Over the last two blocks of 10 lessons, we narrowed the focus to elbow strikes. We covered the main elbow methods found in Muay Thai, then used mixed martial arts training ideas to test them against movement, clinch pressure, grips, and resistance. Then we came back to karate. More specifically, we came back to naihanchi.

My client from Cotswold Karate School has been taking several months of Muay Thai cross-training lessons. The aim has not been to replace karate with kickboxing. The aim has been to use kickboxing and Muay Thai as attribute training, so certain ideas already present in karate can become more alive under pressure.

Elbows are one of the most powerful and versatile weapons in Muay Thai. Yet, many martial arts teachers find it challenging to train elbows effectively in sparring, especially when combining them with other striking tools. During hour six of my personal training course with a teacher client from Cotswold Karate School, we focused intensely on elbows under pressure. This session involved a series of sparring rounds designed to sharpen elbow techniques in various scenarios.