Elbow block

[Nevinyrral]

I just wanted to know what arts allow blocking with your elbow and what arts dont allow it.

[StrangeBacon]

I know we do, its a form of karate.

Muay Thai seems a logical choice too although i dont have too much experience with it.

[DWx]

We do (TKD) in non-sport sparring. But it does get used in competition too. In competition you're not supposed to but if someone catches it with their foot or shin "by accident"...

[brickshooter]

I can't think of a MA that disallows it. Even the sporting competitive ones.

[Excoastie]

I think it's a natural inclination to drop the elbow to help protect the ribs. I think it would take years and years of consciously making yourself not do so to overcome this inclination.

Exco

[bushido_man96]

I think it's a natural inclination to drop the elbow to help protect the ribs. I think it would take years and years of consciously making yourself not do so to overcome this inclination.

Exco

I agree. I also agree with DWx...those elbows have a tendecy to get in the way at times.

It is a pretty natural reaction to body shots, and is very reliable. I can't think of any style that has specific rules against it in sparring.

[Nevinyrral]

Oh, its good to hear. My senpais were really upset when I blocked their kick with my elbows, But I did it without thinking.

[joesteph]

Oh, its good to hear. My senpais were really upset when I blocked their kick with my elbows, But I did it without thinking.

I was wondering if this would be said. It isn't that the sport may specifically rule it out, although as Danielle said, it might be in tournament rules; it's likely that the instructors may discourage it.

How do they expect you to block, Nevinyrral? Is there an "approved" way?

I remember when I first sparred in a non-contact art, using elbows and shins just to block. People banged away at me, complained of pain, and though I thought to myself that we wear no gear for protection, and if it's non-contact, how much force was used in the strike that wasn't supposed to land, I eventually did what was approved. It was to sidestep and block with the arm, or just sidestep.

Edit: Shortened the post

Edited September 25, 2010 by joesteph

[ninjanurse]

I've never come across an elbow block being banned in sparring however I will say that in a friendly class learning environment I have always considered it rude to deliberately smash your elbow downward onto the top your your partners foot.

[ShoriKid]

Oh, its good to hear. My senpais were really upset when I blocked their kick with my elbows, But I did it without thinking.

It's a natural reaction. I can't see why they're upset other than it may have hurt and they weren't expecting it. Unless someone laid out a rule that says no hard blocking and told you ahead of time it wasn't your fault. Forearms, elbows and shins are natural blocking surfaces on the body.