Thread: The elbow as a blocking tool

I think theres a whole art form in it that is hardly used these days I see some fighters do it reactionally but maybe not intentionally to set up a hit.

I think to land a cross or straight and lift your arm into a wing so their counter hook cant get around your elbow (bit like hiding behind a wing) is one I see work in reaction quite a bit, but I dont think its taught.

Also in close when its on and its tight; dropping the elbow into their arm while loading it up and launch an uppercut off it in the same move.

Anyone into this as a practice?

Originally Posted by Andre

I think to land a cross or straight and lift your arm into a wing so their counter hook cant get around your elbow (bit like hiding behind a wing) is one I see work in reaction quite a bit, but I dont think its taught.

Hi Andre.

Having some trouble visualising this. Would this be, for example, throwing a straght right, then straight away lifting the same arm up into the wing, so their left hook can't catch you?

I've used pulling arms in training mainly for defence only. Sometimes as a way of getting inside, blocking a punch so I can do a quick counter.

This Kid was good at ithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xCo-T7VklM

I was taught it in kali but never in boxing. I was told NOT to use it by one amateur coach. Well if it's the split second difference between me using my elbow to block, fucking up a slip and getting tagged in the face...I'm going to use the elbow.

I get what you're saying Andre. The way i see it, the elbow coming up is just the natural result of a shoulder roll. I've noticed when Mayweather is backed on the ropes and his opponent is trying to swarm, he'll do that really exaggerated back and forth rolling, and i think as a result, sometimes his elbow comes up unintentionally (or intentionally) and acts a deterrent or a post to keep the opponents off.

I say you shouldn't look to use it, but its an invaluable tool, not just against swarmers, but any style up close.

Originally Posted by Howlin Mad Missy

I was taught it in kali but never in boxing. I was told NOT to use it by one amateur coach. Well if it's the split second difference between me using my elbow to block, fucking up a slip and getting tagged in the face...I'm going to use the elbow.

Yeah, I had a friend who trained in Kali, and I think that technique was called, defanging the snake? Not sure, quite awhile ago.

Had another friend when he sparred, and his opponent would try to throw a left to his body, my friend would try to drop his right elbow on his opponents fist or wrist area to cause damage.

I used to find it useful when sparring my cousin. He was a southpaw and was good at pulling back from my left hooks and the elbow was always the quickest way to block a counter. I heard that they use the elbow to block punches in some filipino martial art looking to injure their hand. My coach was always against it though because he thought it could injure a sparring partner's face if he tried to get inside.

Originally Posted by Gonzo13

Originally Posted by Howlin Mad Missy

I was taught it in kali but never in boxing. I was told NOT to use it by one amateur coach. Well if it's the split second difference between me using my elbow to block, fucking up a slip and getting tagged in the face...I'm going to use the elbow.

Yeah, I had a friend who trained in Kali, and I think that technique was called, defanging the snake? Not sure, quite awhile ago.

Had another friend when he sparred, and his opponent would try to throw a left to his body, my friend would try to drop his right elbow on his opponents fist or wrist area to cause damage.

the snake thing rings a bell. You could try and drop your elbow on their hand but it leaves you too exposed if they feignt and whip it into a high hook/uppercut.

Originally Posted by DroolingLiver

Originally Posted by Andre

I think to land a cross or straight and lift your arm into a wing so their counter hook cant get around your elbow (bit like hiding behind a wing) is one I see work in reaction quite a bit, but I dont think its taught.

Hi Andre.

Having some trouble visualising this. Would this be, for example, throwing a straght right, then straight away lifting the same arm up into the wing, so their left hook can't catch you?

I've used pulling arms in training mainly for defence only. Sometimes as a way of getting inside, blocking a punch so I can do a quick counter.

Hahaha Drooling Liver, great name .

Yeah thats what I meant.

Or land a left jab and lift the left elbow onto the right hook that tries to come over it.