The Uppercut Elbow (Sok Ngad) is a powerful, close-range technique in the Muay Thai discipline. It requires precision, strength, and a good sense of timing. Particularly effective in infighting, this technique utilizes the sharp point of the elbow to target the opponent's chin or jaw.
Begin in a standard Muay Thai stance with your hands up protecting your face. Your elbows should be ready to strike, close to your body.
To deliver the Uppercut Elbow, lift your elbow to a vertical position and rotate your torso towards your opponent. Aim to strike with the tip of your elbow up into your opponent's jaw or chin.
Defending against the Uppercut Elbow involves recognizing the cues for the strike and moving your head back and out of range. Simultaneously, raising your guard to protect your chin can minimize potential damage if the elbow connects.
To counter the Uppercut Elbow, stepping back and out of the elbow's range is effective. Following this, you could counterattack with a quick jab or cross as your opponent will be in a vulnerable position after missing the elbow strike.
In competition, the Uppercut Elbow can be a fight-ending strike. It can be used when in close range or during clinch work to potentially knockout an opponent due to its upward trajectory towards the chin or jaw.
The Uppercut Elbow also has the advantage of being a somewhat deceptive technique as it comes from a lower angle, making it difficult for an opponent to see. However, be mindful of your own defense when executing this technique as missing the strike can leave you exposed to counterattacks.
The Uppercut Elbow (Sok Ngad) is a must-know technique for Muay Thai practitioners due to its power and efficiency in close-quarters. As with all strikes, it requires consistent practice to master the movement, timing, and application of this technique.