Elbow Boxing

2
Foundational Elements
of the Brutal Art

By
Chuck Callaway
 Copyright © 2021 Chuck Callaway
Pictures by Bryan Callaway
Technical Assistance by Conner Callaway
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 9798471651227
 Dedication
This book is dedicated to my sons Bryan and Conner. I write all of these books for you. To document the
things that I have been fortunate enough to learn in my life and to pass them on. I am extremely proud of
you both and love you!

-Dad
 Disclaimer and Warning
The martial arts and self-defense involve the use of fighting skills and techniques designed to cause injury
to an attacker. The practice and use of these skills can be dangerous and physically demanding. The
improper use of any fighting technique could result in both criminal and civil action against the person
responsible. The information provided in this book is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The author and publisher are not responsible and assume no liability for any injury that might
result from the practice, use, or misuse, of the information contained in this book. One should
always consult a physician before engaging in any physical activity.
 Contents
Introduction
Preliminaries
Elbow Boxing and Boxing
Martial Arts Hand Skills
Covers
Tracing From Covers
Smashing Elbows
Rolling Hands and Elbows
Survival Mindset and Street
Tactics
Ground Fighting
The Path to Functionality
Conclusion
About the Author
 Introduction
When I wrote The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing , I had no idea it would be so well received. My intent
was to provide a simple guide to this highly effective martial art that still remains relatively unknown
today. The book was designed to cover the key elements of Elbow Boxing as I learned them from my
teacher Vic Butler when I began studying with him in the late eighties. I also wanted the book to serve as
a reference for my two sons whom I was teaching.
As is the case with any book, it is extremely difficult to capture the true essence of a martial art on
the written page. Although I believe The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing provides a solid foundation for a
person to learn the basics of this fighting system, there are more advanced concepts and techniques
which were not covered in the first volume. In addition, there were areas that the first book touched upon
which could have been explained clearer and in more detail.
In this second volume I will go into much more detail regarding this highly effective martial art. We
will discuss how to take the basic skills learned in the first volume to a higher level. We will also cover
how to integrate Elbow Boxing strategies and techniques into your other fighting skills. I will also attempt
to answer some questions that I received after the first book was published and clear up some
misconceptions.
Elbow Boxing has served me extremely well over the years. It has been the glue that has held my
other fighting skills together and it has saved my butt in several real encounters. I am confident that if
you take the time to learn this brutal martial art, you will also develop a deep respect for its simplicity
and effectiveness. Enjoy the journey!
Chuck Callaway
May 2021
 Preliminaries
In this first chapter, I will go into a little more detail about the history of Elbow Boxing. I will also
answer some common questions I get and clear up some misconceptions regarding this art. Having a
solid understanding of what Elbow Boxing is, and what it isn’t, will help establish the proper mindset
moving forward.

The Origin of Elbow Boxing

When I began learning Elbow Boxing in 1987, I was told the following story regarding the origin of this
fighting system. Although the story was conveyed in great detail to include the names of individuals
involved, I have purposely omitted these details to protect the identity and background of those who have
turned their lives around, become productive members of society, and do not wish to be publicly
mentioned in a book. I am also passing on this story based on my own memory of conversations I had with
my instructor. Any details I may have gotten wrong are due solely to my own lack of recollection.
When my instructor was a young man growing up in Atlanta Georgia, there was a group of people in
his neighborhood who would get together and train in boxing and various other martial arts. Most of the
group that trained together were comparable in skill.
One young man who was a member of the group became involved in some legal trouble and wound
up incarcerated for a period of time. When he was eventually released from prison, he returned to the
neighborhood and met back up with his old friends to train again. To everyone’s surprise, he had gained
significant fighting skills while he was away. He was able to easily defeat the other members of the group
with an unorthodox system of fighting that relied heavily upon elbow techniques.
The young man told the other members of the group that he had learned this fighting method while
in prison. He taught my instructor and a few of the others what he had learned, and they began to
practice it as the core of their fighting techniques.

The Evolution of Elbow Boxing

In the beginning, Elbow Boxing was essentially fighting with your elbows in the same manner that a boxer
uses his hands to fight. The rapid combination of elbow strikes also blended extremely well with
traditional boxing and the two arts were commonly mixed together. It was because of these factors that
people called the system Elbow Boxing.
In addition to the devastating elbow strikes and traditional boxing skills, early Elbow Boxing
contained various methods of defense, low line kicks, head butting, and highly mobile footwork. One key
element of the art was its street fighting mindset. Elbow Boxing was never intended to be a sport, but
rather a vicious method of survival and self-defense.
As Elbow Boxing was shared with members of the group, it began to evolve. Over the years,
elements of Wing Chun Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Kali, Jiu-jitsu and other arts were slowly incorporated in, but
the original Elbow Boxing system always remained at the core.
Sifu Vic Butler is an outstanding martial artist with close to five decades of experience training in the
fighting arts. Over the years he has taken the original Elbow Boxing system that he learned as a young
man, polished it, and blended it with elements of other fighting systems. As a result, Elbow Boxing has
evolved into the complete fighting system that it is today. The beauty of elbow boxing is its no-nonsense
approach to fighting and the fact that it can complement any martial art you study.

My Personal Experience
In 1987, I came back to the United States after a military tour of duty overseas. At the time I had been
training in the martial arts for over ten years and held several belt ranks in various systems including a
black belt in Tang Soo Do. I had also received hand to hand combat training in the military and had
competed in numerous competitions. I was very confident in my fighting skills. In fact, I was
overconfident.
Shortly after arriving at my new assignment, I met Vic Butler and we immediately connected. When I
found out about his martial arts experience, we talked for hours, and he ultimately invited me to train
with him and a few of his students. As we talked, he told me that he had studied several fighting systems
including Shotokan Karate, Goshin Budo Jiujitsu, Molum Combat Arts, and boxing. He didn’t immediately
mention his knowledge and skill in Elbow Boxing.
A few days later, I joined Vic and his students for a training session. The workout started with some
simple warm up exercises and then we rolled our shins with a wooden stick to condition them. For the
next hour or so we practiced combinations of striking techniques, joint locks, and some grappling
techniques on a hard wood floor with no mats. I noticed immediately that Vic used a lot of elbow
techniques in rapid combination with boxing and low line kicks. His techniques were fast, powerful, and
smooth. I could tell without a doubt that he knew what he was doing.
As the training session winded down, Vic announced that it was time to spar. He paired me off with
one of his black belt students, told me we would be fighting with moderate contact and signaled us to
begin the bout. I immediately started attacking with several high kicks to my opponent’s head followed by
some hand strikes. My kicking skills were pretty good at the time, and I dominated the match landing
several good shots to the black belt. Vic then stopped the fight.
“You have great kicks,” he said, “but you kick too high.” I immediately became defensive as my ego
started to get bruised. “You need to keep your kicks low to the legs or you will get taken down in a real
fight”. Now I was mad, and I replied by telling Vic that my kicks were fast and powerful, and I could
knock someone out before they could take me down. Vic stepped in front of me and invited me to spar
with him. I thought to myself it was time to show this guy that he was dead wrong about my kicking skills.
Vic gave the signal to begin, and I charged forward with a combination of kicks. Before I could land
one of my prized kicks, Vic had angled offline and struck my kicking leg with an elbow destruction. He
then landed a Phoenix Eye strike with his knuckle to my ribs followed by a round elbow strike as he took
me down to the ground with a sweep. I tried to recover as I hit the hard floor, but it was too late. Vic sunk
a rear naked choke in, and the lights went out. When I woke up from my unexpected nap, Vic helped me
to my feet, and I realized that I had just learned a valuable lesson. From that point forward I let go of my
ego and listened to the advice and instruction Vic had to offer. I became his lifelong student.
Once I began training with Vic, he introduced me to Elbow Boxing and told me the history of the
system. He stressed that Elbow Boxing is about survival and self-defense. It is not about competition or
sport. He also told me not to demonstrate it publicly or to show off with the movements.
When Vic explained the mindset of Elbow Boxing, he stressed that you should always avoid conflict
at all costs. if someone tries to test you or challenge you, you should always walk away and only fight as
an absolute last resort. If you are forced to fight, you must seek to incapacitate the opponent as quickly as
possible. If you don’t hurt the opponent instantly, he will hurt you. He stressed that you don’t play around
with Elbow Boxing or use it halfheartedly.
I continued my study of Elbow Boxing and martial arts with Vic for years and eventually earned a
third-degree black belt from him. Even though he has moved to another state, and we don’t see each
other much these days, we talk regularly, and he is still my teacher. Vic gave me his blessing when I wrote
my first two books, Forging the Fighter and The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing.
When I got out of the military, I worked in a career that occasionally required me to use my martial
arts skills to defend myself in real encounters. These encounters included both fights with empty hands
and situations involving weapons. Whenever these situations occurred, the skills and mindset I gained
from Elbow Boxing never failed me.
Due to the interest in Elbow Boxing, I have received a lot of questions regarding this martial art. I
would like to take a few minutes to address some of the questions and comments that I have received.

Is Elbow Boxing the same as 52 Blocks or Jailhouse Rock?

Although Elbow Boxing originated in America’s prison system, and has many similarities with 52 Blocks, I
never heard it called by that name during my years of training under Sifu Butler. From what little
information I have seen on 52 Blocks and Jailhouse Rock, some of the techniques look identical, but we
never numbered any of our techniques or listed them in any specific type of order. We also seldom used
the term “block” in our training. Sifu Butler always stressed that evasion, limb destruction, covers and
parries were preferred methods of defense over standard blocking techniques.
Based on what little I have seen of these arts, and the origin of Elbow Boxing that was passed on to
me, I do believe it is probable that they come from the same source. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough
information on these other systems to say for sure. It seems logical that if they evolved from the same
environment that there would be many similarities.
Because Elbow Boxing is a natural fighting system, it becomes very personal and gets individualized
by each person who learns it. My Elbow Boxing does not look exactly like my teacher’s Elbow Boxing and
I’m sure that his teacher individualized what he was taught as well. Adaptation and individualization are
the nature of martial arts and can be seen in many different styles and systems. Even students with the
same teacher will often have very different expressions of their arts.
Another factor that leads me to believe Elbow Boxing may have come from the same source as 52
Blocks and Jailhouse Rock is the culture and secrecy surrounding these arts. 52 Blocks and Jailhouse
Rock have deep roots in African American culture and for the most part are kept very secret. Likewise,
when I was taught Elbow Boxing, it was always kept under wraps and not displayed in the open. Vic told
me that when he first learned Elbow Boxing, he was advised by his teacher to only teach African
Americans. Regardless of the similarities and differences, the bottom line is if you are learning a fighting
system to protect yourself and survive in prison, you are probably not too concerned with the names or
titles, as long as it works!

Isn’t Elbow Boxing just basic Muay Thai?

Although there are many similarities between elbow boxing techniques, and Muay Thai techniques, there
are several distinct differences between these two fighting arts. First, an Elbow Boxer uses his elbows in
the same manner as a western boxer uses his hands. He jabs, throws rapid combinations of elbow strikes,
and uses his elbows for defense and limb destructions.
The second difference lies in the primary intent of both fighting arts. While no one would argue the
brutal effectiveness of Muay Thai, or dispute its battlefield origins, it is currently practiced as a sport with
a focus on winning competition. Elbow Boxing on the other hand, was never a sport. It was developed as a
means of survival in an environment where extreme violence is a way of life. It is focused on destroying
an attacker in the most efficient manner possible. There are no rules and no such thing as dirty fighting
to the elbow boxer.
Finally, while Elbow Boxing has been influenced by Muay Thai and does contain some of the same
elbow fighting techniques, the strategies, principles, and applications often differ. This is extremely
common in the martial arts. For example, you may see a front kick in both Japanese Karate and Chinese
Kung-Fu, but this does not mean the two arts are in essence the same art.
“You can’t just walk in and elbow someone, you’ll get your head knocked off!”
I laugh when I have received these comments. Of course, you’re not going to just walk straight into
someone in a fight and try elbow strike them. People who make this statement are missing the point of
Elbow Boxing. First, fights often start with an aggressor getting up close in your face to intimidate you.
This automatically puts you in the range for elbow strikes. Second, it is common in a fight for the person
who is getting the worst end of striking to try and grab the opponent to prevent them from punching. This
clinch position is also the realm where Elbow Boxing techniques thrive.
As I have said before, Elbow Boxing is a complete system that uses hand techniques, kicks, joint
locks, grappling, and weapons. Elbow techniques are the core of the system. They are the glue that
connects all of the other elements. Remember that Elbow Boxing was developed in a confined
environment where space is normally limited. Saying that Elbow Boxing is useless because you will get
hit trying to enter and use it is like saying a knife is useless because you will get shot trying to use it. Any
technique or strategy must be used in the proper context. Elbow Boxing is no different.

Balancing the Elbow Boxing Mindset

I believe it is important to discuss the mindset of Elbow Boxing and how it must be balanced for the
common practitioner. Since Elbow Boxing originated in an extremely violent environment, it has a very
serious and combative mindset. For the Elbow Boxer there is no playing around. Your goal is to hurt your
opponent bad and take him out as quickly as possible. In fact, the more you damage and humiliate your
opponent, the better because you will send a message to others that you should not be messed with.
I remember my instructor telling me that if someone challenges you or wants to test your skills and
you can’t walk away, you have to hurt them. He said that if you go easy on them, they will not get the
message and they will continue to test you or worse yet, you will get hurt. The elbow boxer never seeks
trouble or shows off his skills, but if he has to use them, he goes all out with one goal only, to annihilate
the enemy and survive the incident.
The problem for the average person who wants to learn Elbow Boxing for self-defense is that it is not
good to live your life in a constant state of aggression. For most of us, there is not the potential threat of
an attack waiting for us around every corner. As martial artists, most of us are also concerned with the
spiritual and moral side of our lives in addition to the fighting arts. Ultimately there needs to be a balance
between being a kind, peaceful human being who avoids conflict at all costs, and being able to switch on
aggressive killer instinct when the situation requires it.
As you study Elbow Boxing, be sure to balance your training with relaxation, meditation, and
breathing exercises. This has been a common theme among warriors throughout history. The famous
Japanese sword master Miyamoto Musashi who fought in over sixty duels to the death, balanced his killer
instinct with painting, writing, and meditation.
The Elbow Boxer avoids conflict at all times and lives a life of peace and kindness. He is a spiritual
person who seeks to help others. However, he is also capable of extreme violence if needed to protect
himself or his loved ones. If you don’t take the time to balance yourself, you risk becoming too aggressive
or too weak. In a later chapter we will discuss the proper mindset for Elbow Boxing in more detail.

Make Elbow Boxing Your Own

Elbow Boxing is not a rigid or static martial art. It is alive. It is constantly evolving and is unique to each
practitioner. Because Elbow Boxing can be integrated into any fighting system, and most practitioners
have previous experience in other martial arts when they start studying Elbow Boxing, it is not
uncommon to see variations in style. For example, a person with experience in Tae Kwon Do or Karate
might utilize more kicking techniques with their elbow boxing system than a person with a Boxing or Kali
background. Although there are certain principles in Elbow Boxing which should be adhered to, feel free
to adapt the techniques and methods of Elbow Boxing to fit your own style and body structure.
 Elbow Boxing and Boxing
Range Factor and Transitions
Since its origin, Elbow Boxing has been blended with western boxing skills. This comes as no
surprise considering that variations of standard boxing are widely known and commonly used in street
fighting and fights in a prison environment. In fact, boxing, and Elbow Boxing work so well together that
it is hard to separate the two. They go together like bread and butter. In this chapter we look at how
Elbow Boxing techniques are often blended with standard boxing skills.

Basic Boxing Hand Techniques

There are five basic boxing techniques that we will discuss in this chapter. You will immediately notice
that they are almost identical in application to the basic Elbow Boxing techniques you learned in, The
Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing . As we have previously discussed, an elbow boxer uses his elbows in
the same manner that a boxer uses his hands. This is another reason why these techniques blend
together so well. The five basic boxing techniques are as follows.
1) Jab
2) Cross
3) Hook (Lead or Rear)
4) Uppercut (Lead or Rear)
5) Overhand
Now we will look at each of these techniques in detail compared to their Elbow Boxing counter parts.
Then we will provide examples of how to integrate these techniques together. I will assume that you have
read The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing and will not repeat basic information covered in that book such as
the fighting postures and footwork.

