Ushiro-Hiji-Uchi is the back elbow of Karate. It gets its power from the arm and from the hardness of the elbow. Elbow strikes are banned in sport Kumite and often in full-contact Kumite. It’s to be noted that this it’s not a spinning elbow, it’s more of an hiki-te, so it’s effective only when grabbed or choked by behind, not as a clinching strike.
Traditional execution:
- Get in Heiko Dachi
- Raise your arm behind your head until your elbow is at your nose level
- Make it fall until your hand is at your hip level and at the same time, perform an hiki-te with your other hand
- Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
- While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Ushiro-Hiji-Uchi)
Kumite execution:
- When grabbed from behind, raise your arm behind your head until your elbow is at your nose level
- Make it fall until your hand is at your hip level
- Kiai! if you are competing in point sparring
Where to use (✅ - Use; ❌ - Don’t use; 🟨 - Last resource):
- Sport Kumite: ❌
- Full-Contact Kumite: ✅ (if allowed)
- Self-Defense: ✅
Video examples: