Enpi uchi , enpi ate or hiji uchi (elbow strikes)

Enpi uchi (猿臂打ち) , enpi ate (猿臂当て) or hiji uchi (肘打ち) , is a set of forceful techniques in which the elbows, or ulnas , are used . In the interest of truth and terminological rigor, such techniques should not be classified as "blows", since they refer to those blows applied with the hands but in indirect trajectories. ^[ 2 ]

In fact, they should be classified directly as ate waza , which is why some people even call them enpi ate . On the other hand, in different organizations these techniques are grouped as enpi waza (猿臂技) . However, that group includes not only the blunt techniques but also those of immobilization , or katame waza .

Naturally, elbow strikes should only be applied at close range, offensively or defensively. What is interesting is that they are very versatile, as they can have a trajectory, come and go from any point. Since the impact area is strong and resistant in itself , the fighter feels comfortable, but they are only very effective when applied in relation to the tandem and with the participation of this point; when they have a lateral trajectory, they must be applied inexorably with the rotation of the waist.

• Tate enpi uchi (立て猿臂打ち) , or age enpi uchi (揚げ猿臂打ち) is executed in an upward trajectory. The attacking arm is held in a clenched fist close to the body and close to the waistline, in a hikite position , and the elbow rises in a straight line towards the target.
  • Tate enpi uchi hen (立て猿臂打ち辺) : with the palm of the hand pointing towards the head.
  • Tate enpi uchi omote (立て猿臂打ち表) : with the palm of the hand pointing towards the shoulders.
• Mawashi enpi uchi (回し猿臂打ち) is performed by moving the limb in a circular path towards the target. The initial position of the fist is the same as that of Tate Empi Uchi .
  • Mae mawashi enpi uchi (前回し猿臂打ち) : the target is in front of the fighter and, when executing the movement, the wrist rotates around itself.
  • Ushiro mawashi enpi uchi (後ろ回し猿臂打ち) : the target is behind the fighter and, when executing the movement, the wrist makes a half turn around itself; in truth, the fist comes out of a standing position, or tate .
• Naname enpi uchi (斜め猿臂打ち) has a trajectory with an intermediate movement between age enpi uchi and mawashi enpi uchi , that is, the elbow follows an upward diagonal trajectory.
• Enpi shita uchi (猿臂下打ち) , elbow strike with a downward trajectory.
• Yoko enpi uchi (横猿臂打ち) has a linear lateral movement trajectory.
• Otoshi enpi uchi (落し猿臂打ち) is performed in a downward trajectory.
• Ushiro enpi uchi (後ろ猿臂打ち) is performed backwards and can even be confused with the hikite movement.