The Jab
The jab is often considered to be the primary tool that a boxer possesses. It is used to disrupt the
opponent, keep him at bay, and set up other strikes. The jab should be executed with a focus on speed
rather than power, however a proper jab can cause significant damage.
Most elbow boxers fight with their strong side forward to achieve more power in their lead strikes.
This is referred to in boxing as “south paw”. You should always practice techniques on both sides of the
body, but feel free to fight from which ever posture you are most comfortable with. All of the instructions
and photographs in the book will show the techniques with the right side forward. If you prefer to fight
with your left side forward, just reverse everything. The below photographs show the jab in comparison to
its Elbow Boxing counterpart the lead elbow.

The Boxing Jab

To throw a jab, start from a boxer’s posture with your hands up to protect your head and your arms in
tight to cover the body. Shoot the jab straight forward without moving any other part of your body. This is
vital to prevent telegraphing the strike. As the jab has begun moving forward, step forward with your lead
leg. Your fist rotates so your palm is facing towards the ground as the punch lands. Stay relaxed and
tighten your fight just before contact is made with the target. The jab should land just slightly before your
lead foot lands on the ground from your forward step.
The jab should be immediately retracted along the same path it traveled to the target. A good habit
when you practice is to try and make the motion of the jab returning faster than the motion of the initial
strike. You can practice the retraction of the jab by extending your arm fully as if you just threw the jab
and then rapidly retracting your arm. The jab can also be doubled up and thrown in rapid succession just
like elbow strikes are often doubled up on. It is a good habit to practice throwing out a jab from whatever
position your arm may be in without pulling the arm back first. The below photos show the boxing jab
being executed.

The Elbow Boxing Jab

The Elbow Boxing jab follows the same general guidelines as the boxing jab. From a fighting posture,
shoot the lead elbow straight out to the target. The arm remains relatively vertical as the strike is
delivered. As with the boxing jab, the shoulders and hips add power to the strike. The elbow is
immediately retracted and you recover back to the fighting posture. It is important to note that the Elbow
Boxing jab is not an upward strike, it travels straight to the target. Obviously, you may need to strike
slightly upward or downward depending on the height of your opponent, but the trajectory of the strike is
straight in and straight back. This technique is also called a lead elbow strike. Usually when the jab is
refered to as a lead elbow, it is being used more to push an opponent back or to create distance during a
clinch. The jabbing version is used in a rapid fire manner to set up other strikes.

The Cross
The cross is the power shot in boxing. It is thrown with your rear hand and will normally be your
knockout blow because of the power it can generate. The cross is almost always thrown in combinations.
The Elbow Boxing counterpart is the rear elbow strike which is also often called a cross. The below
descriptions and photos show the boxing cross compared to the rear elbow cross.

The Boxing Cross

To execute a cross from a boxer’s posture, shoot the rear punch straight to the target without
telegraphing. Keep your lead hand up to protect your head. Your chin is tucked into the shoulder for
protection, but don’t hunch your body over. As the cross is thrown, rotate your hips and shoulders to
generate power. Your fist should tighten up just slightly before impacting the target. Immediately retract
the cross back along the same path it travelled to the target.

The Elbow Boxing Cross (Rear Elbow)

The Elbow Boxing cross is executed in the same manner as the boxing cross. Rotate the waist and
shoulders as you shoot the rear elbow straight to the target. As with the jab, keep the arm fairly vertical
throughout the movement. It is ok to allow the arm to bend slightly, but too much bend will cause the
elbow strike to travel upwards instead of straight forwards. Recover quickly after the strike.
This technique will usually be executed with a forward step. Ideally, the strike will land a fraction of
a second before your weight transfers to the lead foot. It is important to stress that the rear elbow cross
is a straight attack and not an upward elbow strike. It travels in a straight path to the target just like the
boxer’s cross. Remember to keep your hands up to protect your head and body as you execute the elbow
strike.
 The Hook (Lead or Rear)
The hook punch is another powerful blow that can be delivered with the lead hand or the rear hand. The
beauty of the hook is that it travels around an opponent’s guard and strikes the target at an angle. It is
usually thrown to the jaw or body of the opponent. The counterpart of the hook punch in Elbow Boxing is
the round elbow strike which is also often called a hook.

The Boxing Hook (Lead Hand)

To execute a hook punch, turn your hips and shoulders towards the target just slightly before you launch
the strike. Your arm is bent with your elbow held down slightly. The strike travels in a circular path to the
target. Tighten your fist just before the hook hits the opponent. Your legs and hips are extremely
important for generating power in the hook punch. Bend your knees and push off of the floor with your
feet for power. You should also lead the hook slightly with a rotation of the hips. Practice on a heavy bag
until you start to feel your power develop.

The Elbow Boxing Hook/Round Elbow (Lead)

To execute the round elbow with the lead arm, rotate your elbow up and forward as you turn your
shoulder and hips into the strike. The round elbow travels in a small hooking motion straight to the
target. Your forearm is parallel to the floor throughout the technique. It is important to keep your hands
up and your chin tucked as you deliver the strike. Immediately recover to a fighting posture.

The Boxing Hook (Rear Hand)

The rear hook is an extremely powerful blow that can be used to knock out an opponent. From a boxing
posture with your knees slightly bent, rotate the rear shoulder and hip towards the target as you throw
the hook punch with your rear hand. Keep your elbow down slightly as you execute the hook and strike
through the intended target. Stepping forward and offline slightly can add additional power to the hook
punch.
The Elbow Boxing Hook/Round Elbow (Rear)
From a fighting posture, rotate your rear arm forward as you strike with a round elbow. Keep the forearm
parallel to the ground as you execute the strike. As with the boxing hook punch, you must use your hips
and shoulder to generate power in the attack. The round elbow is often doubled up and works very well in
combination with other techniques. One notable difference between the boxing hook and the Elbow
Boxing hook is the fact that elbow hooks are seldom thrown to the body. By contrast, traditional boxing
hook punches are very effective when thrown to the opponent’s body.

The Uppercut (Lead or Rear)

The uppercut is a powerful blow that travels in an upward vertical line to the target. Uppercuts are
normally thrown to the opponent’s chin but can also be thrown to the body as well. They are extremely
effective when the opponent lowers his head as he comes into attack. Like the cross and hook, the
uppercut can be thrown with both the lead and rear hand. The elbow boxing counterpart is the upward
elbow strike which is also referred to as an uppercut. The below descriptions show the lead and rear
uppercut compared to the Elbow Boxing lead and rear uppercut. As you study these movements, pay
close attention to the similarities between the boxing and Elbow Boxing strikes. This will be a key element
when we blend the two systems together.

The Boxing Uppercut (Rear and Lead)

To execute an uppercut, bend your knees and drop your shoulder slightly. Keep your upper body erect as
you push upward with your feet to generate power. Drive the uppercut punch straight up to the target as
your body rises. In some cases, you may actually rise up on your toes for additional power as the blow
lands. Be sure to keep the movements tight. Uppercut through the target, but don’t overextend too much
and leave yourself open to a counterattack. The movements are generally the same for both the lead and
rear uppercut.
In the below pictures, the fighter bends his knees and drops his body weight slightly as he prepares
to launch the uppercut strike with his rear hand. He then straightens his legs and rises up as he executes
the uppercut strike up through the target. He then repeats the same movements with the lead hand.
The Elbow Boxing Uppercut/Upward Elbow (Rear and Lead)
From a fighting posture, bend your knees slightly and drop your body weight. Next, straighten your legs
as you rise up and deliver an upward elbow strike. Notice how the arm stays close to your head to protect
against an incoming attack from your opponent. The below pictures show the upward elbow strike being
done first with the rear elbow and then with the lead.

The Overhand
The overhand strike is thrown with the rear hand and is designed to come in over the top of your
opponent’s guard. It is an extremely powerful blow because of the wind up and momentum it gathers as it
travels to the target. It is also very deceptive and can be difficult for the opponent to see coming. The
overhand can be thrown at close range, or from a distance with proper footwork. The counterpart in
Elbow Boxing is the diagonal elbow strike. The below descriptions show the boxing overhand in
comparison to the diagonal elbow strike.

The Boxing Overhand

To execute the overhand strike, step in with your lead foot at a slight angle to the opponent as you bring
the punch in with a slight arc to the target. Bend your knees, turn your waist, and drop your body weight
as you land the shot to ensure power in the blow. The overhand should be used sparingly and with
caution. If it is telegraphed or sloppy, the opponent can easily counter as you enter.
The Elbow Boxing Diagonal Elbow Strike
The diagonal elbow strike is one of the most powerful techniques in Elbow Boxing. Just like the overhand
in boxing, it travels over the top of the opponent’s guard in a downward diagonal trajectory. It is normally
thrown to the opponent’s head or temple but can be used effectively to other targets as well.

The Rule of Three

There is a rule in Elbow Boxing that you never throw less than three strikes. Because Elbow Boxing has
an aggressive survival mind set, your goal is to quickly overpower the opponent and keep him on the
defense. The best way to do this is with a flury of rapid attacks. It is much harder to defend against
combinations of attacks than it is to stop one blow. When you train, get in the habit of never using less
than three strikes.
The rule of three also applies to defensive skills. Never use more than three defensive techniques
without launching a counter attack. It is a fact that when your opponent gets the upperhand and puts you
on the defense, it is very difficult to regain the advantage. If you are spending your energy defending and
not attacking, you are losing the fight.

Combinations
Now that we have looked at the basic hand techniques of boxing compared to their counterparts in
Elbow Boxing, we can start to see how common combinations can be translated between the two arts.
When you start to think of Elbow Boxing on a basic level as simply “boxing with your elbows”, you will
instantly see how your combinations can be blended together. To illustrate this point, we will first look at
five basic boxing combinations following the rule of three.

Five Basic Boxing Combinations

1) Jab-Cross-Lead Hook
2) Lead Uppercut-Cross-Lead Hook
3) Lead Hook-Cross-Lead Hook
4) Jab-Cross-Uppercut
5) Jab-Overhand-Uppercut
Simple enough right? Now lets look at the exact same combinations with the elbows.

Five Basic Elbow Boxing Combinations

1) Lead Elbow-Rear Elbow (Cross)-Round Elbow (Hook)
2) Upward Elbow-Rear Elbow (Cross)-Round Elbow (Hook)
3) Round Elbow (Hook)-Rear Elbow (Cross)-Round Elbow
4) Lead Elbow-Rear Elbow (Cross)-Upward Elbow
5) Lead Elbow-Diagonal Elbow-Upward Elbow
When you practice these combinations, you will quickly feel that the body mechanics are almost
identical. The only difference is the weapon you are deploying, a fist or an elbow. Once you become
proficient in executing these separate combinations, blend them together into combinations of boxing and
elbows. Below are five possibilities.

Combinations of Elbow Boxing Blended with Boxing

 1) Jab-Cross-Lead Round Elbow
2) Upward Elbow-Cross-Lead Hook
3) Lead Hook-Cross-Lead Round Elbow
4) Overhand-Uppercut-Diagonal Elbow
5) Jab-Cross-Lead Upward Elbow
We will now look at each of these combinations in detail.

Technique #1- Jab-Cross-Lead Round Elbow

The elbow boxer shoots a jab in between the opponent’s guard. He immediately follows with a cross to
the opponent’s jaw as he closes the distance. He finishes with a lead round elbow strike to the jaw. From
this position the elbow boxer can continue to throw a flury of elbow strikes to completely overwhelm the
opponent.

Technique #2- Upward Elbow-Cross-Lead Hook

This combination begins at close range with an explosive upward elbow strike. As the opponent’s body
moves back from the impact of the blow, the elbow boxer drives a cross in to his jaw, followed by a lead
hook punch to the chin. The backwards momentum of the opponent’s body in this scenario dictates the
follow up with boxing hand strikes. From the final hook punch, the distance can be closed and additional
elbow strikes can be utilized.
Technique #3- Lead Hook-Cross-Lead Round Elbow
This combination begins with a lead hook punch to the opponent’s jaw followed by a cross. The elbow
boxer then steps in to close the distance and delivers a lead round elbow strike to the opponent’s jaw.

Technique #4- Overhand-Uppercut-Diagonal Elbow

In this series of techniques, the elbow boxer throws an overhand strike over the opponent’s guard. He
follows up with a lead uppercut and finishes the combination with a diagonal elbow strike. The key with
all of these combinations is executing a non-stop attack against the opponent and not giving him the
ability to recover or go on the offense against you. One of the best pieces of advice for fighting that I ever
got came from my amature boxing coach back in the early nineties. He said when the bell rings, don’t
stop punching until the bell rings again. The same philosophy holds true in Elbow Boxing where the goal
is survival. If you find yourself in a self-defense situation, don’t stop striking until the threat has been
eliminated.
Technique #5- Jab-Cross-Lead Upward Elbow
In this combination, you attack with a jab followed by a cross. The combination ends with a lead upward
elbow strike. It is important in all of your combinations to keep your hands up to protect your head and
your arms in to cover your body. You must also stay mobile on your feet. A moving target is much harder
to hit than a stationary one. In addition, proper footwork helps to increase the power in your strikes.
When you keep moving, you keep the opponent guessing and make your techniques unpredictable. The
jab and cross combination are excellent techniques to preceed other Elbow Boxing attacks because they
can stun the opponent and help you close the distance rapidly. The below series of photos show this
combination in action.
These are just a few examples of how you can mix and blend Elbow Boxing techniques with boxing hand
strikes. They flow together like pieces of a puzzle. The combinations are almost limitless. Because of the
difference in range for an Elbow Boxing technique verses a boxing technique, you must adapt your strikes
to fit the situation. We will now look at the range factor in more detail.

The Range Factor and Gauging Distance

Once you are comfortable with the integration of boxing and Elbow Boxing strikes, you must take into
account the range factor. Obviously your arms are longer than your elbows, which means that
combinations you use in an encounter will depend on where the opponent is and the actions he is taking
against you. For example, if the opponent is charging in as you throw a combination of attacks, your first
strike might be a jab followed by a shorter strike such as a hook when the attacker continues to advance.
Your third strike might be an elbow attack as the distance between you decreases more. By contrast, the
encounter might start at close range with the attacker grabbing you. Your initial strike in this case might
be an elbow attack. As the attacker retreats or is knocked backwards, your combinations require longer
attacks such as boxing strikes or kicks. Because real life encounters are dynamic, the range can change
instantly. You must train, drill, and practice sparring with variations of ranges so that you have the ability
to instantly adapt to the situation with no concious thought. The following are the basic possibilities of the
range factor that can during an encounter.
1) Range Decreases
2) Range Increases
3) Range Stays Consistant
4) Range Fluctuates

Range Decreases
This factor usually occurs when you are closing the distance or the opponent is charging in on you. In this
case, you may or may not have an opportunity to throw a kick or long range hand strike before you are
being grabbed. When this occurs, hook punches, uppercuts, and your Elbow Boxing skills will be your
primary tools. You will need to be able defend against possible takedowns and use the environment such
as a wall, cars, tables, to your advantage. This range factor occurs often against a grappler or clinch
fighter.

Range Increases
This situation normally occurs when the opponent tries to escape or break away because they are more
comfortable at long range. You will see this happen against kickers or people who are very afraid of
getting hit. In this case, if the encounter starts with the person in your face, your elbow strikes and short
range hand techniques will be your initial attack. Employ longer shots as they break away. Keep in mind
the aggressive mentality of Elbow Boxing and don’t let them create distance. Remember that they are
probably breaking away because they are uncomfortable at close range. Make them uncomfortable.
Always make the opponent fight your fight.

Range Stays Consistant

This scenario rarely happens in a real encounter. Typically, the range will only remain consistant if both
fighters choose for this to happen. We see this in competitions where the fighters are feeling each other
out, are tired, or are conserving their energy for future rounds. Because you don’t have this luxury in a
street fight, the range usually changes quickly.
The only exception to this on the street is when both fighters don’t really want to fight or are afraid
to close the distance. This will usually be accompanied by verbal banter. This could also occur if both
fighters are armed with some type of weapon such as a bottle or a stick and they are looking for an
opportunity to enter and strike the opponent without being injured themselves.
Unfortunately most violent encounters involve ambush, sucker punches, and multiple opponents. If
the range stays consistent it is the exception rather than the rule.

Range Fluctuates
Fluctuation of range is the most common occurrence in an encounter and it usually happens extremely
quick. The attacker may run towards his opponent from across the street, they exchange a few blows and
someone falls or is taken to the ground. From the ground, someone could break away, get to their feet
and run or create distance for strikes. Depending on luck and the skill of those involved, the encounter
could end in any of these ranges. Because range fluctuation is the most common, you must have the tools
to deal with any range that occurs. If you think of these tools as beads on a necklace, Elbow Boxing is the
string that threads those beads. A critical component of dealing with the range factor in a fight is the
ability to transition smoothly between long, medium, and short range movements.

