Rear Over-the-Top Elbow

How to throw it

Throw the rear elbow over the top (sok tong), looping it high across the guard with full hip rotation behind it and dropping the point onto the target. Turn the rear shoulder and hip all the way through, and let your weight fall into the strike as it chops down. Guard with the lead hand and cut with the tip of the elbow.

When to use it

Use it at close range against a high guard, arcing the rear elbow over the hands with the full turn of the hips behind it. The rotation makes it one of the heaviest elbows you can land and a strong cutter over the top.

Common mistakes

• Rotating the arm without the hip, which strips away most of the power
• Looping it too wide and telegraphing the arc
• Landing with the forearm instead of driving the point down onto the target