Quote:
	
	
		
			
				
					Originally Posted by  Battara
					 
				 
				I'm still trying to figure out why the "elbow" - is it to relieve the stress of impact? 
			
		 | 
	
	
 I think the angle helps with the slicing effect of the blow. Somewhat like a curved saber--the hand is ahead of the "sweet spot" of the blade, and tends to draw the edge across the subject rather than being a purely chopping action.