Transitional Movement
We have looked at combinations, blending combinations, and the range factor, now we will examine
transitional movements. I believe this is one of the true beauties of the mixture of Elbow Boxing and
traditional boxing. A transitional movement is a technique that is delivered and then flows directly into
another attack, usually along the same line. There is no break in the movement or momentum of the
strike. The following are a few examples of this.
1) Lead Hook into Round Elbow
2) Uppercut into Upward Elbow
3) Overhand into Diagonal Elbow
4) Reverse Elbow into Forearm Strike
5) Downward Elbow into Hammerfist

Lead Hook into Round Elbow

The lead hook punch transitions very nicely into the round elbow strike. To execute this transition, begin
by throwing the lead hook to the opponent’s chin. As the punch strikes through the target, flow directly
into the round elbow strike with no break in the motion between the two techniques. The rotation of your
hips and shoulders plus the transfer of your body weight are essential for the proper power and flow of
this technique. The below photographs show this transition in action. Even if the hook punch where to
miss the target, you can still flow directly into the round elbow strike. Keep in mind that you should
continue to follow up with addition strikes as needed to stop your opponent.
Uppercut into Upward Elbow
In this transition, the elbow boxer throws a lead uppercut to the opponent’s chin. A s the uppercut passes
through the target, the elbow boxer enters in and immediately flows into an upward elbow strike. Again,
the transition between the two techniques is seamless. Even if the uppercut misses the target, the elbow
strike immediately follows. The below pictures show this transition in motion. As you can see from the
final picture, the elbow boxer is in a perfect position to follow up with a cross or other hand and elbow
strikes as needed. When you train these techniques in sparring or on a heavy bag, make sure that there is
no break in motion or hesitation between the strikes.

Overhand into Diagonal Elbow

Begin this transition by throwing an overhand strike over the opponent’s guard. Continue to close the
distance and flow directly into a diagonal elbow strike. At this point you should have a clear
understanding of the concept behind this principle. You are using your longer weapon, which in this case
is the boxing technique, for the initial strike. You are then flowing directly into the Elbow Boxing
technique that is the counterpart. Even if your first strike lands solid and is halted by the impact, you will
continue to flow directly to the counterpart strike. This transition is shown below.
Reverse Elbow into Forearm Strike
The reverse elbow strike can transition nicely into several techniques such as a backfist or a forearm
strike. It generates a tremendous amount of power and can be used to hook the opponent’s neck to sweep
him, or force him into the path of other attackers. In the below photographs, the elbow boxer checks an
attempted body strike and delivers a reverse elbow to the attacker’s temple. He immediately flows into a
forearm strike to the neck. From this position he can control the opponent or follow up with additional
striking combinations.

Downward Elbow into Hammer Fist

In this last transition we will look at, the elbow boxer stops an attempted takedown by jamming the
opponent’s head and executing a dropping elbow to the back of his neck. He immediately flows into a
hammerfist strike to the base of the skull as he breaks away from the opponent.

We have covered a lot of territory in this chapter and looked at the tools and concepts you can use to
incorporate boxing skills into your Elbow Boxing arsenal. We have also discussed the range factor and the
use of transitional techniques. In the next chapter we will look at some additional hand techniques and
how to blend them with your Elbow Boxing to further enhance your offensive skills.
 Martial Arts Hand Skills
Elbow Boxing has been heavily influenced by the Asian Martial Arts and some of the best hand
techniques from Kung-Fu and Karate have been incorporated into the Elbow Boxing system. In the same
manner that boxing techniques were blended with Elbow Boxing in the last chapter, we will now look at
six hand techniques from the martial arts that have become an integral part of Elbow Boxing.
Sifu Vic Butler incorporated these techniques primarily from Japanese Karate and the Chinese Kung-
Fu systems of Wing Chun, and Bak Mei (White Eyebrow). The close-range techniques from these arts
blend very well with the skills and strategies of Elbow Boxing. The primary benefit of using these hand
techniques is the fact that they were designed specifically for self-defense and are used to attack the
vulnerable areas of the body such as the throat, eyes, and temple. These six hand techniques are listed
below.
1) Backfist
2) Hammer Fist
3) Phoenix Eye
4) Tiger’s Mouth
5) Finger Jab
6) Palm Strike

The Backfist
The backfist strike is a deceptive attack that travels in the opposite trajectory of a hook punch and is
usually thrown to the opponent’s face or temple area. In the beginning stages, start from a boxer’s
posture and bend your arm in slightly to cock the fist. Then shoot the backfist strike straight to the target
from the cocked position. As your skills increase, you should ty to shoot the backfist out straight to the
target without cocking the arm first and snap it at the last second before impact. This will make the strike
more deceptive by causing the opponent to believe a jab is coming in. The below photos show the backfist
in motion from the cocked position. I recommend throwing several jabs when you practice and then
inserting the backfist in randomly with your jabs. A key principle of Elbow Boxing is to not waste
movement or telegraph your intentions. One method of using this principle with a backfist strike is to
launch the attack directly from the position you find yourself in. For example, you throw a hook punch or
round elbow strike that misses the target, now your hand is already cocked and ready for the backfist
strike.

The Hammer Fist

The Hammer fist strike is a powerful blow that is delivered with the meaty bottom of the fist. It is often
executed to the opponent’s chin, temple, or neck and unlike some other strikes, has little risk of injury to
your hand. Just like the backfist strike, we will begin by cocking the arm inward slightly before the
hammer fist is delivered. Then after you have become proficient with the technique, the cocking
movement will be minimized and the attack will appear almost like a jab when initiated. With sufficient
training you will be able to generate tremendous power with the hammer fist strike with very little
movement of the arm. The below pictures show the hammer fist being delivered. Again, economy of
motion is essential. The hammer fist is a great attack to use after an inside parry, or immediately
following a hook punch.

The Phoenix Eye

The phoenix eye strike is an often overlooked technique that can be very powerful for striking the
opponent’s vital areas. The technique comes from the Bak Mei (White Eyebrow) style of Kung-Fu and is
named after the mythological bird like creature that if killed, is instantly born again. When I was studying
Elbow Boxing and other martial arts under my teacher Vic Butler, he would demonstrate the phoenix eye
strike by punching a dime size hole in the wall of our training area. Once I felt the strike, I knew that it
was a powerful tool to develop. To form the phoenix eye fist, extend your index finger knuckle as you
make a tight fist with the rest of your hand. Your thumb tucks in tightly against the fingernail area of your
index finger to support the knuckle. The below picture shows the formation of phoenix eye fist.

The Phoenix Eye Fist

When attacking with the phoenix eye, the extended knuckle of your index finger is the striking
surface. This technique does require some conditioning and should be trained against a heavy bag and on
a sand bag until you can comfortably deliver a solid strike with no discomfort. The knuckle of your index
finger will eventually develop a callus. The goal is to condition the knuckle just enough to allow for a
proper strike. Do not condition your phoenix eye fist to the point where you feel discomfort, damage or
disfigure your hand.
The targets that you will strike when using this technique are soft tissue areas and vital spots that
will be damaged by the penetration of the knuckle. Think of the phoenix eye strike as an arrow as
opposed to a hammer. It is used for surgical attacks to specific target areas. The below photographs show
the phoenix eye strike being executed.

The Tiger’s Mouth

The tiger’s mouth strike is a great technique that is usually used to attack an opponent’s throat and
control their neck or limbs. It travels straight to the target with the hand opened in a shape similar to if
you were holding a cup or a waterbottle. The fingers and thumb are tensed as you deliver the blow and
impact is made with the inside palm area of the hand. Once contact is made, the thumb and fingers
normally grab although the technique can be used as a simple strike as well. The below photos show the
tiger’s mouth strike. In the pictures it is thrown with the lead hand but keep in mind that the technique
can be delivered with the rear hand as well.

The Finger Jab

The finger jab is probably the most common self-defense technique next to a groin kick. It is lightning fast
and is executed almost identical to the boxing jab with the exception that your fingers are extended and
held rigid to attack the opponent’s eyes. As you jab the eyes, tuck your thumb in to support the hand and
slightly separate your index and middle finger from your ring and pinky finger. This “Mr. Spock” hand will
allow the strike to avoid the opponent’s nose and penetrate the eyes easier.
In all of the techniques we have discussed, quick recovery is a vital component. Make sure that your
hand returns to the ready position as quickly as it travelled out for the attack. The beauty of this
technique is that it can be used in conjunction with our next technique, the palm strike. For example, you
drive a palm heel into the opponent’s chin and as it impacts, rake the fingers into their eyes. You can also
jab the eyes first and then use the palm to drive the opponent’s head back into an object such as a wall. If
you miss the eyes with the fingers, you can at least impact with the palm. In many cases, the palm strike
and fingers in the eyes can be executed simultaneously in one simple movement. The below series of
photos show the finger jab attack.

Palm Strike
The palm strike is a very powerful and versatile technique to use in a self-defense situation. Because
there are many tiny bones in the hand, strikes with a closed fist can sometimes result in your hand being
broken. By using a palm strike to attack the opponent you can avoid this from occuring. One effective use
of the palm strike is to control the opponent’s head or chin as you strike.
The open palm is also extremely effective for slapping strikes that can stun an opponent. Open hand
palm strikes to the ear can disrupt the ear drum and cause an opponent to lose their balance. I have also
seen slapping attacks used to humiliate and defeat a lesser skilled opponent without causing damage
from closed fist strikes.
Finally, as we noted above, the palm strike works very well in conjunction with a finger jab. To
execute a simple palm strike, drive your hand straight out and bend your hand at the wrist so that you
make contact to the target with the bottom edge of your palm. The below photos show two possible
applications of a palm strike. In the first photo, the elbow boxer slips inside of the opponent’s lead punch
and executes a slapping palm strike to the side of his head and ear. In the second photo, the elbow boxer
checks the opponent’s lead arm and drives a straight palm strike to the opponent’s chin.

Combinations of Elbow Boxing and Hand Techniques

In the same manner that we blended the boxing skills with Elbow Boxing techniques to form
combinations, we will now do the same with these hand techniques. The following examples show how all
of the techniques you have learned can be blended together to form a solid upperbody fighting system.
After you master these examples, experiment with other combinations of your own.
1) Palm-Cross-Lead Round Elbow-Diagonal Elbow
2) Lead Hook-Round Elbow-Back Fist-Cross-Lead Elbow
3) Phoenix Eye-Uppercut-Diagonal Elbow-Lead Round Elbow
4) Lead Elbow-Tiger’s Mouth-Cross-Hook
5) Hammerfist-Lead Round Elbow-Cross-Uppercut
Let’s break down each of these combinations in detail.

Palm Strike-Cross-Lead Round Elbow-Diagonal Elbow

In this first combination, the elbow boxer executes a palm heel to the chin of his opponent to drive his
head backwards. He then executes a cross to the chin followed by a lead round elbow strike. He finishes
the opponent with a diagonal elbow strike to the temple. The whole combination is executed in less than
two seconds with the elbow boxer closing the distance on the last two strikes.

Lead Hook-Round Elbow-Back Fist-Cross-Lead Elbow

This combination begins with a Lead hook punch to the opponent’s jaw that immediately transitions into a
round elbow strike. The elbow boxer then flows into a backfist strike to the head followed by a cross. He
finishes the combination with a lead elbow to the opponent’s throat or chin. The key to all of these
combinations is the ability to seamlessly flow from one technique to another with little to no interruption
of movement. When you shadow spar, make an effort to practice continuous chains of attack and defense
for a period of time with no break in movement.
Phoenix Eye-Uppercut-Diagonal Elbow-Lead Round Elbow
This sequence begins with the elbow boxer taking the initiative and checking the opponent’s lead hand as
he executes a phoenix eye strike to his eye. He then bends his knees and rises up to deliver a lead
uppercut to the opponent’s chin. Closing into elbow range, the elbow boxer finishes his opponent with a
diagonal elbow followed by a round elbow strike. These attacks happen in rapid combination with
constant pressure on the opponent.

Lead Elbow-Tiger’s Mouth-Cross-Hook

As the opponent approaches the elbow boxer and tries to get in his face, he hits him with a lead elbow
strike which jolts him back. He immediately brings his hand down and drives a tiger’s mouth strike to his
throat followed by a cross to the jaw. He finishes his opponent with a lead hook punch to the chin. It is
important to note how the tiger’s mouth strike can be used to strike the throat or to drive the opponent
back, smash his head into a wall, and to set him up for other strikes. The initial reaction a person
normally has when their throat is grabbed is to try and grab the attacker’s arm that is gripping their
throat. If the opponent does this, both of his hands will be tied up and you have the opportunity to deliver
power shots to finish him. When using the tiger’s mouth, you should also be aware of when to release
your grip and follow up with other attacks or disengage.
Hammerfist-Lead Round Elbow-Cross-Uppercut
For this final combination, the elbow boxer strikes with a hammerfist to the opponent’s jaw. He then
executes a lead round elbow strike followed by a cross. He finishes the combination with a lead uppercut
strike.

You now have the primary boxing hand skills and the most effective martial arts hand techniques to
blend with your Elbow Boxing skills. In order to effectively mix these skills in a fighting situation, the
range factor must become second nature to you. This primarily occurs through sparring with a training
partner who is trying to hit you. After some practice, flowing between these techniques in a fighting
situation will come natural and happen with little to no conscious thought.
 Covers
If you have a military background or an interest in firearms training, you are probably familiar with
the concept of cover and concealment. Basically, concealment hides you from the enemy, but it doesn’t
necessarily protect you from an attack. Cover on the other hand, provides protection from the enemy’s
attack. Similar to this concept, there are specific techniques in Elbow Boxing designed to provide you
protection against an opponent’s strikes. These techniques are called covers.
In this chapter we will break down the primary cover techniques that are used in Elbow Boxing.
These techniques should be added to the other defensive skills you learned in The Brutal Art of Elbow
Boxing . As you study these techniques, keep in mind that evasion is always the best option for defense,
but sometimes the situation will require you to use other defensive methods to protect yourself. In these
cases, covers are extremely useful.

Diagonal Cover (Front)

The diagonal cover is a signature technique of elbow boxing that has numerous applications. It can be
performed with open hands or with the hands clenched into fists. The primary goal of the diagonal cover
is to protect the head from attack, but it is also used to deliver attacks, trap an opponent’s limbs, deflect
strikes, and for limb destruction.
To execute the diagonal cover from a boxer’s posture, bring the lead elbow in front of the face with
the forearm covering your chin. Your rear hand comes up and covers your temple and forehead. As you
perform the diagonal cover, keep your eyes on the opponent through the small gap between your
forearms. In the immortal words of Bruce Lee, “Never take your eyes off of your opponent, even when you
bow!”
The transition from your fighting posture to the cover is very quick. You should also avoid holding the
diagonal cover for very long. Use it to stop an attack, strike a limb, or trap and then recover quickly to
your fighting posture. Holding the cover beyond its intended use will leave you open for follow up attacks
to the body and ribs. This holds true for all of the covers we will discuss. The below photographs show the
diagonal cover from the boxer’s posture.

Diagonal Cover (Rear)

The diagonal cover can also be executed with the rear elbow forward. The movement is performed exactly
like the front diagonal cover with the main difference being a strong rotation of the hips to turn the rear
elbow forward. In an actual situation, you might transition instantly between both the front and rear
diagonal covers as the opponent throws several strikes at you.
As you practice these covering techniques, keep in mind the offensive mindset of Elbow Boxing and
the rule of three. Never block or defend more than three times without counter attacking. It is important
to not think of the covers as static postures. You will flow into strikes, counters, covers, and other
techniques as you move and engage with the opponent. Don’t make the mistake of thinking of the cover
techniques as purely defensive in nature, or that you simply hold them to absorb blows from the
opponent. Remember the offensive mindset of Elbow Boxing.

Diagonal Cover Application

As I mentioned above, the diagonal cover has many applications. In the below example, it is used to stop
incoming punches from the opponent. As the opponent strikes with a jab and cross combination, the
elbow boxer uses a front diagonal cover to stop the jab followed by a rear diagonal cover against the
cross. The diagonal covers protect his head and cause the opponent’s punches to hit his elbows as they
come in. The elbow boxer then goes on the attack with a jab of his own followed by a diagonal elbow
strike.

In the below example the elbow boxer intercepts a wide punch with a finger strike to the eyes. This strike
causes the opponent to tilt his head back exposing his throat. The elbow boxer delivers a round elbow
strike from the rear to his jaw or throat while maintaining cover with his lead arm. Notice the final
position is the diagonal cover.

The below photographs show one more application of the diagonal cover. As the opponent throws a cross,
the elbow boxer pivots his body and “pops” the opponent’s elbow joint by trapping his arm between his
chest and forearm while striking just above his elbow joint with his lead forearm. This movement is very
quick and happens almost instantaneously as the opponent’s punch is thrown. He follows up by rolling
into a round elbow strike from the rear.

