If you have a desire to learn the sport of boxing, also known as the "sweet science," the jab is a fast-paced long-range punch that will determine your destiny on the boxing ring. It can also be the box you throw most often because while it's one of the weaker punches, it can help you win by pointing rather than knockouts. More than 90% of the boxing punches thrown by the great Muhammad Ali were jabs. The goal of the jab is to keep your opponent away from you, give him a slight sting, tire him out slowly, and give him a stronger punch.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Master a boxing stance
We'll be using the left jab throughout this article – for the right jab, it's the other way around. So for now, place your left foot in front of your right, right foot slightly angled outward, pointing at your opponent. put your hands up to protect your chin, tuck your elbows in, chin down, and make sure your hips are over your feet.
- It is important that you keep your body and hands relaxed. Bend your knees slightly and lift your heels slightly. Jump up and down, become comfortable with this position. Make sure your feet are shoulder width apart and your front feet are mostly pointing forward and your back feet are mostly pointing out.
- Whichever foot is in front is the side of the hand you use with the jab. A jab is a punch straight out, getting closer to your opponent than a cross.
Step 2. Bend forward with your elbows in and your right hand slightly higher than your left
Your right hand protects your chin, playing defense, while your left hand is up, waiting to attack. If you're taller than your opponent and there's little chance he'll get a direct hit to your face, you can keep it low for better power and visibility. Otherwise, keep it on your chin ready to parry or get in the way.
You are currently in the optimal position for your jab. Now while the jab is coming from your core and not your arms, it's important not to launch yourself with the jab. You won't get a better jab with that. You should feel a little, natural twist, like that
Step 3. Channel your weight forward and hit the jab
Transfer your weight forward and jab. Simultaneously slide your back (right) leg (but don't let it touch the ground) and place your weight on your left leg, throwing your left arm with a strong, fast jab. Kick your entire left side forward while slowly lifting the heel of your left foot slightly. while your right hand is moving forward, your body weight should come forward at the same time.
- Keep your chin under your shoulders. In fact, your shoulders should meet your chin, offering them even more protection than your normal position.
- Throw a punch straight out as if you were punching a pipe. Keep your elbows in and in line with your fists and the rest of your body. There's no part you shouldn't need to stick out – or you're asking for an easy hit.
Step 4. Make sure to turn your palm down
When your hand is held on your chin, your thumb is facing you. but when you're about to jab, rotate your hands so that your palms face down, your thumbs slightly lower than the horizontal. Think of this as a little corkscrew movement. It is in that twist that there is power – like whipping.
Your back hand stays close to your chin this entire time. He is there to protect you
Step 5. As soon as your fist reaches full extension, immediately pull it back to its starting position
"Immediately" is the key word here. You can put your back foot forward, over the limit of your opponent's space, or step back, putting your weight back on your back foot. but don't back down while you jab, or he won't have any power.
Tighten your fists only when hitting. If you do it earlier, you will lose speed and power. It's also a waste of energy, and right after hitting, relax again. Restart your boxing stance or get ready for your next move
Step 6. Estimating the backlash
If you're tall, your goal is to get close enough to deliver a straight right-handed punch. If you're smaller and denser, you'll need a few jabs to get close enough for a hook or uppercut. The jab will help you complete both moves.
Although it is not the most powerful fist, it is the most useful. It defends as well as attacks and is like a tiny spark of power with extremely accurate precision. It can interrupt combinations, measure distances, and prepare you for a knockout hit. It can also be very, very distracting. Experiment with your fists in different conditions
Part 2 of 3: Studying Variations
Step 1. Using a tapper jab
It's really just a diversion. It distracts your opponent, forces him to defend, and gives you another chance to attack. You don't use a lot of force on the tapper jab – hence the name. You only give your opponent a light tap while you add to it with your hand.
In this situation, it's common to tap your opponent's glove with your left hand and then throw a punch to the face or an uppercut to the opponent's body. The tapper jab is preparation for a longer combination of attacks
Step 2. Do a double jab
Since your opponent knows what the jab is usually used for, you can really hit him with a double jab. He expects you to jab with your left hand and then throw a big punch with your right – but no, no, no. With a double jab, you hit him left, left, and he won't know what hit him. Literally.
