow, immediately return your right hand to your face to guard against any counterattacks. A quick recovery is essential to stay safe and ready for the next action.
2. Set-Up for Combinations:
   The right upward elbow can be part of a combination. After executing the elbow, you can follow up with a hook, cross, or a knee strike. You can also use it to set up a clinch or additional strikes.
3. Reset Your Position:
   If you’ve moved forward or backward during the elbow strike, ensure you’re in a balanced stance after the strike. This helps you prepare for either defending or launching further attacks.

---

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcommitting:
   Avoid leaning too much into the upward elbow. A wild, overextended elbow can throw you off balance and leave you vulnerable. The strike should be sharp, direct, and controlled.
2. Dropping the Rear Hand:
   Never drop your rear hand (right) during the elbow. Always keep it up to guard against counters, particularly hooks or straight punches that may follow your strike.
3. Excessive Arm Use:
   The power of the upward elbow comes from your body rotation, not just your arm. Relying too much on arm strength can reduce the effectiveness of the strike. Focus on engaging your core and rotating your hips to maximize the power.
4. Telegraphing the Elbow:
   Avoid making the upward elbow too obvious. If you telegraph your move, your opponent may anticipate it and counter. The motion should be fast, explosive, and unexpected.

---

8. Advanced Concepts

1. Upward Elbow Feint:
   At an advanced level, you can use the upward elbow as a feint. Pretend to throw the upward elbow to bait your opponent into reacting, then quickly follow up with a different strike or combination.
2. Upward Elbow with Angle Change:
   You can throw the upward elbow while simultaneously changing your angle. This technique adds unpredictability to your attack and increases the power behind the strike.
3. Upward Elbow and Clinch:
   After landing the right upward elbow, you can close the distance and immediately enter the clinch. This creates opportunities for knee strikes or controlling your opponent’s posture in the clinch.

---

Conclusion

The right upward elbow is a powerful and devastating strike in Muay Thai. It combines explosive body rotation with precise targeting of the opponent’s chin or jaw. Mastering the mechanics of this strike, from proper stance and footwork to follow-through and defensive positioning, ensures that the upward elbow can be both effective and safe. Use it as part of your striking combinations, and always be prepared to defend or follow up with additional strikes or clinch work.