Kickboxing
Slashing Elbow Strike
The slashing elbow strike sweeps a bent elbow diagonally downward with a turn of your hips and chest. Practiced without contact, it trains upper-body coordination, trunk rotation, and balance.
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Low injury risk
- Rest 45 sec
How to do it
- Stand with one foot forward, feet about shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent.
- Bring your hands beside your cheeks.
- Lift your striking elbow slightly above your imagined target, with your forearm folded toward your upper arm.
- Sweep your bent elbow diagonally downward across your front using a small turn of your hips and chest.
- Slow the elbow to a stop before your torso turns away from the imagined target.
- Return your striking hand to your cheek along the same path.
Form cues
- Let your turning foot pivot.
- Keep your opposite hand guarding your face.
- Stay centered between your feet.
- Exhale briefly through the strike.
Common mistakes
- Swinging only from the shoulderLet your hips and chest drive the elbow's path rather than throwing your arm independently.
- Opening the elbowKeep your forearm folded so the elbow leads instead of the hand.
- Spinning past the targetShorten the arc so you finish facing forward with your target still in view.
Safety
Forceful air strikes can strain your shoulder when you abruptly stop the arm, especially as you tire. Accidental elbow contact can seriously injure another person.
- Practice without contact in a space clear of people and obstacles.
- Use slow technical repetitions before increasing speed.
- Warm up with gentle shoulder circles and trunk turns.
- End the set if you lose control of the stopping point or feel joint pain.
If you have shoulder, neck, or knee pain with rotation, use a smaller pain-free range or get advice from a physiotherapist before practicing.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
No equipment needed.
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 6–10 reps per side
- Rest
- 45 sec
Complete one side before switching.