Do not let someone do this to you.

[JowGaWolf]

I came across this video today. I'll keep it short. Do not let anyone elbow you in the chest like this,. The power is primarily driven by body weight. Even if the elbow is resting lightly on someone's chest, it can cause serious damage. To safely experience this, use a padded surface instead of direct contact with the chest. Even with the pad do not strike with full or half force. Practicing this technique regularly increases efficiency, but also raises the risk of injury, as it becomes harder to control the force. Eventually, there’s no “soft” version of this move—it’s always impactful, even if it doesn’t feel hard. My training tool for this technique was a heavy bag that I would frequently knock into the wall. That's my safety tip for today.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

This is a good example that your "upward block" may cause problem for you. When you use upward block to block your opponent's punch, your opponent can use his other arm to re-block your upward block, he can then change his punch into an elbow strike to your chest.

Eventually, all single blocking is dangerous if your opponent knows how to use "switch hands". Your opponent's "re-block your block" can help you to block more than you want to.

Both upward block and downward block can expose yourself. Should both blocks even have any reason to exist in MA? IMO, both blocks should combine with punch.

 

[isshinryuronin]

When you use upward block to block your opponent's punch, your opponent can use his other arm to re-block your upward block, he can then change his punch into an elbow strike to your chest.

This is not a problem in my style and other old traditional Ok. karate. Three reasons why:

1. The block is done on a vert. and horiz. angle so the punch is deflected to the outside.

2. We block deep on the arm which increases the angle of deflection as well as disrupts the attacker's balance. Also, being so close into the opponent, it's hard for him to gain control of your blocking arm.

3. After the block, that arm can come down with you own elbow strike to the chest. Or the block can be extended even more and morph into a forearm or fist strike to the opponent's face, so with the one motion, both defense and offense is accomplished.

Much of Ok. karate doctrine was designed to prevent the opponent from countering.

all single blocking is dangerous if your opponent knows how to use "switch hands". Your opponent's "re-block your block" can help you to block more than you want to.

I fully agree with these points.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Elbow - Zhou - 1 of the 8 techniques of the 13 postures if Taijiquan

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

2. We block deep on the arm ...

If your upward block can pass your opponent's elbow joint and block below his upper arm, his elbow strike won't work on you.

This is one of my favor attacks. The punch is just a fake.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I came across this video today. I'll keep it short. Do not let anyone elbow you in the chest like this,. The power is primarily driven by body weight. Even if the elbow is resting lightly on someone's chest, it can cause serious damage. To safely experience this, use a padded surface instead of direct contact with the chest. Even with the pad do not strike with full or half force. Practicing this technique regularly increases efficiency, but also raises the risk of injury, as it becomes harder to control the force. Eventually, there’s no “soft” version of this move—it’s always impactful, even if it doesn’t feel hard. My training tool for this technique was a heavy bag that I would frequently knock into the wall. That's my safety tip for today.

That is Baji Quan. It is a ramming technique. Very effective.