Best way to train elbow strikes

[Francis]

Hi guys,

Is the best way to train elbow strikes through shadow boxing, or by hitting the heavybag? Of course sparring and competition are better ways for honing any skills,but I mean by training on ourselves.

I'd appreciate anyone's opinion on that. Thank you very much.

Edited March 6, 2022 by Francis

[dtrick924]

Check out this video from Sylvie about using a wall to improve your elbow strikes. 

If you are a subscriber to Sylvie's patreon there is also a tag in the Muay Thai Library for elbows. MTL: Elbows https://www.patreon.com/sylviemuay/posts?filters[tag]=MTL%3A Elbows

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

I'll answer through what I've learned from Yodkhunpon, who I think is probably the expert above experts on this. He says you train elbows mostly in shadow, because that way you're wearing grooves in your fluidity and feeling, which is 99% of how elbows become dangerous. It's about finding the full range of motion and feeling the correct timing on them. However, in order to really understand timing you have to be employing them against someone who doesn't want you to hit them with elbows, which isn't a bag or padwork, it's a person. You have to be super mindful when practicing elbows with a person, meaning you either pull them and just feel the timing without throwing them, or you wear lots of padding and protection and still throw pretty light.

[Francis]

10 hours ago, Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu said:

I'll answer through what I've learned from Yodkhunpon, who I think is probably the expert above experts on this. He says you train elbows mostly in shadow, because that way you're wearing grooves in your fluidity and feeling, which is 99% of how elbows become dangerous. It's about finding the full range of motion and feeling the correct timing on them. However, in order to really understand timing you have to be employing them against someone who doesn't want you to hit them with elbows, which isn't a bag or padwork, it's a person. You have to be super mindful when practicing elbows with a person, meaning you either pull them and just feel the timing without throwing them, or you wear lots of padding and protection and still throw pretty light.

Thank you Sylvie! That's super enlightening. I appreciate it very much!