Become Fighter
The spinning elbow: Muay Thai guide
A showy, risky strike. Learn it on pads and use it rarely.
The spinning elbow turns your back on the opponent for a split second, which makes it risky. Used well, it surprises and cuts. Used badly, it hands over your back and your chin.
Train it on pads, in the air and slowly. Spin only when the opponent has just stepped in and cannot reach you. Never throw it in a sparring session unless the coach has agreed it.
Key points
- Spin on the ball of the lead foot, looking over your shoulder.
- Eyes find the target before the elbow comes.
- The elbow travels flat as the body turns.
- Use it as a counter, not a lead.
- Come out of the spin facing the opponent.
- Rarely. One good spinning elbow per fight is plenty.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Spinning without looking. Eyes first. A blind spin lands nowhere and leaves your back to them.
- Spinning as a lead. Use it as a counter when they step in.
- Dropping the guard. Keep the other hand up through the spin.
Combinations that use it
- mt-cross-spin-elbow: Cross, Spinning elbow
Related techniques
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Elbows advanced module of Muay Thai foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Elbows advanced
- The horizontal elbow: Muay Thai guide
- The upward elbow: Muay Thai guide
- Elbow safety, cuts and rules: Muay Thai guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.