The above examples show just a few of the many applications of the diagonal cover. As you study these
applications, pay attention to the functionality of this technique and how it can be used both defensively
and offensively and at various ranges. Once mastered, the diagonal cover will be one of most valuable
techniques in your elbow boxing arsenal.

Side Cover
The side cover is used for protecting the body and deflecting incoming attacks to your midsection. From
the boxer’s posture, tuck your chin in deeper and bring your elbows in close to your body. From this
position you can turn your body from side to side to deflect any incoming blows. This technique works
very well with the elbow deflection that was taught in The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing . Depending on the
attack, you might need to bend your legs slightly and suck in your belly as you use the side cover. Be
prepared to launch a counter strike from this position at the instant the opponent’s attack is stopped.

Side Cover Application

In the below example, the opponent is throwing body shots. The elbow boxer tucks his chin and tightens
his elbows in against his body. From this position he can absorb the incoming strikes and deflect with his
elbows by turning his waist side to side. He is in a position to immediately follow up with counter strikes.
In this example he drives in with an upward elbow strike followed by a rear round elbow.
Front Cover (Middle and High)
The front cover is a technique that can be used to stop straight punches and close the distance on the
opponent. I have heard this technique called by several different names over the years including The Wall,
and Closing the Door. It is typically executed with your arms covering the head, chest and solar plexus
area. This is referred to as a middle front cover. The arms can also be raised up against the forehead with
the elbows pointing straight towards the attacker. This is a high front cover. The high front cover will
cause your opponent’s punches to strike your elbows and possibly damage his hands. As with all of your
cover techniques, don’t stay in the cover position long. It is only intended to protect you momentarily
until you can regain the offense and counter attack. While each cover technique protects a certain area of
your body, they also leave other areas exposed. For example, the front cover works well against jabs and
crosses. But it provides no protection against a hook punch. Stay mobile, cover as needed, and get on the
offense. The below photographs show both middle and high versions of the front cover.

From the middle front cover position, roll the arms upward to transition to a high front cover. Practice
transitioning quickly between the middle and high front cover positions.

The front cover is an excellent technique to use for tracing the opponent’s attack back with a counter
strike. Also notice how the hands are held against the forehead as the cover takes place. This prevents
the opponent’s strike from knocking your own fists into your face upon impact. The high front cover can
be used both to damage an opponent’s incoming limb and to provide protection as you enter in to close
range.

Front Cover Application

The below photos show one application of the front cover. When the opponent throws a lead jab, the
elbow boxer “closes the door” and uses a front cover to stop the strike. As the opponent starts to retract
the punch, the elbow boxer immediately attacks with a palm strike to his chin as he checks his lead hand.
From the palm strike, the elbow boxer moves in and delivers an upward elbow strike followed by a rear
round elbow strike to finish the encounter.
Notice that even though the front cover is defensive in nature, the elbow boxer maintains an offensive
attitude and uses constant forward pressure against the opponent throughout the engagement. The
opponent should feel like he is attacking a brick wall that is closing in on him.
High Cover
The high cover is used to protect the face and head against high attacks and strikes such as the overhand
punch. It can also be used to drive into the opponent and force him off balance or open up his lower body
to attack. The high cover can be executed in several different ways but the underlining structure is the
same regardless of the variation that is used.
On a basic level, the front cover looks similar to the high block commonly found in Karate, but rather
than meeting an incoming attack with force, the high cover provides a barrier that absorbs an incoming
attack. There is no chambering movement or blocking action involved.
To perform the high cover, lift your front forearm up just above forehead level. Tuck your chin in, and
drive forward with your body. The rear hand can guard your centerline or be used to reinforce the lead
arm. You can also keep the rear arm in close to your body to provide protection to your ribs. The below
photos show several variations of the high cover.

High Cover Application

In the below series of photos, the elbow boxer uses a high cover to protect himself against an opponent’s
high punch. His rear hand is in a position to help guard the face and reinforce the cover if needed. He
immediately rolls inward from the cover and executes a round elbow strike to the opponent’s jaw followed
by a rear diagonal elbow strike. He can continue to follow up with additional strikes as needed.
Shoulder Roll Cover
The shoulder roll cover is a very effective technique to use when you are caught off guard by the attacker
with your lead hand down. It can also be used to deflect a strike when your lead hand is immobilized by a
grab or trapping movement. To execute the shoulder roll, lean your upperbody back and roll the lead
shoulder forward to deflect an incoming strike to your face. Be sure to tuck your chin and keep your eyes
on the attacker. Be prepared to immediately counter attack and go on the offense. The shoulder roll
should not be considered a primary means of defense, but rather a last resort technique when other
options are not available.
During a fight, you will have to defend yourself from any position you might find yourself in. An
incoming sucker punch that you catch out of the corner of your eye, or a sudden strike delivered from the
opponent as you break from a clinch are all examples of when a shoulder roll might be your only option to
deflect an attack.
Because your lead hand is down as you shoulder roll, you can often generate tremendous power in a
counter strike such as a backfist, hammer fist, or round elbow. As we have discussed, practice exploding
with a counter attack immediately after any cover technique is used. The below photo shows the shoulder
roll cover from a boxer’s posture.

Shoulder Roll Cover Application

The opponent throws a cross at the elbow boxer which he deflects with his lead shoulder by leaning back
slightly and rolling the shoulder blade forward to knock away the punch. His rear hand is held up for
added protection. As the punch is deflected, the elbow boxer brings his lead elbow straight up under the
opponent’s chin and follows with a rear round elbow strike.
Hairbrush Cover
The hairbrush is a technique that gets it’s name from the motion your arm makes as you cover your head.
From a boxer’s posture, your hand gently passes along your forehead and the side of your head in the
exact manner you would use to brush your hair back. The motion ends with your hand covering your ear,
the forearm covering the side of your head, and your elbow pointing forward. The hairbrush cover can be
executed with both the front and rear hands. It is a quick movement with many applications such as
protecting the head, limb destruction and making entry. It can protect you against front strikes as well as
hook punches or other circular attacks that are thrown to your head.
When executing this technique, don’t try to hit your opponent’s fists with your elbows. Your goal is
simply to cover yourself and protect against the attack. If the opponent’s fists run into your elbows and
get damaged in the process, that’s a bonus.
The below photos show the hairbrush cover with both the front and rear hands. Remember when you
are using any cover technique, that your entire body is involved in the motion. It is not just an arm
movement that is being used. Be sure to employ footwork, evasion, shift your body weight and keep
moving. A moving target is much harder to hit.

Hairbrush Cover Applications

The below photographs show the hairbrush cover being used against punches from the front. It is
important to stay mobile and move your upper body out of the line of attack as you execute the hair brush
cover. Be sure to keep your forearm in tight against your head to absorb the impact of any strikes that
come in. Immediately move to counterstrikes and combinations of attack.
At a closer range, the elbow boxer defends against a lead punch by slipping to the outside and covering
with a hairbrush cover. He immediately drives in and executes a diagonal elbow to the opponent’s temple.
The hand that executed the hairbrush cover can be used to check the opponent’s arm as you enter for the
elbow strike. The elbow boxer finishes the opponent with another diagonal elbow strike to his head.
Notice that in this example, the cover is used in conjunction with evasive footwork and body movement.
 Tracing From Covers
Tracing is a counter-offensive skill that is used to immediately return fire upon your opponent and
seize the offense in an encounter. This makes it a very valuable strategy to use with the cover techniques
shown in the previous chapter.
The basic concept behind tracing is that after you defend against the opponent’s attack, you
immediately follow his attacking limb directly back with your counterattack. Your strike follows the
opponent’s limb along the same path that he retracts it on. Because your counterattack travels along the
same trajectory as the opponent’s retracting limb, it is very difficult for him to see it coming. To the
opponent, it seems as if he is immediately struck out of nowhere after his failed attack.
To fully understand the strategy of tracing, think of the analogy of blowing up a balloon. If you
forcefully blow air into the balloon and don’t immediately pinch down the airway, the pressure from the
balloon will cause the air that just entered to be immediately forced back along the same exact path that
it just entered the balloon. In fact, the pressure from the balloon results in the air coming back with more
force than what it originally entered with. Think of your opponent’s attack as the air entering the balloon
and your counter strike as the air being forced back into the blower’s face.
Tracing does require practice and timing to use effectively. The best way to learn this skill is with a
training partner. Start by putting on boxing gloves and have your partner throw slow punches. Defend
against your partner’s strikes and immediately trace back at him with a counterattack. Keep your attacks
and counterattacks light and work on timing. As your skills progress, increase the speed and power of
your techniques.
We will now look at a few examples of tracing from the cover techniques you have learned.

Tracing from the Diagonal Cover

In this application of the tracing principle, the attacker executes a lead punch which the elbow boxer
stops with a diagonal cover. As the attacker withdraws his striking arm, the elbow boxer follows with a
cross that travels to the target along the same path as his retracting arm. Due to the speed and timing of
the counterattack, it is also very effective in stopping the attacker from throwing a second attack with his
rear hand. Even if the attacker has already started his second punch, by tracing with the cross, he is hit
midstream. The cross acts as a stop hit to the attacker’s blow.

Tracing from the Hairbrush Cover

The below example shows the tracing principle applied from the hairbrush cover. As the attacker throws a
hooking punch to the elbow boxer’s head, he defends with a hairbrush cover to protect himself. He
immediately follows the trajectory of the punch back towards the attacker and strikes with a lead elbow
as he is retracting his punching arm. From this position the elbow boxer can follow up with additional
attacks as needed.
Tracing from the Front Middle Cover
As the attacker launches a lead punch, the elbow boxer protects himself with a front middle cover. He
immediately counters with a cross that follows the path of the attacker’s retracting arm to the target. He
then flows into a round elbow strike while checking the attacker’s lead arm. The elbow boxer can
continue his attack from this position as needed.

Tracing from the Shoulder Roll Cover

The attacker throws a lead punch at the elbow boxer who rolls his lead shoulder forward to deflect the
attack as he catches with his open rear palm. As the attacker starts to withdraw his punch, the elbow
boxer follows with his own cross to his chin. This is a rapid fire strike that immediately fires back on the
attacker directly along the path of his original strike. Although it is not really happening, you should
almost have the feeling of pushing the attacker’s punch back at him after the shoulder roll cover and
catch. After the cross, the elbow boxer can disengage or continue to strike as needed.
 Smashing Elbows
Smashing elbow techniques are among the most powerful elbow strikes you can deliver and are an
important part of the elbow boxer’s repertoire. Because of their devastating power they are typically used
as finishing attacks. The reason smashing elbow strikes are so effective is because the opponent’s head is
immobilized with one of your hands so that it absorbs the entire force of the elbow strike. Smashing
elbow strikes are also very effective to use in a clinch situation. In this chapter we will look at the most
common smashing elbow techniques that you should be familiar with.

The Round Smashing Elbow

The round smashing elbow is probably the most often used smashing elbow technique. It is executed by
cupping the side of the opponent’s head as you deliver the round elbow attack. When practiced during
shadow sparring or form training, the elbow typically smacks into the open palm. The below photo shows
the round smashing elbow attack.

Round Smashing Elbow Application

The attacker drives in and begins to grapple with the elbow boxer who hooks the back of his neck with his
right hand. He then breaks free from the attacker’s grip with his left arm and eye gouges him as he pulls
him forward into a head butt attack. As the attacker tries to pull away, the elbow boxer finishes with a
round smashing elbow strike to his temple.
Upward Smashing Elbow
To execute the upward smashing elbow, grab the opponent behind the back of his head and pull
downward as you drive the upward elbow strike towards your gripping hand. The below photo shows how
to practice the movement in the air.

Upward Smashing Elbow Application

In the following application of the upward smashing elbow, the elbow boxer is engaged in a clinch with
his opponent. As they struggle, the opponent pulls back aggressively and tries to free himself from the
clinch. The elbow boxer responds by cupping the back of his head and driving an upward smashing elbow
strike to his chin.
Notice that anytime the opponent is at close range and has his head down, the opportunity exists for
an upward smashing elbow strike. When executing smashing elbow attacks, don’t focus on trying to grab
the opponent’s head. This will alert him to your intentions. Instead, practice flowing seamlessly into the
grab and smashing elbow off of defensive techniques, grappling maneuvers, and strikes.
Diagonal Smashing Elbow
The diagonal smashing elbow strike is the king of all smashing elbow techniques. Because it comes from
the rear it generates a tremendous amount of power that is amplified by immobilizing the opponent’s
head as the strike is delivered. To perform the diagonal smashing elbow technique, reach out with the
lead hand and grab the side of the opponent’s head as you drive the diagonal elbow strike into his temple.
This technique is normally executed with a forward angle step. Recover back to your fighting posture
quickly after the strike. The below photo shows the diagonal smashing elbow being executed in solo
practice.

Diagonal Smashing Elbow Application

In the below application of the diagonal smashing elbow, the attacker throws a lead punch which the
elbow boxer deflects using a high outside parry. He immediately traces the punch back and delivers a
finger strike to the attacker’s eyes. From the finger strike, the elbow boxer grabs the side of the
attacker’s head and delivers a diagonal smashing elbow strike to his temple. From this position, he can
control the attacker’s head, execute follow up strikes, or disengage as the situation dictates.
Ear Strike and Grab With Smashing Elbows
When executing any of the smashing elbows, you can make the technique even more devastating by
striking and grabbing the opponent’s ear just before you execute the elbow strike. The ear should be
slapped with a cupped hand to drive air into the ear canal and possibly burst the eardrum. Damage to the
eardrum results in intense pain with loss of balance and equilibrium. Even if the eardrum is not ruptured,
the opponent will still experience pain and a degree of disorientation. Immediately after striking the ear,
grab it with your hand as you execute the smashing elbow attack. The below photos show how to execute
the technique.

Ear Strike and Grab With Smashing Elbows Application

The elbow boxer slips inside of the opponent’s cross and executes a lead elbow strike to his face. He
immediately strikes the opponent’s ear with the palm of his hand. As the palm makes contact with the
opponent’s ear, the elbow boxer grabs ahold of the ear and delivers a diagonal smashing elbow strike to
his temple.

Smashing Elbow With Hammerfist Strike

The final smashing elbow technique we will discuss is the smashing elbow with hammer strike. This
technique takes advantage of two powerful strikes by combining them into one technique. To perform this
technique, execute an inside hammerfist strike with your rear hand as you deliver a round smashing
elbow strike with your lead elbow. The opponent’s head will be sandwiched between the hammerfist and
the elbow attacks. The below photo shows the technique being performed in solo practice.

Smashing Elbow With Hammerfist Strike Application

In this final application, I thought I would show an example of how some of the techniques you have
learned can be combined into a flurry of attacks that end with the smashing elbow with hammerfist
strike. In the below series of photos, the opponent throws a lead jab which is parried by the elbow boxer
who then traces in with a cross. The opponent then follows with a cross of his own which the elbow boxer
evades by slipping to the inside. From the slip, he enters with a rising headbutt under the opponent’s chin
while checking his lead hand. He then rolls into a round elbow strike to the throat followed by an
uppercut elbow to the chin. He finishes the assault with a round smashing elbow and hammerfist strike.
This entire series of movements are executed in about two seconds. Look at each picture quickly to get an
idea of how the movements would flow together during the attack. Again, many elements of elbow boxing
are contained in this example. Some of the elements include parrying, evasion, footwork, tracing,
trapping, headbutting, elbow boxing strikes, and of course, the smashing elbow with hammerfist strike.
If you have taken the time to truly digest the material presented in The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing,
and this book up to this point, you should have a solid understanding of how all of the principles fit
together like pieces of a puzzle. In the next chapter we will look at the principle of rolling hands and
elbows which will broaden your Elbow Boxing skills even more.
 Rolling Hands and Elbows
Rolling hands and elbows are a valuable part of the Elbow Boxing repertoire. Rolling is basically a
method of moving your hands, body and elbows in a fluid manner to generate power, deflect incoming
strikes, confuse the opponent, and flow into counterattacks. In this chapter, we will look at how to use
rolling hands and elbow techniques to enhance your Elbow Boxing skills.

Basic Rolling Hands

The basic rolling hands technique is executed in a manner similar to the motion you would make if you
were winding up a long piece of yarn between your hands. It is also similar to the movement you would
make with your hands to play bongo drums. To execute the basic rolling hands technique from a boxer’s
posture, bring your lead hand down with the palm facing towards the floor. Your rear hand opens and
starts to move forward and over the top of your lead hand as you begin to retract it. As the rear hand
completes it’s motion, the lead hand comes over and repeats it’s downward motion. The entire sequence
of movements happens quickly and looks like three rapid parrying motions. The below pictures show how
this movement looks.

