Elbows in the Clinch (diary entry)

24.08.2023 Thursday night's private lesson brought my couple client to hour six of their Muay Thai course. Tonight we focused on using elbow strikes in the clinch. After a dynamic stretch/pose sequence warm-up we began our clinch-work. We drilled positioning for the centre of the plum position and then collar and elbow controls. Next I introduced a curve knee drill with posture breaking. We then then looked at the spear elbow. A great way to introduce this technique into training, especially live practice, is by using it against the sternum and solar plexus. This has a close relationship with the way nak muays control the clinch. When they collar tie it is common to push the elbow into the centre, exerting pressure on the middle of the chest and sternum. A short drop puts this same pressure into the solar plexus. Add in the forward, backwards, lineal and circular footwork to attack an opponent's posture and the momentum can be increased to turn these "control points" into full spear elbow strikes. With elbow pads on the practising nak muays can then throw these techniques to the head. With the head target now confirmed, we moved onto the horizontal elbow. I taught three ways to throw these from a collar and elbow tie. The first way involves pushing the shoulder through on an opponent's collar tie, passing the glove over the opponent's face and pulling said opponent into the oncoming strike with the fighter's own collar tie. A less subtle but more powerful second way has the nak muay break the opponent's collar tie from the outside, using the drop down force and the opponent's natural resistance to rebound the elbow through the gap created. Finally, the most dramatic variation of all involved using a dominate grip on the inside of the opponent's collar tie to completely clear the attack line for the most direct horizontal elbow of all. After practising these individual techniques against a compliant opponent, both boxers drilled it in one-for-one sparring. https://clubbchimera.com/services/