Elbow strike is one of the most effective strikes for self defense. You can do elbow strike in different ways. So how should you do elbow strike? Is it better to do elbow strikes with an open hand or fist?

![Elbow strikes with an open hand or closed fist.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSw1dQo52iff8gU7UhMbDGi72B3LbUDmb4zRawzsG6Zj6/Elbow%20strikes%20with%20an%20open%20hand%20or%20closed%20fist.jpg)
<sub>[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/muay-thai-mma-boxing-fighter-sport-2052841/)</sub>

When you learn martial arts and learn how to do elbow strikes for the first time, you usually do as your instructor says. That's what we do. No matter how you do elbow strike, you hit with your elbow. Elbow is hard, you can make some serious damage doing elbow strikes.  

You might see that when people do elbow strikes, most people keep their hands open and some people close their fist. You hit with elbows, does it make any difference?

The moment you close your fist, you can see your shoulder is tight. When you keep your hands open, you are more relaxed. To do elbow strikes, you need to move your hands, it is better to keep your shoulder and hands in a normal position. 

![fist when punch.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXyTXwYTsMLit2UWvTB3av5tLxRNanj2Khvq6P8LTpNQy/fist%20when%20punch.png)
<sub>[Source](https://pixabay.com/vectors/fist-human-clenched-fight-295159/)</sub>

Sometimes you need to be relaxed in a fight. Sometimes you have to be hard when you strike. If you punch, you should close your fist, that's for sure. You can keep your hands open but the moment you hit with a punch, your hands should be a fist.

When your hands are open, you can move your hands fast and do elbow strikes. And you do not feel tense that you usually feel when you close your fist. You can see the difference. So it is better to keep your hands open when you do elbow strikes. 

You can hit someone doing elbow strikes with a closed fist. It is not that you cannot hit with a closed fist. It is up to you how you think, and want to do it. Please feel free to share your opinions in the comment section.

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