Basic Rolling Hands Application

In the below series of photographs, the attacker throws a combination of punches at the elbow boxer who
uses the rolling hand movements to parry his strikes. He then immediately counters with a lead round
elbow strike that rolls off of the final parrying motion. The basic rolling hands movement can also come in
handy against an opponent who is feinting or hesitant to initially throw a punch. Keeping your hands up,
and moving in a rolling manner will prepare you for the strike when it comes, and keep the opponent
guessing on when you will launch your own attack. Once again, remember the rule of three when you
practice these techniques. Never defend more that three times without counter attacking. It is also
extremely important to stay mobile on your feet and move your entire body as you execute the rolling
hands movement. Think and move like a boxer.
Rolling Elbows
After you understand the concept of rolling hands and keeping your hands mobile for attack and defense,
the same concept is applied to your elbow attacks. Because of the close range nature of Elbow Boxing,
the concept of rolling is developed to a whole new level. The ultimate goal here is to keep your elbows
moving and flowing in a continuous manner as you attack and defend. When an elbow is used to block or
defend, you instantly roll off of the impact with the opponent and into your next attack. There is no break
in movement. Your elbow techniques become fast and relentless like a helicopter blade that chews up the
opponent. We will start by looking at a simple elbow rolling exercise and then break down some fighting
applications of the movements.

The Rolling Elbows Exercise

To perform the rolling elbows exercise, start in the boxer’s posture. Your hands may be clenched into fists
or held open. The below photos will show the exercise being done with the hands open. Move your lead
elbow forward as if you were about to deliver a lead elbow attack. Just before the elbow is fully extended,
roll the tip of your elbow over and transition into a round elbow motion. As the round elbow motion is
finishing, without breaking the flow of movement, bring your rear palm forward like you are going to
finger jab or palm strike the opponent. Before the rear hand reaches full extension, roll the rear elbow
over into a diagonal elbow strike motion. When the rear elbow strike completes it’s path, flow back into
the beginning movement of the exercise and repeat the entire elbow rolling exercise for as many
repetitions as you desire.
The purpose of this basic exercise is to get you to flow effortlessly between the various elbow
movements without stoping your momentum. Once mastered, this exercise will help you generate a
tremendous amount of power in your elbow strikes and transition seamlessly between attack and defense.
The below photographs show the exercise in motion.
Rolling Elbows Application #1
In our first application of rolling elbows, the opponent throws a lead punch at the elbow boxer who angles
off line and protects his head with a hairbrush cover. Without stopping his motion or momentum, the
elbow boxer rolls off of the opponent’s strike and delivers a rear round elbow attack to the opponent’s
temple. This entire rolling technique takes place in less than a second and is all part of one continuous
motion. As the elbow boxer angles off line and covers, the rolling motion of his elbow against the
attacking arm draws the opponent in as the strike is delivered. If the opponent’s body moves too far away,
the elbow boxer could counter with boxing hand techniques as opposed to the round elbow strike.
As you study these applications, remember the purpose of the technique is to use the rolling motion
to deflect and strike while generating additional power. It is also to be deceptive and make it harder for
the opponent to see the attack coming or to defend. When you practice these techniques, train yourself to
use short range power and to generate power from a point of contact with no wind up of motion or
wasted movement.
Rolling Elbows Application #2
In this second application of rolling elbows, the elbow boxer deflects a lead punch from the opponent with
an inside deflecting elbow. Without a break in the motion, he immediately rolls off of the deflection and
strikes with a lead diagonal elbow attack. As the elbow rolls into the strike, it seems to come from
nowhere to the attacker. The elbow strike travels in a path below the attacker’s line of sight, partially
blocked from view by his own arm. The elbow boxer can then follow up with additional strikes as needed.
Rolling Elbows Application #3
As the opponent attacks with a punch to the body, the elbow boxer uses a downward elbow strike to his
attacking limb to stop the punch. He then immediately rolls into a reverse elbow strike to the opponent’s
jaw followed by a rear round elbow. The entire sequence is executed in a rapid fire manner with the initial
attack rolling off of the limb destruction defense. The elbow boxer can continue with additional attacks as
needed to stop the opponent.

Rolling Elbows Application #4 (The Figure Eight)

The next application of rolling elbows we will look at is called the figure eight movement. The concept of
the figure eight can be used with any technique but will be shown here with the diagonal elbow strike. As
the opponent throws a lead punch, the elbow boxer uses an outside parry to deflect the attack and drives
in with a diagonal elbow strike as he checks the opponent’s arm. Without a break in movement, the elbow
boxer rolls into two more diagonal elbows.
If you were looking at the attack from the front, the diagonal elbow strikes would make a figure eight
motion as they travel to the target. Again, the key concepts here are constant motion, flow, rolling off of
defensive movements and into attacks. All of the applications we have discussed and countless more are
contained within the rolling elbows exercise. The more you practice the exercise, the more these
movements will come out spontaneously in your sparring and fighting.
Rolling Elbows Application #5 (Body Roll Right)
In some cases rolling can be done by using the entire body in conjunction with the elbows to disrupt the
opponent’s body structure and balance. In this application of the rolling principle, the elbow boxer
defends against the attacker’s lead punch by covering and slipping to the right. As the momentum of the
punch comes forward, the elbow boxer rolls his lead elbow clockwise to the outside of his body and
executes a reverse elbow strike to the back of the attacker’s neck. Without a break in motion he drives his
forearm into the back of the attacker’s head and neck. The elbow boxer controls the attacker’s head with
his palm as he finishes him with a downward elbow strike to his spine.
The key to this technique is sticking to the attacker’s body once contact is made. The elbow provides
the cover and the means of attack, but the body as a whole is essential for the evasion, sticking, and off-
balancing of the attacker. The attacker’s momentum coming forward is also an essential part of this
technique. The elbow boxer is not diving in and trying to apply this technique by force. Instead, it is the
forward momentum of the attacker’s strike missing the target after the slip that causes the elbow boxer
to end up at his side. Once this occurs, the rolling maneuver combined with the elbow strike creates the
attack and control of the technique. The below photographs show this technique in motion.

Rolling Elbows Application #6 (Body Roll Left)

In this second example of using the rolling elbows concept with the entire body, the elbow boxer has
secured the attacker’s wrist and delivers a lead elbow strike to his elbow joint to break the arm. He then
steps in deep behind the attacker’s legs and delivers an elbow strike to the his solar plexus while
maintaining a hold on his wrist. Without stopping the momentum, the elbow boxer turns his upper body to
the left and rolls his fist up while driving his elbow down into the attacker’s chest to lever him off
balance. The entire movement causes the attacker to fall backwards and smash into the wall. The elbow
boxer can then disengage or follow up with additional attacks as needed.
There are several important points to this technique. First, you must step in deep behind the
attacker’s legs in order to have leverage and be attacking at the same time you are coming in. Second, it
is important to maintain control of the attacker’s arm until the moment you are rolling and knocking him
off balance. If you don’t do pay attention to these points, the attacker will grab you in a headlock, or
worse yet, get your back and choke you. When properly applied, the attacker will be hit twice and levered
off-balance before he realizes what happened. The strike to the solar plexus and the levering off-balance
must be one fluid movement. The initial arm break was described in detail in The Brutal Art of Elbow
Boxing. The below photos show the technique being performed.

Rolling Elbows Application #7 (Roll into Hook)

One of the key elements of the rolling principle is the continuous flow of movement and fluid transition
between techniques. To get a mental picture of this concept, think of skipping a rock across the water on
a lake. When the rock is thrown, the momentum causes it to bounce multiple times across the surface of
the water. In this example of rolling, the elbow boxer parries a punch to the body and strikes the
opponent with a reverse elbow strike to the head. Just like the analogy of the rock, he bounces off of the
strike and directly into a hook of the opponent’s neck. While maintaining control of the opponent’s lead
arm and neck, he levers him into a knee strike.
Rolling is extremely important when executing the reverse elbow strike. The point of the elbow must
travel through your target and flow directly into the next technique. If the reverse elbow strike stops
when it impacts the target, it gives the opponent the ability to get to your back and possibly apply a
choke. Striking through the target, using combinations, proper footwork, and rolling will prevent this
from occuring. The below series of photographs show this technique being applied.
Rolling Elbows Application #8 (Roll Low to High)
In this final example of the rolling principle, we will look at the concept being applied to targets of
different heights. Attacking along different lines can be very effective and difficult for the opponent to
defend against. In the below photographs, the elbow boxer slips to the outside to avoid a punch from the
attacker. Without a break in motion, he executes a dropping round elbow strike to the attacker’s thigh
and rolls back up to deliver a reverse elbow strike to the attacker’s head. The entire technique is
executed in under one second. Again, the key point is the non-stop rolling action of the elbow during the
attack, and the change from low to high line.
The dropping round elbow technique has to be felt to be appreciated. When properly applied, it is
similar to getting kicked in the leg with a Muay Thai kick. In my early days of training with Sifu Butler,
this was one of his signature techniques. He would attack high with a combination of hand techniques
and then suddenly drop into the round elbow strike to the nerve in my thigh. I would instantly lose feeling
in my leg and have a difficult time standing up. Vic would execute the technique with such lightning
speed that you never saw it coming. By the time you felt the dropping round elbow, he had come back up
and already hit you with four or five additional strike. This is truly an effective technique that should not
be dismissed.
 Survival Mindset and Street Tactics
Many martial arts originate out of a need for survival and Elbow Boxing is no different. In the
environment that spawned Elbow Boxing, there was no choice but to fight. Retreat was not an option and
backing down would instantly lable you as weak and invite others to victimize you. Not only was fighting a
necessity for survival, but being able to defeat an opponent in a rapid and vicious manner would gain you
respect and convince others not to cause you problems.
As Elbow Boxing evolved, a survival mindset and knowledge of tactics that are commonly used on the
street became an essential part of the system. In this chapter we will discuss how to use the survival
mindset to your advantage. We will also look at some common street tactics you should be aware of to
ensure you are not caught off guard during an encounter.
The fact is that true fighting is violent and dangerous. There are no winners or losers, only survivors.
There are no rules or referees to stop the fight and chances are good that you will be seriously hurt. In
addition, you will probably end up facing civil action or criminal charges even if you are in the right and
come out on top of the physical encounter.
To have a survival mindset you must fully understand all of the factors involved in a real encounter
and understand why avoidance should always be your number one goal. Having a survival mindset
includes controlling your ego, and walking away from a fight whenever possible. The elbow boxer only
fights as a last resort when he or another person is in immediate danger and all other means have been
exhausted. Keep this in mind as we look at some of the factors that can impact a real encounter.

Motive
One of the first things to consider in a self-defense situation is the assailant’s motive. What is his ultimate
goal? Does he want to rob you, sexually assault you, humiliate you, get revenge, or take your life? In some
cases such as a robbery, the attacker may actually tell you what his motive is. If your safety is at risk and
a motive is not immediately made clear, you must assume the worst and immediately kick into your full
survival mindset response.

No Knowledge of Your Opponent

In the vast majority of self-defense situations, you will know nothing about your adversary. You have no
idea what his mental condition is or what he is capable of. For all you know he could be a Navy Seal or a
professional dog groomer. You cannot assume your attacker is less dangerous based on physical
appearance alone. Just because the encounter might involve an elderly person, juvenile, or a person who
appears to be weak, looks can be very deceiving. As I write this, the evening news is showing a story
about a fourteen year old who was armed with an AK-47 and got into a shoot out with police. Never make
the fatal mistake of assuming you can easily take someone or that an opponent does not pose a threat to
you.
Knowledge can also be gained through your opponent’s body language. Look at how he stands. Are
his hands up? Is a weapon visible or possibly concealed in a pocket or under clothing? Does he move like
someone who has physical skills such as a boxer or football player? Is he nervous or shaking during the
encounter? An opponent who is shaking heavily could be under the influence of drugs or reacting to fear
or adrenaline. When combined with a firearm, a nervous shaking opponent is a recipe for disaster.
A good exercise to practice is to make quick evaluations of people when you are out in public. Be
casual about it, but when sitting at the mall, or shopping in a store, pay attention to the people around
you. Notice their body language and how they are acting. Paying attention to random people and what is
going on around you will help you learn to read body language and enhance your overall situational
awareness. Again, be casual about this and don’t make it obvious that you are observing others or you
will draw unwanted attention to yourself.

Nothing To Lose
One advantage that a criminal has in a deadly encounter is that they often have nothing to lose. The fact
that they are engaged in criminal activity in the first place usually means they are down on their luck, and
are in a position where the consequences of their actions no longer matter. You on the other hand
probably have a lot to lose. First and foremost, you could lose your life or your health. You will almost
never come out of a physical encounter unscathed. At the very least you will probably suffer injury which
might require expensive medical care or force you out of work for a period of time. A broken jaw,
fractured orbital socket, or injured limb can require long term healing and significant cost.
You also have the risk of losing your livelyhood. Paying heavy legal costs to defend against criminal
charges or civil law suits can easily drain your bank account dry and risk you losing your home or
property.
Many times it doesn’t matter if you are right or wrong, you can still face legal challenges due to an
encounter. There are many documented cases where a simple fist fight turns deadly after someone is
punched and knocked out. The person then falls and cracks their skull on the pavement resulting in a
brain bleed and death. For these reasons, you should always seek to avoid a confrontation at all costs.
Only fight as a last resort when there are no other options. If you choose to fight when other options exist,
the outcome will never be worth it.

Everything To Lose
If you have no choice but to defend yourself from serious harm or death, then you must use the fact that
you have something to lose to your advantage. You do this by instilling a mindset that you are going to go
home to your family at all costs. You will not be deprived of your loved ones and the life you have worked
hard for by some scumbag who wants to cause you harm. You will never give up or stop fighting until the
threat has been eliminated. You must work to instill and develop this mindset into your training and
everyday life.
When I first started learning martial arts from Sifu Butler, he gave me a yellow belt on my first day. I
was wondering why he would do that and thought maybe it was because I already had experience in the
martial arts. When I asked him about it he told me that in six months he would test me. If I passed the
test I could keep the yellow belt. If I failed the test he would take the yellow belt away and demote me to
white belt. This seemed completely backwards to me until he explained further.
Sifu Butler told me that a person will fight harder to keep from losing something that they currently
have, than they will to gain something that they never had. This turned out to be a very important concept
in Elbow Boxing. Think about it for a second. If someone told you that you were not going to get the new
car you wanted you might be upset. By contrast, if someone tried to take away the new car that you just
got and worked very hard to purchase, you would probably put up one hell of a fight. The two most
dangerous kinds adversaries you can encounter are the person who has nothing to lose, and the person
who stands to lose everything.

Weapons Involved
You must always asume a weapon is involved in any encounter, even if you don’t initially see one. Always
watch the attacker’s hands and pay attention to details that might indicate a weapon is present. Are there
bulges or outlines of a weapon in clothing? Are the persons hands in their pockets or held in a position
where you can’t see a possible weapon? Pay attention to the environment. Rocks and other landscaping
materials such as planters are often used as weapons when an fight breaks out.
In one situation I am aware of, a fist fight turned deadly after one of the individuals involved grabbed
a cinder block that had come loose from a wall and used it to cave in the other person’s head. Be aware of
these natural weapons in the environment, and if possible, position yourself in a manner that prevents the
attacker from using them against you. Also consider how you might use these weapons to your advantage
if you have to fight for your life.
I can’t stress enough that you must avoid a hostile situation at all costs, but if you have no choice but to
fight and the attacker is armed you must act fast with no hesitation.
Always seek an equalizer or a weapon of your own to try and tip the scales in your favor. The daily
carry of a firearm or other type of weapon on your person is something to consider but that topic is far
beyond the scope of this book. There are numerous books on the market regarding concealed carry and
firearms that are easily available to enhance your knowledge in this area.
Even if you have an equalizer of your own, always look for cover and objects that can be used to
place a barrier between you and the attacker. For example, a parked car or a picnic table can be used to
provide an obstacle between you and the adversary. Keep an eye out for any opportunity to escape from
the situation if possible.
Depending on the attacker’s motive, you might be able to simply talk your way out of a physical
encounter, however If there is no choice but to fight and you have an opportunity to gain a hold on the
opponent’s weapon, you must not hesitate and fully commit with everything you have. In a situation of
this nature, try to keep both hands on the weapon for control as you strike target areas with kicks or head
butts. Remember that you can strike with your elbows even if your hands are occupied.

