0113 – Tools of Unarmed Self-Defense: Your Elbows

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Episodes 0111 and o112 laid some strong foundational information for the remainder the podcasts that will deal with the fundamentals of unarmed combat.  Make sure you have given them a good listen before you continue on through the remainder of the unarmed combat podcasts.

Elbows

  • can be very powerful when delivered correctly
  • more rigid than blows delivered with the hand
  • require closer proximity to our attacker

Elbows (Forward Elbows)

  • Used for a close target that is generally forward of our position
  • Technique
    • From guard, simply rotate hand to the centerline so that forearm is parallel to the ground
    • Elbow leads in a forward circular motion, followed by shoulder, torso and finally forward weight shift with your lower body.
    • Strike with any part of the forearm the closer to the tip of the elbow, the better!
  • Targets
    • Opposite side of the head through the center of the near side of the head
    • Fragile nature of the head
    • Small mass vs. the large mass of our entire body striking through the elbow
    • Other targets of opportunity

Reverse Elbow

  • Used for a close target that is generally to our rear
  • Technique
    • From guard, simply rotate hand to the centerline so that forearm is parallel to the ground
    • Elbow leads in a rearward circular motion, followed by shoulder, torso and finally rearward weight shift with your lower body.
    • Strike with any part of the upper arm, the closer to the tip of the elbow the better!
  • Targets
    • Opposite side of the head through the center of the near side of the head
    • Fragile nature of the head
    • Small mass vs. the large mass of our entire body striking through the elbow
    • Other targets of opportunity
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