1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Begin in your Muay Thai stance. For orthodox fighters, the left foot is forward; for southpaw, the right foot is forward. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet to maintain mobility.
• Knees and Hips:
  Keep your knees slightly bent to stay agile and ready to generate power. Your hips should be relaxed and aligned with your center of gravity to allow fluid movement.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Your lead hand (left hand for orthodox fighters) is high, near your chin, ready to strike or block.
  • Your rear hand (right hand for orthodox) stays high, protecting your jaw and temple.
  • Tuck your elbows in close to your body to shield your ribs.
  • Keep your head slightly off-center to avoid being a stationary target.

---

2. Chambering the Left Horizontal Elbow (Preparation)

• Hand Position:
  Your left hand starts in its guard position near your chin. Your fist is relaxed but ready to tighten upon striking.
• Elbow Alignment:
  Begin to lift your left elbow outward and upward, ensuring it remains slightly bent and aligned with your shoulder. This positioning allows the elbow strike to be both sharp and compact.
• Hip and Shoulder Rotation:
  Rotate your hips and shoulders slightly to the rear (to the right for orthodox fighters). This prepares your body to generate rotational force for the elbow strike.

---

3. Executing the Left Horizontal Elbow (The Actual Strike)

1. Step 1 – Rotate the Hips and Shoulders:
   • Push off the ball of your lead foot as you rotate your hips and shoulders forward (to the left for orthodox).
   • The rotation generates power, transferring it from your lower body to your upper body.
2. Step 2 – Elbow Path and Arm Position:
   • Swing your left elbow horizontally across your body in a sharp, cutting motion.
   • Keep your forearm horizontal, with the tip of your elbow leading the strike.
   • Your fist should remain tight, with your palm facing either inward or downward, depending on the angle of the strike.
3. Step 3 – Target and Impact:
   • Aim for your opponent’s head, jawline, or temple for maximum effectiveness. The horizontal elbow is designed to cut or cause significant damage.
   • Focus on landing the tip of your elbow for precision and sharp impact.
4. Step 4 – Follow Through and Retract:
   • Follow through with the strike, allowing your elbow to finish slightly past the centerline of your target.
   • Immediately retract your arm back to the guard position to maintain defensive readiness.

---

4. Footwork During the Left Horizontal Elbow

1. Weight Transfer:
   • Shift your weight slightly onto your lead foot as you throw the elbow. Avoid overcommitting, which could leave you off-balance.
2. Pivoting:
   • Pivot your lead foot slightly outward as you rotate your hips and shoulders. This pivot helps generate additional power and keeps your stance stable.
3. Stepping (Optional):
   • If you need to close the distance, take a small step forward with your lead foot while throwing the elbow. Ensure the step is subtle to avoid telegraphing the strike.

---

5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

1. Rear Hand Guard:
   • While throwing the left elbow, keep your rear hand high and close to your face. This protects against counterattacks, especially hooks or uppercuts.
2. Head Position:
   • Keep your head slightly off-center during and after the strike to reduce the risk of being countered.
   • Use subtle head movement or a slip to evade potential counters.
3. Elbow and Rib Protection:
   • Keep your right elbow tucked in close to your body to protect against body shots while throwing the strike.

---

6. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Return to Guard:
   • Once the elbow lands (or misses), quickly retract your left arm back to its guard position near your chin. This ensures you’re ready to block or counter any retaliatory strikes.
2. Set-Up for Combinations:
   • The left horizontal elbow can be part of a combination:
     • Follow it with a right elbow or straight punch.
     • Transition into a clinch for knees or sweeps.
     • Combine it with a low kick to destabilize your opponent.
3. Reset Your Stance:
   • Return to your balanced Muay Thai stance, ready for your next move or to defend against a counterattack.

---

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcommitting:
   • Avoid swinging the elbow too widely or leaning too far forward, as this can leave you off-balance and vulnerable to counters.
2. Dropping the Rear Hand:
   • Always keep your rear hand high to guard against counterattacks, particularly hooks or overhands.
3. Telegraphing the Strike:
   • Avoid exaggerated movements, such as winding up too much or dropping your arm before the strike. This can alert your opponent to your intentions.
4. Neglecting the Hips:
   • The power of the horizontal elbow comes from the rotation of the hips and shoulders. Failing to engage them reduces the strike’s effectiveness.

---

8. Advanced Concepts

1. Feinting with the Elbow:
   • Use subtle shoulder or head movements to feint a horizontal elbow. This can bait your opponent into dropping their guard or reacting defensively, creating openings for other strikes.
2. Angle Adjustments:
   • After throwing the elbow, pivot or step to the side to create a better angle for follow-up attacks or to evade counters.
3. Clinch Transition:
   • The horizontal elbow can be used to disrupt your opponent’s guard or balance, allowing you to transition into a clinch for further attacks like knees or sweeps.

---

By mastering the Left Horizontal Elbow, you gain a versatile and devastating weapon in your Muay Thai arsenal. Its compact motion and precision make it ideal for close-range combat, where its cutting power can cause significant damage while maintaining your defensive integrity.