Boxing Jab

[Reyaj]

as I am studying boxing I have a question on the jab. Any boxers (ie:clooney etc.) who can give me advise is appreciated.


There is this instructor saying that when you throw the jab, you should throw it with a twist so your thumb is facing the ground.

I am not used to jabbing like this and it kind of hurts my shoulder (like when you throw a baseball the wrong way)

Is this correct?

This instructor is a pro but only fought 3 times. He is 1 and 3. The only win was a decision and he was knocked out once and lost a decision.

 

[red_headed_stepchild]

Try rotating your elbow along with your fist. That should take the pressure off the shoulder and bring the shoulder up to protect your chin when you throw it. I think that's why he's having you do it.

I don't jab that way. I don't like it. I tend to throw mine palm down. Make sure you're doing it correctly too. You might just have bad form right now. Ask your coach! That's what he's there for; to help you.

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

Turn the fist, but I dont turn it all the way so the thumb faces the floor.

A really good tip for using the jab is to make sure that in its maximum extension you are looking down your arm like you ar aiming a rifle, this keeps you from looping and it helps you raise your shoulder so you protect your neck.

 

[sjchris]

About 3/4ths through the extension of your arm, snap your wrist.

Put your entire body into the motion, good punches begin at your legs and the power accumulates from the bottom up.

Bounce forward off your back foot when you jab.

Practice on the heavy bag and speed back.

 

[CLOONEY]

About 3/4ths through the extension of your arm, snap your wrist.

Put your entire body into the motion, good punches begin at your legs and the power accumulates from the bottom up.

Bounce forward off your back foot when you jab.

Practice on the heavy bag and speed back.

Hey Jayer.

This dude put it well.

Your wrist and arm should snap over and flick out, bu your waste and left foot should turn also to some extent. Also practice pushing off your right foot (assuming your Orthadox) and stepping into your jab, this will add range and create power. Then practice jumping back out of that killzone (pushing back, off your left foot and hoping back onto your right foot).

 

[Shiftkey]

I've been boxing for about 2 years. I don't punch like that and I've never heard of that.

You should be more focused on footwork and shifting your core if you want proper technique.

 

[CLOONEY]

I've been boxing for about 2 years. I don't punch like that and I've never heard of that.

You should be more focused on footwork and shifting your core if you want proper technique.

Its very complex, but it should feel natural if your doing it right. Footwork will help you move while throwing punches, and help you keep balance (i.e. not loosing points by KDs), rotating your core can help you gain speed and bob and weave. But you will need to use your legs if you want to derive power, remember to drive the power up through your body and when your throwing punches, PLANT YOUR FEET! These are the most crucial things if you want to use power behind your punches. Trust me! I was feather fisted, and only used to outscore guys before I learnt the art of power. And let me tell you, its a GREAT feeling when you can see a guys face scrunch up and him know his in trouble from the moment you start to let your hands fly! That being said, power is only a TINY part of boxing, but its something you really need to add to your arsenal if you really want to be respected and a complete fighter!

 

[Shiftkey]

CLOONEY when I said "I don't punch like that" I meant Jayer's description. I agree with what you wrote.

 

[diablo]

Moved to H&F...

 

[Reyaj]

Here is the link to the instructor's method

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky-tYuZR9c0&search=boxing lessons

Like I said when I try to turn my wrist like he is showing it hurts my shoulder

Up until now I've basically been throwing my jab from my chin in a straight manner. I appreciate all the advice but I guess I'm having a hard time understanding what you mean by "snap your wrist"

I guess I would have to see it...

I hear what you are saying about moving your feet somewhat when you throw it, but then you are saying its better to throw punches flat footed... so again I'm kinda confused....

 

[Skilla_Staz]

If he is 1-3 thats 4 fights not 3.

I'm not a boxer, but when I jab my thumb is about at a 45 degree angle, in between the "palm flat" and "thumb pointing to the groun" area. I get more snap like that.

You should never throw a punch flat footed, you should also use your legs for power, just as you would never try to tackle somebody flat footed

try to remian on the balls of your feet somewhat.

 

[CLOONEY]

If he is 1-3 thats 4 fights not 3.

I'm not a boxer, but when I jab my thumb is about at a 45 degree angle, in between the "palm flat" and "thumb pointing to the groun" area. I get more snap like that.

You should never throw a punch flat footed, you should also use your legs for power, just as you would never try to tackle somebody flat footed

try to remian on the balls of your feet somewhat.

