• No categories
  • Foot Position:
    Start in your Muay Thai stance, with your left foot forward if you are orthodox (right foot forward for southpaws). Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, allowing for balance and fluid movement. Weight should be on the balls of your feet for readiness.
  • Knees and Hips:
    Keep your knees slightly bent to maintain balance and mobility. Your hips should stay relaxed and aligned with your body’s center of gravity, making it easier to rotate effectively.
  • Hands/Guard:
    • Lead hand (left hand) should be up, near your chin, protecting your face.
    • Rear hand (right hand) should be close to your face as well, guarding your chin and jaw.
    • Elbows should be tucked in to protect your ribs, with your head slightly off-center to avoid easy strikes from your opponent.

  • Head and Eyes:
    Always keep your eyes focused on your opponent to anticipate their moves. Stay aware of their upper body and face to avoid being caught off-guard.
  • Lower Body and Core Engagement:
    Before the spin, engage your core and lower body. The power for the spinning back elbow comes from the rotation of your hips and torso, so it’s important to stay connected to your body.
  • Rear Foot Position:
    Begin by pivoting on your left foot (for an orthodox stance). The right foot will be the one you push off from during the spin.

  1. Step 1 – Initiate the Spin:
    To initiate the spin, push off with your left foot while rotating your body counterclockwise (for orthodox stance). As your body starts rotating, bring your head, shoulders, and torso around smoothly in a controlled spin. Your right foot should pivot on the ball to help rotate your body.
  2. Step 2 – Elbow Movement:
    As you complete the rotation, bring your right elbow around in a circular arc toward the target. The movement should be fluid, with the elbow extending fully to make contact. The elbow will strike with the sharp, pointy edge of your elbow.
  3. Step 3 – Elbow Position and Impact:
    Aim the strike towards your opponent’s head, specifically targeting areas like the temple, chin, or cheekbone. The right elbow should be slightly bent, with the point of the elbow coming in contact with the opponent. The power of the strike will come from your rotational movement and the acceleration of your elbow as it makes contact.
  4. Step 4 – Follow Through and Retract:
    After delivering the elbow, allow the momentum of the spin to carry you slightly forward. Quickly retract your right elbow back into guard position to ensure you’re protected from counterattacks.

  1. Pivoting:
    To generate power, you need to pivot on your left foot as you execute the spin. The pivot should be smooth and quick to keep the rotational motion tight and efficient.
  2. Weight Transfer:
    As you rotate, shift your weight from your left foot to your right foot, allowing for fluidity and power. The weight shift allows you to generate more force as you execute the spin.
  3. Step or Slide:
    Depending on the distance between you and your opponent, you may step or slide your lead foot (left foot) forward to close the gap. This helps maintain balance while you execute the spin, allowing you to follow up with another strike or retreat quickly if needed.

  1. Rear Hand Guard:
    As you perform the spinning back elbow, keep your left hand high near your chin to guard against any counter punches or hooks from your opponent. Never drop your rear hand during the attack.
  2. Head Movement:
    After executing the spinning back elbow, make sure to subtly move your head or body to avoid counters. A slight head movement or lateral body movement can make you a more difficult target.
  3. Elbow and Arm Position:
    Keep your right elbow bent as you deliver the strike and avoid flaring it out excessively. If your elbow sticks out too much, you leave yourself open to counterattacks, such as hooks or uppercuts.

  1. Return to Guard:
    After landing (or missing) the spinning back elbow, quickly retract your right elbow back to your face and raise your left hand back to its guard position. This ensures you’re immediately protected from any counters.
  2. Set-Up for Combinations:
    The spinning back elbow can be part of a larger combination. After landing it, follow up with a low kick, knee, hook, or elbow. You can also use the spinning motion to close the distance and enter the clinch.
  3. Reset Your Position:
    If you’ve moved or rotated while delivering the elbow, ensure that your feet are properly reset, and you are back in a balanced stance to defend or attack again.

  1. Overcommitting to the Spin:
    Avoid spinning too fast or too far, as it may leave you off-balance and vulnerable. The spin should be controlled and precise, not reckless.
  2. Dropping the Rear Hand:
    One of the most common mistakes is dropping the left hand (the guard hand) while spinning. Always keep your rear hand up to guard against any counterattacks during the strike.
  3. Lack of Hip Engagement:
    Focusing too much on arm movement instead of engaging your hips and core will reduce the power of the strike. Make sure your lower body generates the rotational power.
  4. Elbow Flare:
    Avoid allowing your elbow to flare out too much during the spin. This exposes you to counterhooks and other strikes, as well as weakening your elbow’s effectiveness.

  1. Feinting the Spinning Back Elbow:
    At an advanced level, the spinning back elbow can be used as a feint to trick your opponent. By pretending to spin into the elbow, you can bait them into reacting, leaving an opening for a different strike, such as a straight punch or a kick.
  2. Adding an Angle to the Spin:
    You can subtly angle your body during the spin, which makes the back elbow more unpredictable and harder to avoid. This slight change can also help you land the strike with more power.
  3. Combination After the Elbow:
    After executing the spinning back elbow, you might follow up with a knee, elbow, or a low kick. The spin sets up openings for multiple strikes, making it an excellent tool in combination.

The right spinning back elbow is a dynamic and powerful technique in Muay Thai. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to surprise your opponent with a sudden, explosive strike from an unpredictable angle. To execute it properly, you need fluid body rotation, strong core engagement, and a controlled pivot. When combined with proper defensive positioning and footwork, the spinning back elbow can be a game-changer in your Muay Thai arsenal. With practice, you’ll be able to land this strike with both precision and power, creating opportunities for follow-up attacks.