Horizontal Elbow
- Striking
- Elbows
- intermediate
- Close range / clinch
- 3 steps
A lead elbow swung horizontally across the jaw, the most common cutting elbow. Also known as the Sok Tat or the Slashing elbow (across). Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Throw the horizontal elbow at close range, after a punch has closed the distance or as the opponent steps in. It follows a cross or a lead hook naturally because the turn is the same. In the clinch it lands as they break the tie and pull back.
Step by step
- 01
Close the distance
Step into elbow range with your hands high.
- 02
Swing the elbow across
Raise the lead elbow to head height and rotate the body to swing the point of the elbow horizontally across the target, hand tucked to your own temple.
- 03
Recover to guard
Bring the arm back to your guard and reset. Elbows are close-range, so stay tight.
Key details
- Lead with the point of the elbow, not the forearm.
- Turn the hips and shoulder like a hook to drive it.
- Keep the hand tucked to your head to stay protected.
Common mistakes
- Reaching with the forearm instead of the point.
- Throwing it from too far. Elbows are close range.
- Dropping the off hand as you turn.
Common counters
Opponents cover with a high guard and clinch, or step out of elbow range and counter with a straight punch. Some duck under it and change levels. Stay tight, keep the other hand at your head and do not reach.
How to drill it
Cross into lead elbow on the mitts: the holder takes the cross, then shows a mitt at head height for the elbow. Do three rounds of two minutes, keeping the hand tucked to your temple on every rep.
Related techniques
- Diagonal ElbowStrikingA lead elbow that slashes downward on a diagonal across the brow, a classic cutter.
- Uppercut ElbowStrikingAn elbow driven straight up the centre under the chin from inside the pocket.
- Downward ElbowStrikingAn elbow raised high and speared straight down onto the crown or face.
- Spinning Back ElbowStrikingA spinning strike that lands the point of the rear elbow across the head as the body unwinds.
Train it with the AI coach