Friends or Hostile Sympathizers of the Opponent

Predators usually work in packs. Very seldom will you see a person who is out looking for trouble working
alone. In many situations the attacker’s colleagues will be hanging back and acting as look outs or trying
to flank you. In some cases, the attacker’s friends may pretend to be on your side to gain trust and try to
place you at a disadvantage. Once again, body language is extremely helpful. Pay attention to the location
where the attacker approached from. Are there other people hanging around in that vicinity? Are there
other individuals who are approximately the same age and dress as the adversary loitering nearby? Does
the attacker shift his gaze or attention towards others who are standing in the vicinity? Keep an eye out
for people who are sitting in parked cars with the engine running or on bicycles or scooters in the area.
All of these individuals could be accomplices to your potential attacker.
If a fight does break out and you are prevailing, the possibility of hostile sympathizers should also be
considered. These are individuals who might not know what led up to the encounter and only see you as
an attacker, assaulting someone they see as the victim. In their minds you are the bad guy and they might
attack you to help the person who unbeknownst to them is the true attacker. This can also be a real
danger when the police arrive, and possibly perceive you to be the bad guy. Communication is extremely
important in these situations to let other citizens or law enforcement officers who are approaching know
that you are the victim who is struggling with an attacker and you need assistance.

Street Smarts/Your Skill Set

Your skill set and having a degree of street smarts is critical in a real encounter. The old saying that how
you train is how you fight is extremely true. Every time you train, you should ask yourself if you are truly
prepared to defend yourself if the situation should arise. Unfortunately street smarts are harder to obtain.
It normally comes from the experience of living or working in environments where danger and possible
threats are a way of life. While I don’t recommend that you put yourself in harms way to gain street
experience, I do suggest you study the mindset of criminals and learn what makes them tick.
Understanding their frame of mind can help you avoid situations, protect yourself and prevent
confrontations from occuring.

Morals
Most of us are raised to understand the difference between right and wrong and we are taught by our
parents at an early age to respect authority and to follow the rules of society. The sad truth is that many
people are not raised this way and have no regard for you or anyone but themselves. You can never
assume that your opponent has morals or a conscience. In addition, you might have to breakthrough your
own moral and mental barriers that can prevent you from taking appropriate action in a deadly
encounter. For example, one question that is commonly asked of people who are testing to become a
police officer is could you take another person’s life if needed to protect yourself or another from the
threat of death or serious bodily harm? Many candidates respond that they could not take another life
even if their own life depended on it. Members of the military must also ask themselves the same
question.
Our morals that have been instilled in us can be very strong which overall is a good thing. It can
become a problem though if your morals prevent you from taking the appropriate action to save your own
life or the lives of others. You must prepare your mind and condition yourself to ensure that you have the
capability to act when needed and accept the fact that your survival it is not in conflict with your moral or
spiritual beliefs.
Another area where a person’s morals, control and restraint come into play is the ability to stop your
attack immediately once the threat has been eliminated. There is a fine line between being the victim who
is responding in self-defense to a threat and being the aggressor. Crossing this line can land you in prison.
We have all seen cases where a person knocks out another person in a fist fight but then continues to beat
the unconscious person.
You must understand what is at stake in an encounter and realize that your opponent might not stop
attacking you even if you are unconscious or incapacitated. Remember that there are no referees to stop
the fight when someone can’t defend themselves and there is no ability to tap out to stop the attacker
from inflicting damage to you.

Warrior Spirit
You never know how you will react in a situation until you are placed into that situation. It is not
uncommon for someone who has trained for years in martial arts to freeze up when confronted by a real
attacker. Some people thrive on conflict and chaos. Others have a natural ability to think on their feet and
react quickly to any situation. On the other hand, many people are overcome by fear and fail to react.
I believe you are either born with a warrior spirit or you are not and you can’t create a warrior spirit
where one doesn’t exist. However, many people have a warrior spirit that lies dormant inside of them.
This spirit can be harnessed and developed to a higher level. The first key here is training. You must make
your training sessions as realistic as possible. Test your skills under true pressure and push yourself to
the limit. The harder you train, the more you will cultivate your spirit and the better your overall chances
of survival will be.
Strive to develop a strong work ethic and the mindset that you will never quit or give up until a job is
done. Even if you are hurt or losing an encounter, confirm in your mind that you will never give up. You
will fight to the death if need be to protect yourself or your loved ones from harm. Know in your heart
that even if you are defeated, the attacker will pay dearly for what they have done and will bear the scars
of your encounter for a lifetime.

Turning Your Killer Instinct On and Off Instantly

It is not healthy to live your life in a heightened state of awareness or aggression. You must be able to
turn your killer instinct on or off in an instant when the situation dictates. One of the best ways to develop
this skill is to have a mental trigger word. Pick a word that you want to be your mental trigger word. This
word will never change and will be with you for life. Everytime you train, set aside a few minutes to
develop the connection between your killer instinct and the trigger word.
One way to accomplish this is with the heavy bag. Stand in front of the bag and completely relax.
Breathe deep and let your mind be totally at peace and calm. Next think of your trigger word and
instantly go into a rage on the heavy bag. Attack and strike the bag with everything you have for about
ten seconds. Do not stop or slow down until the ten seconds are up. Think of things that make you
extremely angry. Imagine you are attacking a person who has just done terrible things to one of your
family members or is trying their best to kill you. After your ten second rage on the heavy bag is over,
relax again and breathe deep to calm yourself back down. Clear all angry thoughts from your mind.
The moment you are calm, think of a new word that will be your “off switch”. This word when
thought of will calm you down and completely relax you. Associate this word with things that bring you
peace and joy such as a walk on the beach or holding your child. Eventually with practice, your trigger
word and your off switch word will become deeply ingrained in your subconscious mind. Not only will this
exercise help you turn on your killer instinct or calm yourself down in an instant, it will also help relieve
stress that accumulates in your daily life. You will be surprised at how well this simple exercise works.
On a final note, choose a trigger word that can be easily associated with rage and is fairly
uncommon. You don’t want to use a trigger word that you use often in your normal daily conversation. For
example, pick a word like “Spike” or “unleash” rather than a word like “go” or “now”. This will ensure
you are not constantly hearing your trigger word throughout the day in normal conversation. If you do
hear your trigger word and it gets you amped up, simply use your off switch word to calm back down. You
are in complete control and retain the ability to turn your killer instinct on or off in an instant. This is an
extremely powerful tool once mastered.

Point of No Return
In one of my previous books I talked about a mental technique that has been extremely useful to me over
the years for both fighting situations and regular daily life. I call it the Point of No Return. Ironically, I
learned this concept as a kid from my driver’s training instructor.
I was about fifteen years old and just learning how to drive with my instructor in the car next to me.
As we approached a busy intersection, the traffic light suddenly changed from green to yellow. I was not
sure what I should do. Should I try and stop and slam on my brakes? Should I accelerate slightly and risk
running a red light? In my confusion and hesitation, I decided to accelerate and I passed through the
intersection just as the light turned red.
I was certain I had failed the driving class when the instructor told me to pull over to the side of the road.
This is when the instructor imparted to me these words of wisdom. He said, “Always have a point of no
return established in your mind”. He went on to explain that by using a point of no return you have made
a decision in your mind that once you cross a certain point, you will commit one hundred percent and
never look back. This piece of advice has served me very well throughout my life and especially in the
self-defense situations and real life encounters I have experienced.
When seconds count, the worst thing you can do is hesitate out of fear or uncertainty. By establishing
a point of no return, you take away that hesitation and lag time. For example, you may set a point of no
return in a verbal confrontation with someone that as long as the person doesn’t touch you, you will
remain calm and ready, but not resort to physical force. The instant they put their hands on you, they
have crossed the line and your point of no return for taking action kicks in.
Often a point of no return can be established ahead of time, such as the decision that you will not be
tied up or moved to a different location during a robbery. Other times, a point of no return must be
established in the moment. By incorporating this principle into your training, you can eliminate hesitation
and significantly reduce lag time when responding to situations.

Both Sides of the Coin

It is important to keep in mind that there are two sides of every coin and all of these concepts can be used
against you or to your advantage. Understanding the mentality and mindset that an attacker may have,
and learning to enhance your response capabilities will improve your overall odds of survival.

Common Street Tactics

Now that we have discussed some of the principles surrounding a survival mindset, let’s look at some
common street tactics that an attacker might use to gain an advantage against you. Again, our goal here
is not to condone the use of these techniques against another person or to suggest that you should
employ these tactics, but rather to make you aware of how they can be potentially used against you. In
the environment that spawned Elbow Boxing, tactics of this nature are the rule rather than the exception.

Tactic #1-The Fake Handshake

This is a very common ruse that is used on the street to sucker punch someone after a verbal altercation
has ensued. Typically a disagreement develops and words are exchanged between two people. At some
point during the altercation one of the individuals reaches out as if to end the disagreement peacefully
with a handshake. As the other person steps in to accept the handshake, the extended hand transitions
into a suckerpunch.
Another version of the fake handshake involves extending the hand as if to offer peace and then
when the opponent accepts the handshake, pulling him into a cross from the rear hand. Both version are
very similar in application, but the grabbing version does offer additional control of the opponent.
The general idea behind this tactic is to use a ruse that you are extending an olive branch by offering
a truce with the adversary and then attacking when their guard is down. There are many variations of this
tactic that are often used. These include feigning injury, asking for help, or pretending to know the person
prior to launching the attack. The below photographs show the first version of this tactic in action. As the
individual in the light colored shirt reaches out to accept the adversary’s handshake, he launches a hook
punch to the jaw, followed by a round elbow strike from the rear.
Tactic #2- Throwing Something into the Opponent’s Eyes
Another age old tactic is to toss dirt or some other object into the opponent’s eyes to temporarily blind
him so that you can launch an attack. Obviously you have to have something readily available or in your
hands as the encounter begins in order to throw it into the opponent’s face. Often you will have keys or
loose change available. If the situation is a robbery, you may be able to throw your wallet to buy you time
to escape. In some instances you might be sitting on the ground when the encounter occurs or get
knocked down during the fight. This gives you the opportunity to pick up a hand full of dirt or gravel to
target the opponent’s eyes.
I actually learned about this tactic accidently as a kid. I was out on the playground on a summer day
during school recess. I had just caught a grasshopper that I had seen jumping around when the school
bully approached me and threatened to beat me up. As I prepared to get pummeled, the grasshopper
suddenly jumped out of my hands and landed right on the bully’s nose. He was momentarily shocked and
grabbed his face not knowing what type of creature had just perched there. I immediately made my
escape. Over the years I have never forgotten the effectiveness of that strategy. The below photos show
some debris being thrown into the attacker’s face to set him up for an attack or to make your escape.
Tactic #3- The Jersey
This extremely common street tactic probably gets its name from hockey games and involves pulling the
opponent’s jacket or shirt over their head to limit their mobility and vision as you strike them. This tactic
is usually employed when the fight ends up at close range in a clinch or standing grappling which affords
the opportunity to grab the opponent’s clothing from behind their back and pull it over their head. When
using this technique, the shirt or jacket should be pulled over the head and straight down as opposed to
forward. This will help prevent the opponent from pulling their body out of the shirt completely. This
tactic works best if the opponent’s clothing is heavier. Although it can be applied with a t-shirt, a lighter
shirt has a better chance of ripping and allowing the opponent to break free.
If this technique is done against you, you should straighten your arms, back up and try to pull free
from the shirt. Another option is to drive in and attempt to grapple, but the opponent will probably be
able to maintain control of your clothing. Keep moving and twist your body erratically in order to escape
his grip similar to how an aligator twists and rolls to avoid being grabbed. Blindly flailing with strikes will
probably not be effective if you are caught in the jersey, unless you get extremely lucky, and you can’t rely
on luck alone in a fight.
Be aware in a clinch or grappling situation that if the opponent grabs the back of your collar, a judo
throw or the jersey tactic may be coming. The below photographs show this tactic being used. The elbow
boxer parries an incoming punch and secures a grip on the back of the opponent’s collar. He then pulls
his shirt down over his head and keeps pressure towards the ground. The elbow boxer finishes with a
diagonal elbow strike to the opponent’s head. From this position, he can continue to strike and control the
opponent as needed.
Tactic #4- The Hair Grab
The hair grab is another common street tactic that is similar to the jersey technique, but doesn’t require
any clothing to execute. The only thing you need to use this tactic is for the opponent to have a little bit of
hair. The more hair he has, the better, but even a couple of inches is enough to control the opponent’s
head. Once you control his head, it becomes easier to control the rest of his body. There is a common
saying in the martial arts that where the head goes, the body follows and this is very true.
I recently witnessed a street fight that occurred between two young people. One of the individuals
involved had long shoulder length hair. The fight started with some posturing and then a few punches
being thrown. Almost immediately, one of the fighters grabbed the longer hair of his opponent and started
punching him with his free hand. He used the longer hair of his opponent to pull him around and control
his movement while he launched his strikes.
This brings up an important consideration of how your own grooming and dress habits could be used
against you in a fight. Your hair, clothing, a belt, or even a neck tie could all be used by an attacker to
control your movement and launch strikes. Always keep this in mind. On a final note, I remember an early
UFC where one of the fighters had their pony tail pulled completely out of their head during a fight. The
below photos show this tactic in action. The elbow boxer strikes the opponent with an open palm to his
nose. He then transitions into a hair grab and pulls the opponent forward into a round elbow strike from
the rear.
Tactic #5- Against the Ropes
The term against the ropes is an old boxing saying that basically implies you are losing the fight and
facing defeat. In the boxing ring, when you pin the opponent up against the ropes, you limit their mobility
and make it harder for them to defend themselves against your attacks. On the street, awareness of your
surroundings and using the environment to your advantage become even more vital.
When facing a possible attack, make sure you have room behind you to move and avoid getting
boxed in to areas where the opponent could cut off your escape. Also pay attention to objects that could
be used for attack and defense. For example, a park bench might provide a barrier between you and an
opponent who is armed with a knife or broken bottle. A set of stairs or a railing might give you the ability
to off balance an attacker.
In the below series of photographs, the defender uses a wall to his advantage. When the opponent
becomes aggressive and begins his attack, the defender intercepts by charging straight in and drives him
into the wall with a tiger’s mouth strike to the throat. With the attacker off balance and pinned against
the wall, the defender drives a knee strike into his groin and follows with a round elbow strike to his jaw.
Notice how the final strike smashes the opponent’s head between the defender’s elbow and the wall.
Always scan and assess your surroundings for opportunities and threats. Some criminals will
purposely ambush you and launch their attack against you in areas that work to their advantage. Be
aware of this tactic.

Tactic #6- Hidden Weapons

You must assume that any encounter that occurs involves a weapon of some sort. Unfortunately, the days
of fair fist fights where everyone shakes hands and has a beer afterwards are long gone. It is a fatal
mistake to assume you are only dealing with an empty hand situation.
Edged weapons are a popular choice on the street because they are easily concealed and can be
legally carried in most jurisdictions if the blade is short enough. A common denominator among people
who have survived an edged weapon attack is that they never saw the weapon until they were cut. I can’t
tell you how many times I heard a person who was stabbed claim that they thought they had been
punched until they saw the blood. An experienced blade fighter will not show their weapon to you until
they are using it on you.
It is also important to remember that edged weapons are not always knives. They can be screw
drivers, ice picks, razor blades, broken bottles, carpet cutters, and so on. In addition to assuming a would
be attacker is armed, you must always watch the hands. There is a popular saying that the eyes might be
the window to the soul, but the hands are what kill you. Pay close attention to body language and how an
opponent is standing. If they are standing in a awkward position, and you can’t see their palms, they are
possibly concealing something.
Postures that are intended to be relaxed or non-threatening can also be used to hide a weapon
moments before an attack. In the below example, the two individuals are engaged in a verbal argument.
As the person in the light shirt yells and points his finger, the person in the black shirt stands with his
hand on his chin and appears to listen calmly. The person in the light shirt is unaware that he has a knife
concealed in the palm of his hand that is placed on his chin. Without telegraphing his intentions, the
person in the dark shirt quickly slashes across the other person’s throat and then reverse cuts to his neck.
The entire attack happens in less than a second with no time for the victim to react.
Let’s be clear, I show this tactic so that you are aware of it and can prepare yourself to prevent it
from happening to you. I am not advocating the use of a weapon against an unarmed person. With that
said, the elbow boxer should also understand the offensive lessons here of concealing your intentions and
launching non telegraphed attacks to catch your opponent by surprise. Again, there are two sides of the
coin with all of these tactics. Learn how to defend against them and at the same time, understand the
underlining principles and how to use them to your advantage if needed.

