Instructions for the Rear Elbow Strike (or Back Elbow Strike)

This page provides instructions for the Rear Elbow Strike (or Back Elbow Strike, Reverse Elbow Strike, etc.). This elbow strike is often used in self-defense situations when grabbed from behind in order to strike an attacker's stomach, ribs, etc.

For other elbow strikes (i.e. spinning elbow strike), please visit the main Elbow Strikes section.

Written Instructions for Technique

• In this technique, you will bring your elbow backwards in order to strike a target.
• If an attacker has grabbed you from behind around the shoulders, you can thrust your elbow backwards into his stomach or ribs.
• If an attacker has grabbed you from behind around the waist, you can swing your elbow backwards to strike his head.
• The rear elbow strike is also used if you have thrown a forward horizontal elbow strike and want to bring the elbow back to make a second strike on the opposite side of the target. For example, you have thrown a forward horizontal elbow strike towards an attacker's head. You have missed and swung past the target. However, rather than bringing your arm fully back to its original starting position, you can bring the elbow back across your body and the opposite side of the attacker's head.