The spinning elbow — sometimes called the reverse elbow — is one of the most devastating strikes in Muay Thai. It's also one of the easiest to screw up. Land it right and it's a highlight reel finish. Miss it and your back is exposed.
Here's how it works. You take one step to the outside of your opponent's lead leg. That angle matters. You're not stepping straight in — you're getting off the center line so you have a clear path to the target.
From there, you lean slightly, spike the elbow upward, and chop it downward. That spiking motion is the key detail most people skip. Scott Sullivan teaches it this way for a specific reason: if you throw the elbow horizontally, your opponent just throws up a forearm wall and blocks it. But when you spike down, the elbow comes in between their guard. Way harder to defend.
Think about the trajectory. You're not swinging wide like a hook. You're arcing over the top and driving down through the gap in their defense. That's what makes it accurate.
Now here's the part everyone forgets. The second that elbow lands — or misses — you need to get back into fighting position immediately. Your back was exposed during the spin. Just like a spinning backfist, you cannot hang out there. Spin, strike, reset. One motion.
Honestly, I think this is the most underrated elbow in Muay Thai. Most guys only practice the horizontal slashing elbow and never develop the spike. But in close range, that downward angle is what actually gets through.
Drill it slow. Get the footwork dialed in first — step, lean, spike, reset. Then build speed. And always, always get back to your stance.
For more on the fundamentals, check out our complete Muay Thai for beginners guide. Get the full course in the Ultimate Muay Thai Training System.