Tactic #7- The Imaginary Friend Principle

Distraction is a key element of a surprise attack. Distraction also slows down the opponent’s reaction time
considerably because it is very difficult for the human brain to process and multitask. This tactic takes
advantage of this. Before you study this technique, try a little experiment. The next time you are having a
conversation with a friend, casually glance over their shoulder as if you are looking at someone standing
behind them. In almost every case, your friend will turn and look over their shoulder to see who is there.
This is the reaction that makes this technique so effective.
The glance over the opponent’s shoulder and a motion with the hand might be enough, but sometimes
there may also be verbal misdirection as well. For example the person may say something such as, “Hey
man, help me out with this guy.” These verbal actions can add to the distraction of the opponent.
A simple variation of this distraction tactic is when the attacker simply asks someone for directions,
a cigarette, or what time it is. When the victim is occupied or looks down at their watch, the attack is
launched.
In the below example, the two adversaries square off and exchange words. The individual in black
looks over his opponent’s shoulder and motions to an imaginary person who is behind him. When the
opponent turns to see if someone is approaching, the person in black immediately attacks with a sucker
punch to the jaw.
Tactic #8- Anything Goes
Most martial artists realize that there are no rules on the street, yet many continue to train in techniques
that don’t capitalize on this fact. For many it is a concern for safety during training, for others it is a
desire to participate in sport competitions where the rules prohibit certain techniques.
Understand that if you are faced with a real encounter on the street, your attacker will not follow any
rules. Infact, he will probably use every dirty trick and illegal move he knows to take you down. You must
train to defend against bites, eye gouges, headbutts, groin strikes, hair pulling, and any other “dirty”
technique you can imagine. All of these tactics can change the outcome of a fight in an instant. If you are
dominating the attacker, and then suddenly become blinded by eye gouges, the tide of battle will most
likely turn in your enemy’s favor. I have seen very skilled grapplers, suddenly have trouble when biting,
pinching, and eye gouges come into play while ground fighting.
It is not only important to train to defend against these tactics, it is equally important to understand
how to use them in your favor. Always train with the concept of vital targets in mind. When you spar or hit
the bag, think in terms of eye attacks, groin kicks, knee strikes. It is not hard to incorporate these tactics
into your training without hurting your training partner if proper safety measures are used. Ski goggles
can be worn to protect the eyes, protective padding and training at slower speed with minimal contact
and supervision from an instructor are the best ways to ensure safety.
It doesn’t take too much power to get results when attacking vital areas. The main thing is training
constantly to target them. How you train is how you fight. If you don’t focus on attacking and defending
vital targets during training, you won’t be able to do it in a real fight because under pressure you will
resort back to your training.
In the below example, the attacker is becoming aggressive towards the elbow boxer who is
maintaining a non-threatening posture and trying to de-escalate the situation. When the attacker throws a
sucker punch, the elbow boxer uses a shoulder roll cover to avoid the strike. He then intercepts a second
attack as he enters in with thumb gouges to the attacker’s eyes. He continues in with a head butt
followed by a round smashing elbow strike.
 When talking about the use of vital targets during a fight it is extremely important to have a
knowledge and understanding of the laws regarding self-defense in your jurisdiction. There is a fine line
between defending yourself and being seen as the aggressor in a situation. You should always use only
the amount of force necessary to defend yourself in an encounter, and not more. It is your responsibility
to research and know the laws in your area.
As we close out this chapter it is important to stress again the predatory mindset that exists on the
street and among certain members of our society. You might be dealing with someone who is a cold
blooded killer and has no respect whatsoever for you or your life. Remember there are no rules or ethics
on the street. You must be prepared for sneak attacks, sucker punches, distractions and cons. Avoid
situations when at all possible and have a plan in your mind of escape routes and how you will respond if
something happens. Don’t live your life in paranoia, but at the same time , be one step ahead of any would
be assailant. We have only scratched the surface of this topic in this chapter. I encourage you to delve
deeper into this subject to enhance your skills and increase your odds of survival if you ever find yourself
in a real encounter. Train hard like your life depends on it, because it may!
 Ground Fighting
In a self-defense situation, the ultimate goal is to remain on your feet, eliminate the threat, and
escape with the least amount of injury possible. Unfortunately, in the dynamics of a real encounter, you
can’t always control how the events will unfold. It is common knowledge among martial artists that fights
often end up on the ground. Because of these facts, it is essential to have some skill in ground fighting
and be able to apply Elbow Boxing principles and techniques while on the ground.

Realities of Ground Fighting

The Ground is Unforgiving
Going to the ground is usually not the best option in a street fight or self-defense situation. There are
obviously no matts on the street. An asphalt parking lot, gravel driveway, concrete sidewalk, or a granite
tile floor are all very unforgiving when you get slammed to the ground and are rolling around on them. I
recommend that you get used to practicing your ground fighting skills without matts.
In the beginning stages of training, matts can be very beneficial for learning new techniques and
saving wear and tear on your knees, eventually however, you will need to train on the hard ground. In my
early days of training with Sifu Butler, we routinely practiced grappling skills on a hard wood basketball
court. Get used to fighting on the hard ground and make it your friend.

Sport Verses Self-Defense

Grappling has become extremely popular over the years and many people today have some degree of
ground fighting knowledge ranging from formal training to techniques they have picked up watching
MMA. The fact is that most people practicing grappling today are focused on sport-oriented techniques.
While some sport techniques like a rear naked choke can translate directly to self-defense, other
techniques become useless or even dangerous to use in a real fight with no rules.
When practicing your ground fighting skills, evaluate each technique to determine if it would hold up
under heavy striking from your opponent including, biting, eye gouging, head butting, and possible
weapons.
For example, if you were mounted on an attacker, would you give up the mount position to apply a
straight arm bar in a street fight? What does this accomplish? You give up a superior position where you
could knock out the attacker with strikes or finish with a choke to apply a risky arm bar. Maybe you are
successful in applying the arm bar. Then what? Do you hold the attacker in the arm bar until the cops
come? That could be a while. Do you break his arm? When people are intoxicated or high on drugs, they
can continue to fight even when their arm is broken. They may not even feel it until hours later when they
sober up. You have to ask yourself these hard questions and evaluate all of your techniques.
Sport fighting is done one on one with your opponent. Street fighting situations almost never involve
just two combatants. Fights happen in crowded areas such as parking lots, sporting events, malls, bars, or
night clubs. Other people almost always jump into the fray. They may be friends of your opponent who are
trying to kick you in the head with their steel toed boots or they might simply be good Samaritans who
are trying to break up the fight. Either way they interfere. It is not good when you gain the advantage on
an attacker only to be pulled off and held by bystanders while your adversary gets back to his feet and
starts punching you. Because of the reality of multiple attackers, you must always try to get back to your
feet as quickly as possible.
One advantage that people who train in sport grappling will have in any situation is conditioning.
Because of the physical demands of competition, they will normally have good endurance and not become
winded as easily. By contrast, the average street brawler may not have the same level of endurance. You
must always assume that your attacker is in better shape than you are and realize that you are not
fighting in a competition where you can rest between rounds or take your time and feel out the opponent.
I can’t stress enough that in a real encounter, you must stop the threat as quickly as possible.

Elbow Boxing on the Ground

When fighting on the ground, all of the concepts and principles of Elbow Boxing generally remain the
same. However, there are a few guidelines you should follow to increase your odds of success. Keep in
mind that the techniques and principles we will discuss are aimed at using your Elbow Boxing skills on
the ground. The goal of this chapter is not to teach you how to grapple. That subject could easily fill a
book by itself. Before you can successfully employ Elbow Boxing on the ground, you must understand the
following guidelines.

Control/Dominate Positioning
When a fight goes to the ground, your first goal should be to obtain a position of control over your
opponent. It doesn’t do you any good to try and strike your opponent with elbows while he is on your back
choking you. During a fall or takedown, you should make every effort to land on top of your opponent and
immediately gain a position of control such as the mount or side control positions.
The various ground positions have become common knowledge and there are many good books on
grappling that teach these positions. Avoid being on your back and under the opponent if at all possible.
Also avoid turning your back to the opponent. As a general rule, if you do find yourself underneath your
attacker, put them between your legs and hold them close to prevent strikes. If they try to push away or
create distance, use your legs to push them back and create room to get back on your feet.

Stabilize
Gaining a position of control is not enough, you must be able to maintain the position. If you are able to
get on top of your opponent, they will try desperately to roll or push you off. You must be able to stabilize
the position to prevent this from happening. This is a skill that must be developed with a training partner.
Assume a position of control on top of your training partner and have them try as hard as possible to push
you off and reverse the position. Keep your arms out wide and use your body weight and legs to maintain
the position while your partner resists.
This concept is very similar to the analogy of riding a bull. As the bull jumps and kicks to buck off the
rider, he relaxes, and uses his body to maintain his position on the bull. Just like the bull, your opponent
will get tired quickly while trying unsuccessfully to throw you off. Once you have stabilized your control,
you can start to launch your attack.

Go For the Kill

Once you have a stable position of control over your opponent, it is time to go for the kill. When I say go
for the kill, I mean stop the threat by incapacitating the opponent. On the street this is usually
accomplished with strikes or a choke. This is where your Elbow Boxing skills come into play.

Escape
Remember that you don’t want to be on the ground any longer than necessary. The longer you are tied up
on the ground with an opponent, the more likely his friends or bystanders are going to join in, or a
weapon will come into play. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, get back on your feet and make
your escape.
We will now take a look at how your Elbow Boxing skills can be applied in various ground fighting
situations. We will start by examining a couple of Elbow Boxing strategies from the clinch since this is
where most ground fighting situations will begin.

Technique #1- Elbow Strike from Wall Clinch

In this example, the elbow boxer and his opponent become engaged in a clinch. The elbow boxer checks
the opponent’s arm near his biceps to prevent a punch as he drives him into the wall with his chest and
shoulder. Immediately upon impact with the wall, the elbow boxer pushes off of the opponent’s body
sharply with his shoulder to create space. He then executes a round elbow strike from the rear. From
here, the elbow boxer can continue to throw additional strikes, or disengage from the opponent. The pop
off with the shoulder and the round elbow strike are executed in rapid succession. Remember to use the
wall to your advantage in a situation like this to control the opponent’s movement and smash his head
between the wall and the elbow strike.

Technique #2- Elbow Strike from the Neck Clinch

Another common clinching situation is the neck clinch. When the elbow boxer and the attacker become
engaged in a neck clinch, the elbow boxer controls the attacker’s head by squeezing his forearms
together and pulling him down with his hands cupped behind his head. The attacker resists being pulled
down by trying to push away and create distance. As the attacker is pulling away, the elbow boxer
releases his hold with one arm and delivers a round elbow strike to his head while maintaining his hold
with his other hand. He then momentarily clinches again before throwing another round elbow strike with
his opposite arm. From here he can continue to strike, regain the neck clinch, or disengage from the
attacker.

Technique #3- Chin Press to Elbow Strike

When the fight goes to the ground, the elbow boxer obtains the mount position on top of his opponent. He
then stabilizes his position to prevent the opponent from pushing him off. Once the elbow boxer has
control, he uses his palm to press the opponent’s chin sideways towards the ground. With the opponent’s
head immobilized from the chin press, he rolls into a round elbow strike to his temple or jaw.
Technique #4- Round Elbow to Bent Arm Lock
From the mount position, the elbow boxer throws punches to the opponent’s head which cause him to
cover his face. The elbow boxer then catches the opponent’s wrist and uses his upper body weight to push
his arm towards to ground as he delivers a round elbow strike to his temple. Flowing from the elbow
strike, he pins the opponent’s arm to the ground and executes a bent arm lock to finish him. Notice that
the elbow boxer keeps his head down as he applies the arm lock to avoid strikes from the opponent. Even
if he must break the opponent’s arm, from this position he remains in control and can transition back to
striking if needed.
Technique #5- Jut Sao (Sinking Hand) to Round Elbow
The jut sao or sinking hand is a highly effective technique that was adapted into Elbow Boxing from Wing
Chun Kung-Fu. Basically, it is a jerking motion of the hand used to move the opponent’s hand offline and
create an opening for attack. We discussed the standing version of the jut sao in The Brutal Art of Elbow
Boxing and will now look at an application for this technique on the ground.
The Elbow boxer is mounted on the opponent who is pushing upwards with his hands and trying to
land strikes. The elbow boxer cups the opponent’s hands near the wrist to control his arms. He then
quickly jerks the opponent’s left arm down with the inside of his cupped right hand and immediately
executes a round elbow strike to his head. Notice that he maintains control of the opponent’s right arm as
he delivers the elbow strike. The sudden downward jerking movement of jut sao momentarily opens up a
line of attack for the elbow strike.
This technique is just one example of how your standing elbow boxing skills can translate into
ground fighting situations. Don’t make the mistake of thinking about your martial arts abilities as isolated
skill sets such as weapons, standing, hand techniques, kicks, and so forth. Blend and train all of your
abilities so that you are flexible and can adapt to any situation regardless of the circumstances.

Technique #6- Elbow Flurry from the Mount

Another Elbow Boxing strategy that can easily be adapted to ground fighting is the flurry. As you
remember, the flurry is a rapid series of strikes aimed at overwhelming the opponent. In this example, the
elbow boxer is mounted on the opponent who tries to sit up and grab him around the waist. The elbow
boxer drives a straight downward elbow into the opponent’s face and immediately rolls into a round
elbow strike with the same arm. Without hesitation, he flows into a downward elbow strike and a round
elbow strike combination with his opposite arm. The entire series of movements all flow together into a
high-speed rapid attack on the opponent.
The concept of the flurry is to unleash an overwhelming assault on your opponent that places him
completely on the defense. Any combination of attack can be used. In this example, the flurry is
comprised of elbow strikes because the opponent is trying to sit up and his head is within elbow striking
range. You could also strike with a flurry of punches or a combination of both elbow and hand strikes. The
below photographs show the technique being executed. Remember you must control the opponent and
stabilize your position before you can safely execute your striking techniques.

Technique #7- Downward Elbow Strike to Choke

In this technique, the opponent rolls to his stomach, keeps his arms close to his body and tucks his chin to
prevent a choke. The elbow boxer delivers downward elbow strikes to the back of his neck and spine.
When the opponent lifts his head due to the pain of the strikes, he slides his arm under his chin and
applies a rear naked choke. If the opponent tries to stand up, the elbow boxer must put his “hooks in” by
placing his legs and heels inside of the opponent’s thighs to maintain control while he finishes the choke.
Depending on the circumstances and your surroundings, the best option in this situation might be to just
get off of the opponent’s back and make your escape.
Technique #8- Elbow and Knee Sandwich (Version #1)
As the name suggests, the elbow and knee sandwich is a technique used to smash the opponent’s head
between your elbow and knee. From a side control position, the elbow boxer sits out and creates a base
with his legs so he can’t be rolled over by the opponent. As the opponent tries to push off and escape, the
elbow boxer delivers a downward elbow strike that sandwiches his head between his bottom knee and the
striking elbow. He then scissors his legs so that his bottom leg moves back for support as he delivers a
knee strike with his top leg and another downward elbow strike. The elbow boxer can continue to
alternate between the two knee and elbow strikes. Two important factors to this technique are that you
maintain a solid base as you execute the strikes, and that the opponent’s left arm is pinned between his
body and the side of your body to prevent him from stopping the knee strikes with his arm.
In all of these techniques, it is important for the elbow boxer to be able to transition smoothly
between different ground fighting positions and to maintain control of the opponent’s movement. When
the opportunity presents itself, get back to your feet as soon as possible.

Technique #9- Elbow and Knee Sandwich (Version #2)

In this version of the elbow and knee sandwich, the elbow boxer has his opponent in a standard side
control position. His left arm is posted near the opponent’s hip to prevent him from bringing his knee in
and gaining the guard position. Once control is achieved and the opponent gets tired, the elbow boxer
keeps his weight on his chest and pops up quickly to his toes. He then drives a knee strike to the
opponent’s head at the same time he delivers an elbow strike to the opposite side of his head. The two
strikes combined sandwich the opponent’s head between the knee and elbow. The elbow boxer
immediately gets back to a position of control after the strikes are executed.

Technique #10- Head Slam Into Elbow Strikes

From a side control position, the elbow boxer uses his palm to slam the opponent’s head down into the
ground. He then pushes off of the opponent’s head to create some distance and drops all of his body
weight behind an elbow strike to the opponent’s head. From this position he immediately delivers a
downward elbow strike to the opponent’s face.

