Elbows

[twtguy]

Why are you suppose to have your palm open and facing the target when throwing an elbow? Is it because of the sharpness of the elbow? Because, I don't feel a difference in sharpness.

[Little Apple]

I tried both after reading your post, and I don't know the real reason, but I hit myself in the throat when my palm was facing me. On the snap elbows anyway.

[jeff5]

I was always told its because it exposes the bone of the elbow. If you make a fist and feel your elbow, you'll feel a bit of meat covering the bone. If your open your hand with your palm facing you, you should feel all bone. One of the main uses of an elbow in MT is to cause cuts, and I'm pretty sure the thinking is that hitting with the bone is better for cutting on the face and inducing bleeding.

[twtguy]

I guess I don't have a lot of meat on my elbows because I can't feel a difference.

[kerambit]

It's also a strong position for the arm to be in; it locks the bones of the forearm.

Try rotating your wrist the other way and locking it in the opposite direction and see how convenient it would feel to throw an elbow blow.

[Maxx]

It is easier to accentuate the elbow with the palm facing outward during the actual strike, but there is another reason. according to an instructor that I had years ago, throwing an elbow with a closed fist actually contracts the muscles and tightens the ligaments and tendons of the forearm during the strike. And as we've always been told... Relax... You'll move more quickly and be able to exlode more easily from a relaxed posture than from a tensed one.

[David Hole]

And Maxx wins the gold star!

[yenhoi]

I also think it has to do with maintaining a more 'proper' guard, so you are able to follow with more elbows, pushing (into kicks), or swimming in for the plumb.

[deathstrike]

It is easier to accentuate the elbow with the palm facing outward during the actual strike, but there is another reason. according to an instructor that I had years ago, throwing an elbow with a closed fist actually contracts the muscles and tightens the ligaments and tendons of the forearm during the strike.

I was told by my instructor that you should throw an elbow strike with the palm open instead of a closed fist so you are ready to block an opponents strike with the open palm.

[William]

A number of good points brought up so far.

Another reason to keep the hand open is following up after the elbow is thrown. I was also taught the option to strike back with the elbow (like KK), meaning: if you throw the elbow and miss or graze off, immediately reverse and strike back on the angle you just delivered possibly catching them on the return as they move in to strike the weak side. Try it with an open hand, then closed fist and tell me which feels faster and more efficient. ( The other option is to flow with it and come around with a reverse down elbow for example. all depends on positioning and power used.)

Off of that concept for example:
(I'm generally a right lead so I'll explain this from that side, bridging in to close range. Either following off of one of your own strikes, or parrying down a strike from your opponents left side).

Let's say you're throwing a left elbow, right foot is stepping off the centerline at about roughly 33 - 45 degrees as you move forward to strike. This lines your left elbow onto your opponents center line (and moves your head and body off of his), possibly cutting down through their guard. You hit their glove/hand ( he's covering up) or graze off....

1) Reverse direction, hand open and loose pivoting the forearm out. If your opponents left is up protecting....when your forearm makes contact, immediately hook your hand and slide down catching and pulling his arm down/out of the way...pivot at the hip and throw the right elbow into the opening you just created.

2) (if head is open) Reverse direction pivoting the forearm out smashing it into the side of the head. When you hit, hand is open and hooked into a "C" , immediately pull down hooking behind the neck. Pull the head down into either a left side knee, or switch step into a right knee to the ribs.

2B) Reverse direction pivoting the forearm out smashing it into the side of the head. When you hit, hand is open and hooked into a "C" . pull down hooking behind the neck. Start to pull the head down (his tendency will be to pull back) and immediately reverse direction and elbow to the face. Then knee or elbow them again.


Keeping the hand open and loose when you throw the elbow facilitates a faster response and counter options in my opinion (in addition to good points made already).



William.


PS: Remember, even though I may be swinging my left forearm out as I pivot back on the angle, I'm still keeping my chin tucked and protected by my shoulder, right hand protecting my head. And I didn't even get into the footwork yet.