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 weight distributed on the balls of your feet to maintain agility.
• Knees and Hips:
  Keep your knees slightly bent for balance and mobility. Ensure your hips are relaxed and aligned with your center of gravity for smooth rotation.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Your lead hand (left hand for orthodox) stays high, protecting your chin and ready to counter.
  • Your rear hand (right hand for orthodox) is up, shielding your jaw and temple.
  • Tuck your elbows close to your body to guard your ribs.
  • Keep your head slightly off-center to reduce the chance of being a stationary target.

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2. Chambering the Right Horizontal Elbow (Preparation)

• Hand Position:
  The right hand (rear hand) starts in its guard position near your chin. Your fist is relaxed but prepared to tighten upon striking.
• Elbow Alignment:
  Begin to lift your right elbow outward and upward. Keep the elbow slightly bent and aligned with your shoulder to ensure a compact and sharp strike.
• Hip and Shoulder Rotation:
  Rotate your hips and shoulders slightly to the rear (to the left for orthodox). This creates the torque needed to generate power when executing the elbow.

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

1. Step 1 – Rotate the Hips and Shoulders:
   • Push off the ball of your rear foot as you rotate your hips and shoulders forward (to the right for orthodox).
   • The rotation is key to transferring power from your lower body to your upper body.
2. Step 2 – Elbow Path and Arm Position:
   • Swing your right elbow horizontally across your body in a tight, cutting motion.
   • Keep the movement compact, with the tip of your elbow leading the strike.
   • Your forearm should stay horizontal, and your fist should remain tight with the palm facing inward or slightly downward.
3. Step 3 – Target and Impact:
   • Aim for your opponent’s head, jaw, or temple to maximize the damage. This elbow is designed for close-range impact and can cause cuts or disorientation.
   • Focus on landing with the sharp tip of the elbow for precision and power.
4. Step 4 – Follow Through and Retract:
   • Let the elbow follow through slightly past your opponent’s centerline, ensuring full impact.
   • Immediately retract your arm back to its guard position to maintain defensive readiness.

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4. Footwork During the Right Horizontal Elbow

1. Weight Transfer:
   • As you throw the right elbow, shift your weight slightly onto your rear leg. Avoid overcommitting to maintain balance and control.
2. Pivoting:
   • Pivot on the ball of your rear foot to enhance the rotation of your hips and shoulders. This pivot not only increases power but also keeps your stance stable.
3. Stepping (Optional):
   • If you need to close the distance, take a small step forward with your rear foot while throwing the elbow. Ensure the movement is subtle to avoid telegraphing the strike.

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5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

1. Lead Hand Guard:
   • While throwing the right elbow, keep your lead hand high and close to your face. This protects against counterattacks, especially hooks or jabs.
2. Head Position:
   • Keep your head slightly off-center during and after the strike to reduce the risk of counters.
   • Subtle head movement or a slip can help evade potential strikes.
3. Elbow and Rib Protection:
   • Keep your left elbow tucked close to your body to protect against body shots.

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6. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Return to Guard:
   • After the elbow lands (or misses), retract your right arm quickly to its guard position near your chin. This ensures you’re ready to defend or counter.
2. Set-Up for Combinations:
   • The right horizontal elbow can seamlessly flow into various combinations:
     • Follow with a left elbow or hook.
     • Add a low kick to destabilize your opponent.
     • Transition into a clinch for knees or sweeps.
3. Reset Your Stance:
   • Return to your balanced Muay Thai stance, ready for your next move or to defend against a counterattack.

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7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

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

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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, creating openings for follow-up strikes.
2. Angle Adjustments:
   • After throwing the elbow, pivot or step to create a better angle for follow-up attacks or to evade counters.
3. Clinch Transition:
   • Use the horizontal elbow to disrupt your opponent’s guard or balance, then transition into a clinch for further attacks like knees, sweeps, or an elbow barrage.

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The Right Horizontal Elbow is a powerful and versatile tool in close-range combat. Its sharp trajectory and precision make it an excellent weapon for breaking through an opponent’s guard and causing significant damage, all while maintaining a strong defensive posture.