Exactly. Dont throw punches flat footed, make sure you PLANT YOUR FEET. Their different. If you have been sparring a lot, you will know what I mean. You can dance around, dart in and out quickly trying to score, that is fine, but when your on the inside, or unloading a combination, make sure your feet are firmly planted on the floor and your power is coming up through your body. Dont just throw arm punches like so many "fast flashy" guys try to do. You can be fast and flashy with a heck of a lot of power if you know how to use your legs properly.

But if you are trying tricky moves, and trying to score from range, make sure you push off your back foot! It will increase your distance and power, and allow you to score easier from the outside. Go and do a lot of sparring and you will see what I mean. Or just stand further back from your heavybag, and try throw a right hand at the bag, now try again but push off your right foot and make sure you rotate your right hip forwards, you should get a LOT extra range off the lead right. But remember its the sucker punch, so dont try it against good counter punchers unless you have perfected it.

Like I always say though, it takes YEARS of practice to perfect all these things, and after several years of boxing, I still had not perfected them all. You always have to keep working hard to polish up on everything as boxing is probably the most complex sport I have ever competed in (regardless of how many people think it looks simple)! They will soon realise once they get in the ring how hard it is in there!

 

[MrS]

yeah about 3/4 of the way, turn your wrist so its palm down.
when jabbing, lean forward on the front foot. when you let the jab go let your front foot step 6 inches forward.
so you et your weight behind it, don't throw arm punches.

and your trainer was a pro, don't knock him down because of his record.

always aim to hit at about 95% of your arm's length, just under full stretched length.

tuck your chin behind the jabbing arm's shoulder, cover yourself by it.

swing your shoulders into the action a bit, its difficult with a jab rather than a right cross, but that's where that knockout power comes from, your bodyweight behind the punch, not the arm.
twisting of the legs/hips is also very important, get that technique perfected before thinking you know it.

 

[Quagmire911]

With the video you provided that guy is in a stance with his left hand forward and right hand further back, and so his left in that stance is his jabbing arm. I've not done any boxing, but ive done karate for a number of years and although a karate guard is longer the punching technique is very similar. What skilla_staz and clooney have said about not punching flat footed is correct, you want to be "propped" up on the balls and toes of your feet. As for the punch, in the video the guy says dont twist your body or move your feet, I would fully agree with the not moving the feet part but still think there is a "slight" twist of the body involved, remember this is a jab with with your left hand forward in your stance. What the guy in the video says about the punch being a "corkscrew" is very true and explains the motion well. MrS post about aiming to hit at about 95 % is also true this is so as you dont "jar" your arm in the locked out position. MrS also says "about 3/4 of the way, turn your wrist so its palm down" and I would agree with this and dont think what the guy says in the video about the thumb facing downwards it entirley neccassary, maybe only angled slightly downwards.

As for the turning of the body and moving of feet, in this stance with the left hand forward and right hand back, your right arm would be the arm used for this kind of punch. This would be where the punch is not a jab and starts nearer your body and further down. This is where you would twist your body and pivot your feet and "corkscrew" your arm forward so as to get more explosive power into your punch, and pull your left arm back to your waist to aid in the twisting of the body.

Obviously there are different techniques that can be used but you asked about the jab and the left arm is used mainly as the jabbing arm when in that stance.

 

[Reyaj]

Thanx for the responses everyone.

The way I have been throwing my jab has been straight out with my palm facing down. In that video I see how he is turning his fist so that the thumb faces down, but like I said it hurts my shoulder too much and just doesnt feel natual when I do this. So for now I'll stick to my jab for now. When I do throw my jab my left foot picks up a little and so does my back foot, although not that much. I've observed people at the gym and that seems how they were doing it.

When I throw a right hand or a hook I always pivot my foot.

I think I understand what Clooney and Quag mean about planting ones feet. Correct me if I'm wrong but basically when you box you should be on the balls of your foot but once you throw the punches make sure your feet are stationary instead of on the move. Does that sound right?

Well I am going to keep studying these movements till I get them down pact.

 

[Reyaj]

bump

 

[iLoveCookies]

your instructor is right, the thumb shouldnt be going ALL the way to the ground but you do turn your shoulder. there is really no way to explain it I would suggest you watch Clinton Woods box on BBC.com just search there. he has a couple lessons

I had the same problem a couple years ago

 

[protienpowder]

Don't let the rotation of the fist bring your shoulder up. Bring the shoulder up your self. Bring the shoulder up and rotate your first at the same time. I was having the same problem you're having, hurting my shoulder untill I tried this. Im not sure if this makes sense, I guess its sort of a feeling out process.

 

[Reyaj]

proteinpowder thanks for the advice. Your reply makes the most sense as I tried it.

If I just bring my shoulder up, my fist naturally rotates towards the floor...