A double jab can also solve the mess when you and your partner are both stuck in 1-2 combinations. You both hit the jab, with you left hand and when he hits with his right, your left hand parries and you get a point, even if it's a hook. And you can do multiple moves forwards, sideways, and backwards too
Step 3. Use different levels
You could just jab your opponent in the face, but why stop there? Experiment with high, medium, and low jabs. High to the face, medium to the torso, and low – where you bend low at the knees, dodge the fists and strike your opponent in the stomach. The main principle remains the same.
Step 4. Using a counter jab
When your opponent throws his right hand at your face, you block it with your right hand and, because the opponent's left hand is unprotected, you throw a quick jab with your left and boom! Points. This sounds simple, but you have to make sure that you are fast and relaxed. You must reply as soon as possible. No time to blink!
You need to think about your feet with this one; if you plan your reply or get tensed with expectations, you will slow down, lose steam, and your opponent will be able to read you. stay alert, keep your head behind you just in case he continues with his right hand, and back off if necessary
Step 5. Hit the jab, back off, hit the jab
If you can jab and then back off, your opponent may throw his right hand and miss. And then, like a fox, you get back in there and throw in another jab – something he probably didn't expect. Agility and speed are also important here. Make sure he can't read you and continue with a loud shot when he's off guard.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Beginner Mistakes
Step 1. Keep your elbows in line with your fists
If there's one thing you know about boxing, it's probably that you want to take as few punches as possible. So when it comes to jabs, it's absolutely essential to keep your elbows inside as you punch. Your opponents can easily see from side to side – the ups and downs are hard to spot. If your elbow is swinging at your side, you're asking to be hit.
One thing on the top-down plane. There is no left and right when it comes to your elbows. When you think the punch is coming from your body and not from your fist, it's easier to aim
Step 2. Don't launch your body weight
Yes, a punch comes from your legs, hips and stomach. when you just "push" your punch, there's no power in it. But at the same time, you are, without meaning to, launching your body weight forward. A punching bag may show that you have strength, but a real live opponent will be able to quickly attack when you are unbalanced and tense.
- Weight does not equal strength. A lot of muscular guys go to the gym and strain their muscles and think that's the way to go – and then they run out of energy and there's no defensive game. The skinny and tiny boxer has passion for a reason.
- Think of an iron rod running down the back of your body. It will keep you in compromised position and technique.
Step 3. Don't just rely on your arms
Most of your strength comes from channeling your body weight and upward movement through your abs. You put your weight forward, up onto your torso, and expelled through your arms. if you just punch with your arm, then you're, well, hitting like a girl.
The only thing in your arm – your hand, actually – is the final jolt, like whipping. An upward jolt should be felt by the hinge joint of your fist, completing it
Step 4. Continue punching
If you stay relaxed to the point of impact and rotate your arms, palms down, shoulders toward your chin, you should have a natural feeling of strength. Use that sensing to punch right through anything you get into. Your power and strength doesn't stop once you hit your opponent – you need to feel that energy to pull your right hand back into place for the next point.
Tips
- Look for the perfect opportunity to lay down your jab. Don't waste your power hitting the air.
- Train on heavy bags to gain strength. You should hear a loud pop echoing through the room. If it's not hard enough, jerk your hand a little more or use more stomping. Your body weight is what gives your fists strength.
- Don't throw lazy punching punches. Lazy boxing punches are characterized by a lack of speed, jerk and intent. A good boxer will punch up a lazy jab and knock you out.
- Practice speed. The jab should sting the opponent and leave him a little confused. This is not a knockout boxing.
- Swap the words "left" and "right" for a left-handed person (a left-handed boxer).
- Regardless of where you put your left hand, never lower your right hand, even when you're punching. A good boxer will knock you out with a left hook.
- Use this fist to get a feel for your opponent's style. If he's a counter-boxer, he has a certain way of dealing with a jab that you need to learn before you hit the knockout. Mistakes are very expensive in boxing.
- If you land a clean jab, follow it with a right straight or left hook as a knockout. Generally, the taller, longer boxer chooses the earlier, shorter, and denser boxer to finish.
- Perform this punch when your opponent is actually an arm's length away. If he gets closer and he dodges or parries, you'll open yourself up to a right straight or a left hook (ouch!)
Warning
- If you are even an amateur boxer, never punch someone without gloves otherwise your personal safety is in danger. You can cause brain damage or even death. This can lead to criminal charges and/or lawsuits.
- When practicing, always wear gloves and protective equipment.
