Mae Empi Uchi Meaning in Karate

Mae Empi Uchi is a powerful karate strike that translates to the forward elbow strike for close range. The practitioner swings the elbow in a horizontal or slightly upward path toward the head of the opponent. This technique is extremely effective when the two fighters are standing very close to each other in battle. It uses the hard bone of the elbow to deliver a massive amount of force to a target. The other hand usually pulls back to the hip to add more rotational power to the torso. A student strikes a padded target with a forward elbow during a high intensity power drill. Rotating the heels and the hips together generates the necessary momentum for a truly effective strike. This move serves as a great follow up after a block or a grab.