Technique #11- Arm Lock With Leg and Elbow Strikes

From a scarf hold position the elbow boxer controls the opponent’s movement by holding his arm close to
his body with one arm while gripping his head and shoulder with the other. As the opponent struggles, the
elbow boxer pushes his right arm down and locks it out with his left leg against his right thigh. From this
position he can crank the arm with pressure from his legs while executing elbow strikes to his groin or
head at will. It is important in this position to be aware of possible strikes from the opponent’s free hand.
You can lower your head to help control his free arm, and because of the position the opponent is in, he
will not be able to generate much power to strike with that hand. If he tries to claw your face, unleash
punches and elbow strikes against his unprotected face to counter.
Technique #12- Elbow Strikes from the Scarf Hold
In some cases, after a throw or a takedown you might end up in a scarf hold position with only a grip on
the opponent’s arm, and no grip around his neck. When this occurs, you can still maintain control of the
opponent, but it is essential to grip his arm above his elbow joint and to place your body weight on his
chest. If you fail to control him in this manner, he can possibly pull free and gain access to your back
leaving you vulnerable to a choke and striking techniques. Once the opponent has been controlled by his
arm and pressure from your body, you can launch elbow strikes to his head.
In the below photographs, the elbow boxer gains control in a scarf hold position. He then lifts his right
arm and delivers reverse elbow strikes to the opponent’s head. I don’t recommend staying in the scarf
hold position long. After your striking you should transition to a standard side control position or
disengage from the opponent and make your escape.

Technique #13- Round Elbow from the Guard

From a guard position, the elbow boxer grabs the opponent’s head and pulls him in close. He then
secures his arm near the triceps to prevent him from creating distance to launch strikes. As the opponent
resists and tries to push away, the elbow boxer delivers a round elbow strike to his head. He immediately
regains control of the opponent’s arm. From this position, he can continue to strike, while he looks for an
opportunity to reverse positions or kick the opponent away and get to his feet.
Technique #14- Elbow Strikes to Guillotine Choke from Guard
In this technique, the elbow boxer has the opponent in his guard. As the opponent struggles to escape, he
starts to choke the elbow boxer with his hand on his throat. The elbow boxer tucks his chin and traps the
opponent’s arm with his forearm as he delivers a round elbow strike to his head. As the round elbow
strike passes through the target, he reverses his motion and delivers a reverse elbow strike to the
opposite side of the opponent’s head. Without hesitation, he wraps his arm around the opponent’s neck
and secures a guillotine choke. He finishes the opponent by squeezing with his thighs and pushing
forward with his legs as he arches his back to sink in the choke. Keep in mind the effectiveness of rolling
and quickly popping your elbow strikes off of the opponent’s hands. This is very deceptive and difficult for
the opponent to stop.

Technique #15- Defense Against Round Elbow in Guard

Usually, the elbow boxer is the one dishing out elbow strikes, but on occasion you may have to defend
against them as well. In this example, the opponent tries to throw a round elbow strike from inside of the
elbow boxer’s guard. The elbow boxer creates distance by arching his back and pushing with his knees.
He then parries the opponent’s elbow strike to the side of his head as he bumps him forward and wraps
his arm around the back of his neck. He finishes the opponent with a side strangle technique. From this
position he can render the opponent unconscious with a choke.
Technique #16- Triangle Choke With Elbow Strikes
In this final ground fighting technique we will discuss, the opponent tries to pass the elbow boxer’s guard
by placing one arm under his leg. The elbow boxer immediately takes advantage of the situation to throw
his leg over the opponent’s shoulder and lock his feet together for control. Realizing that he is in danger
from a triangle choke, the opponent tries to keep his arm to the outside of the elbow boxer’s body to
prevent it from being pulled to his left side for the choke. Rather than fight for the opponent’s arm, the
elbow boxer unleashes a series of round elbow strikes to the attacker’s head. While the attacker is
focused on the elbow attacks, the elbow boxer pulls his foot under his leg to tighten up the triangle. When
the opponent uses his hand to stop further elbow strikes, the elbow boxer grabs his wrist and pulls his
arm across his face. He then grabs the opponent’s head and pulls down while arching his back. At the
same time, he squeezes with the legs to execute the choke.
 The goal in this chapter was to look at how Elbow Boxing techniques and strategies can translate to
ground fighting situations. Although we looked at a number of techniques, we have only scratched the
surface. An entire book could be written on ground fighting skills alone. If you currently study some form
of ground fighting, look at how to integrate all of the Elbow Boxing techniques we have discussed into
your system.
A well rounded martial artist must strive to have a level of proficiency in any scenario. You must be
able to fight on your feet, on the ground, or with weapons. As you train, always keep in mind the
difference between sport and self-defense training. Finally, be sure to train as realistically as possible. In
the next chapter we will focus on how to make your fighting techniques functional in case the time ever
comes that you need to use them to defend yourself.
 The Path to Functionality
It is not enough to simply learn techniques, study concepts, practice with a cooperative partner, and
work out on the heavy bag. You must develop your skills to the level that you can actually use your
techniques against an opponent who wants to cause you harm. In this chapter we will look at a proven
path to make your Elbow Boxing skills functional. This path to functionality involves the use of levels of
resistance.

Levels of Resistance
If you are going to obtain a high level of skill in anything, you must gradually push yourself to the next
level. Let’s use the analogy of weightlifting to illustrate this point. Say you are just starting to train with
weights, and you want to eventually be able to bench press over 200 pounds. You obtain this goal by
gradually increasing the weight you lift in small increments when you train. If you try to lift 200 pounds
on day one you will probably fail. By contrast, if you are content with lifting the same weight every day
and never pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, then you will also fail in your goal.
To make your Elbow Boxing skills functional, you must also increase the levels of resistance when
you train. The first step in this process is to become proficient in performing the techniques. Practice
slowly at first, and make sure you are executing the movements correctly and using proper body
mechanics. This step normally starts by practicing the techniques alone and shadow sparring in the air.
Once the movements feel good, add footwork and evasion to bring the techniques to life. When your
movements start to feel natural, it is time to start adding the first level of resistance.
The first level of resistance is target training. At this level you are executing your techniques against
an actual target. You will notice immediately that there is a big difference between executing techniques
in the air and striking actual targets. Start with a stationary target such as a heavy bag, focus mitts or a
makiwara board. Focus completely on how your techniques feel against an actual target. How does it feel
when the strike impacts the target, and how much power can you generate while using proper form?
When you become comfortable with stationary targets, transition to moving targets. Have your
training partner move the focus mitts around as you strike. Swing the heavy bag or use a double end bag
that bounces around as you train. At the completion of this level, you will have developed a solid
technique that can be applied with power to a moving target.
The next level of resistance is light sparring. This level involves sparring with a training partner
using light contact and power while moving at about half speed. The goal here is to see if you can apply
your techniques under light pressure with a sparring partner who is uncooperative. Keep your movements
loose and light at this stage and think of it as similar to a game of tag. You simply try to touch your
training partner with your techniques while he is trying to evade or stop you. Your training partner should
also strike back at you to ensure you are keeping your hands up and using proper defense and footwork.
After the light sparring stage, you are ready to increase the resistance level again. The next level
of resistance is moderate sparring. At this level, you should put on proper sparring equipment such as
elbow pads, a mouthpiece, groin protection, and head gear. Personally, I am a proponent of using the least
amount of protective gear possible to ensure safety but at the same time keep the training realistic. With
that said, you don’t want to hurt your training partner, or injure yourself and cause your training to be
delayed while you heal.
For Elbow Boxing sparring, at a bare minimum, I recommend purchasing a pair of elbow pads similar
to the ones shown in the below picture. They are fairly inexpensive and can easily be carried in a gym
bag. I also recommend a mouthpiece that can be obtained in just about any sporting goods store. You
want the elbow pads to fit fairly snug without cutting off the circulation. If they are too loose, they will
slide around during sparring and become useless. The pair I use that are shown below actually have a
Velcro strap that allows them to be tightened above the elbow.
 Elbow Pads for Sparring
Moderate sparring is the ideal level of resistance to focus most of your training on. It allows you to
practice your offensive and defensive skills at about seventy-five percent speed and power. This gives you
a realistic sense of training and confidence in your ability to use your skills against an attacker. However,
we are not done yet. When you begin to feel comfortable at this level of training, it is now time to expand
your resistance training outward before you continue to advance upward to the level of full resistance and
contact.

Expansion of Resistance
At this stage in your training, you could move directly into full contact sparring with a training partner
however by expanding your resistance training first, you will increase your overall skill set and ensure
you are not overly focused on one aspect of your arsenal. Expansion will also make you a more rounded
fighter and better prepared for any situation that might occur. So, what do we mean by expansion of
resistance?
Expansion of resistance is broadening the scope of your training to include variables beyond simple
one on one sparring. For example, let’s say you are studying to be a pilot and learning to fly a plane. You
could be content with flying only on days when the weather is nice. You might get very good at taking off,
flying maneuvers, and landing during beautiful weather. But what happens when you are flying and
suddenly a thunderstorm hits, or high winds come up before you can land? If you don’t expand your
training to include these situations, you won’t be prepared when they occur.
The first step to expansion of resistance training is adding elements to your sparring that change the
dynamics and require adaptation. For example, you might spar with one arm immobilized as if you were
injured or you might spar empty handed against a training partner who is armed with a weapon. One of
the first variations of sparring that is usually done in Elbow Boxing is fighting with your back to a wall.
The only thing that limits your expansion of resistance is your own imagination.

The Stress Component

One vital element to making your skills functional is the stress component. Because real encounters are
extremely stressful, you must incorporate stress into your training in order to make your skills functional.
The number one way to introduce stress into your training is to add unknowns. This can be
accomplished by sparring with new people who you don’t know. You should always take the opportunity to
practice with people who are more skilled than you are so you can truly advance and grow as a martial
artist.
Another excellent way to add an element of stress to your training is to create sparring scenarios.
Rather than just putting on the pads and going toe to toe, create random scenarios that the people who
are engaged in the sparring are unaware of. Have a bystander randomly jump into the sparring session to
assist one of the combatants. Spar in a dark room with limited lighting, or out on wet grass. Expanding
upon your training by adding stress levels will ensure that you continue to advance in your skills.
The below chart shows the path to functionality in its entirety. If you are not covering all of the
levels, your functionality will suffer. Many martial artists today never go beyond the first two or three
levels. They are content with just learning techniques, hitting targets, and maybe light sparring. Don’t
make this mistake in your training. Don’t be the pilot who only flies the plane in perfect conditions with
no training on flying in bad weather. Or worse yet, the pilot who has only ever flown the plane in a
simulator.

Safety
As you take your sparring sessions to a higher level, never lose focus on safety. Adding variables, stress
levels, and expanding your resistance can sometimes lead to injury. Minor injuries such as bumps, bruises
or an occasional black eye or bloody nose are to be expected at higher levels of training, but keep in mind
that more significant injuries will hinder your training and come back to haunt you later in life. Always
keep a first aid kit nearby and have a person designated as a safety monitor to watch over the training
session when higher levels of resistance are involved.

Elbow Boxing Sparring

Now that we have outlined the path to functionality, let’s take a closer look at basic sparring in Elbow
Boxing. This is the level where you have trained your skills with a cooperative partner, and it is time to up
the level of resistance a notch.
At the basic level of sparring your goal is not to win a match or hurt your opponent, but rather to try
and successfully execute your techniques against an unwilling partner who is capable of striking back.
For basic sparring you should keep your movements light with low to moderate contact. If you find that
you are having trouble landing certain techniques, slow down and evaluate what you might be doing
wrong.
Start your sparring session by putting on your safety gear and designating the area where you will
engage one another. Use a timer and start with one or two-minute rounds at first with a one-minute rest
in between. I highly recommend using a camera to record your session so that you can clearly see errors
you might be making as you spar. It is also very satisfying to go back and look at old training videos
several months down the road to see how much you have improved.
In the beginning, start by only using elbow techniques at close range. My instructor used to have us
spar while toe to toe with one another and not allow us to move our feet at first. At close range, you have
less time to react to your training partner’s techniques so your speed will naturally increase. This type of
sparring will really bring out your upper body movement and evasion skills.
When your Elbow Boxing skills improve after going toe to toe for a while, then start to incorporate
footwork. At this point you can add basic boxing hand techniques and low line kicks to your sparring
sessions. Below are some brief examples taken from a light sparring session.

Sparring Toe-to-Toe
Sparring toe-to-toe is one of the first methods of sparring in Elbow Boxing. Start by facing your training
partner in a boxer’s posture with the toes of your lead foot touching your training partner’s toes. Set a
timer for two minutes and spar using only elbow techniques. You and your partner’s feet must remain in
contact until the time on the clock expires. You may rest for one minute and then repeat for as many
rounds as you like.
You will find that sparring toe-to-toe is very difficult. You will want to move your legs and use
footwork at first but avoid that temptation. When you are able to go toe to toe, use your Elbow Boxing
skills, and not give up ground, then start to increase your range and footwork and incorporate more
techniques. After training in this manner for a while, techniques at longer range will be much easier to
cope with.
In the below example, the person in black leans his upper body back to avoid a round elbow strike.
He then moves back in and covers against a rear round elbow strike. He follows up with an upward elbow
strike from the rear and a lead round elbow strike while trapping the training partner’s arm.

Increased Distance Sparring

When you feel confident at the toe-to-toe range, increase the distance, and utilize footwork when you
spar. Continue to focus mainly on elbow techniques but start to incorporate hand strikes and kicking
techniques as well.
In the below photographs, the Elbow Boxers have increased the distance between them for sparring.
The fighter in the light-colored shirt throws a lead jab which the fighter in black stops with a limb
destruction. The fighter in black rolls off of the limb destruction and enters with a lead elbow strike while
checking the arm. The fighter in the light-colored shirt defends against the lead elbow with an inside
elbow deflection. The fighter in black then drops down and delivers a dropping elbow strike to the
training partner’s thigh. These movements were done totally at random during light sparring while the
camera man took the photos. Neither practitioner knew what the other person was going to do.

Incorporating Other Skills

As you advance in your sparring, start to incorporate more techniques into your sessions. For example,
include ground fighting and takedowns. At this stage, I typically train with MMA type gloves that allow
for grabbing with the hands in addition to striking. Eventually you want to reach the point where you are
sparring with an “anything goes” mentality. As you work towards making your techniques more
functional, keep in mind that Elbow Boxing is the core of your fighting system. It is the glue that binds all
of the other elements together and allows you to seamlessly transition between all of your techniques
when fighting. The below series of photos show moderate sparring utilizing all skills. These photos show
just a brief two second snapshot of a three-minute sparring round. In this snapshot the elbow boxer in
black defends against a lead punch from his training partner with a hairbrush cover. He then traces in
with a lead jab of his own followed by a cross to the body. The training partner responds with a diagonal
elbow strike. The elbow boxer defends against the diagonal elbow strike with a front cover and rolls into
his own diagonal elbow. This level of sparring should be done at three quarters speed with moderate
contact for the best results in developing your skills.
 Conclusion
My ultimate goal in writing this book has been to share some of the techniques and concepts from
Elbow Boxing that I was lucky enough to learn in my life. I want to codify this information in the manner
that I learned it for my sons and for others who are interested in this truly effective fighting method.
After I wrote The Brutal Art of Elbow Boxing , I received some criticism that there was nothing new
or original in the book. This is actually a true statement. I never claimed to have invented these
techniques or to have come up with a new fighting system. I am simply sharing what I learned. We are all
inspired from the knowledge and experience of others. I doubt there is any fighting method in existence
that is actually new and hasn’t been used in some form or fashion throughout history.
With that being said, I do believe that Elbow Boxing is unique among many martial arts because of
the mindset and manner in which the techniques are employed. Between 1989 and 2009, there were a
number of occasions where I needed the skills that I have shared with you in my books and Elbow Boxing
never let me down. I sincerely hope that you never need to use these skills, but if you do and you have put
in the time and effort to develop them, I am confident they will serve you well. I sincerely hope you have
enjoyed the book.

God Bless!
Chuck Callaway
 About the Author
Chuck Callaway is a martial artist with over forty years of experience in the fighting arts. He holds black
belts is several systems including, Tang Soo Do, Molum Combat Arts, and Filipino Arnis. He has trained
extensively in Jiujitsu, Judo, Kung-Fu, Boxing, Kali, and Tai Chi. In 1987, he met Sifu Vic Butler who
taught him the devastating art of elbow boxing, Goshin Budo Jiujitsu, and Molum Combat Arts. After years
of intense training, Chuck earned his 3rd degree black belt from Sifu Butler. In addition to his study of
traditional martial arts, Chuck received training in hand-to-hand combat and weapons skills while serving
as a Security Police Specialist in the military. In 1991, he won a gold medal boxing in the Police Olympics.
He was also a certified defensive tactics instructor for law enforcement and has taught martial arts to
private students for decades. He continues his lifelong journey of learning and training in the martial arts.