The Sharpshooter

The jab is generally used defensively to keep an opponent off balance; so they can’t strike you. Sometimes it is used offensively to setup a follow on punch such as a hook, cross or even a leg strike.

Properly delivered the jab screens your opponent’s vision and temporally breaks his balance.

Delivered improperly it is nothing more than a convenient handle which your opponent can use to control your body.

Delivery:

So how do you deliver a jab? It’s really a simple and straight forward punch. From the guard position you extend your lead hand to the fully extended position. Generally the target is your opponents head, but it can be delivered against other targets. After contact you retract it as quickly as possible to the ready position. Ensure that the path traveled is straight back, not downward.

Make sure that you are putting more of you weight on your lead foot than your rear foot. Don’t lean too far forward or you will put yourself off balance. It’s much more difficult to throw a follow up technique if you have too much weight on your rear foot.

Most people target their opponents head, but the jab can be effectively used against the body.

Common Mistakes:

Many people will leave their jab hanging out in space for a short period of time; others drop the punch towards their waist after impact. Both techniques leave you open to counter strikes and submissions.

Leave it out too long and your opponent will grab onto it and control you. Dropping it down to your waist leaves you open to an opponents hook or cross.

Power or Speed:

The jab is considered a speed punch as it lacks the power of a properly delivered hook, cross or overhand punch. You almost never see a boxer or marital artist knocked out by a jab.

A trick I was taught early in my martial arts training was to put my power hand forward. I can punch much harder with my left hand so my jab was greatly improved. The theory is that if you show a harder jab, your opponent will wonder just how hard the rest of your punches are.

Personally, I haven’t seen anyone in a martial arts bout noticing anything. I have noticed that it can intimidate some of the more inexperienced fighters you might meet in a street fight.

Properly delivered the jab is a great way to set up your opponent for various follow-up techniques. Use it often and you’ll cause your opponent plenty of headaches.