Muay Thai Tricks of Elbows : Cherng Sok 02/24 SOK FAN NAH

Muay Thai Cherng Sok 24 Cherng (the tricks of elbows)

02/24 SOK FAN NAH : Stribes the front elbow

The boxer uses the right elbow by bending the arm and inner wrist while the front hand is on the shoulder then throws the elbow to the opponent’s face or the clavicle. This trick is used for attack, defense or escape.

To protect : holds on to the left arm.

To counter : throws the shin or the knee to the opponent' right rib, or strikes the left foot to the opponent' s abdomen it. If the boxer is a left handed fighter, reverse the descriptions from right to left.

• The elbow chop, or 'Sog Fan Nah' in Thai, is also called 'Tarng Pa' in MuayThai. The name Tarng Pa is derived from an ancient farming technique used to clear fields before harvesting season. Tarng Pa describes the swift swinging of the sickle when clearing fields, an action that is similar to that of the swift movement of the elbow in the elbow chop. The elbow is like the sickle; the Tarng Pa is the actual chopping motion. In this move, the elbow must be delivered in a diagonal direction moving from a high position downwards.
• Of all the elbow attacks used in MuayThai, the elbow chop is the most fundamental. There are, however, many other elbow attacks that are used, for instance: the elbow strike, the elbow fling, the elbow uppercut, the elbow prop, the elbow hit, the elbow stake, the elbow nudge, the reverse elbow, and so forth. In MuayThai, the elbow is the shortest of all weapons and is extremely useful in close quarter fighting. The elbow is the hardest and sharpest point of the body and causes great pain, swelling and cuts when it strikes one's opponent. The most effective target areas are the head, face, chest, and ribcage.
• The elbow chop can be used in many situations. To counter a punch you can either deliver a straight punch, sway outward and then deliver an elbow chop, or you can deliver a straight punch, sway inward and throw an elbow chop.
• The elbow chop can also be used to counter a kick. There are four ways to do so. First, you can push the leg and return with the elbow chop. Second, you can block and hold the kick and deliver the elbow chop. Third, you can block and hold the kick and then turn and do the elbow chop. Fourth, you can block, hold and pull the leg and then retaliate with an elbow chop.
• You can also counter an elbow with an elbow chop. Here are some ways to do so: Block and counter with an elbow chop; attempt to deliver the elbow chop before the opponent can strike; sway out of reach and then retaliate with an elbow chop; Sidestep away and return with an elbow chop.
• The elbow chop is also a useful counter attack to knee strikes. Use it to good effect when your opponent is trying to hold you so that he can deliver the knee.

Defend against the elbow chop
Since the elbow is a close quarter fighting weapon, the best weapon to use to counter it is the knee. Here are some methods to counter the elbow chop by using the knee

1. Sway out of reach and return with the knee.
2. Move back out of reach and return with the knee.
3. Sway outward and return with the knee.
4. Block with the hands or arms and return with the knee.
5. Hold and pull the arm and then return with the knee.
6. Block the elbow while simultaneously attacking with the knee.