Kickboxing: The Jab (From Initiation To Knockout)

The jab is a straight punch thrown with your lead hand, normally your left hand, since most of us are right-handed and kickboxers, like boxers, fight with their stronger side to the rear. It is also the most basic and often used punch in kickboxing. Note that all techniques are explained from a left fighting stance. If you are left-handed, also called southpaw, and fight with your right side forward, you need to reverse the following descriptions. 

The jab has two primary missions: 

1. Seek out your opponent and establish distance. Once this is achieved, you know that you can reach him with your rear hand as well.

2. Create openings for your slower and more powerful rear techniques, like the rear cross and rear leg roundhouse kick.

Since your lead hand is closer to the target than your rear hand, it is naturally faster than most other techniques and should therefore be used often and effectively.

Untrained kickboxers often throw their strikes using arm power only. A well executed jab, on the other hand, relies on synchronization between your lower and upper body. The punch originates in your lower body, allowing you to use the strength of your legs. Your lead foot pushes off against the floor and pivots to add momentum to your hips, which, in turn, strengthen your shoulders and add power to the punch. The quick jab is used as a “feeler,” and the power jab is used to hurt your opponent. Rotating your foot and body should be more pronounced when throwing the power jab.

A common mistake when using the quick jab as a feeler is to throw it half-heartedly. By twisting your wrist to the horizontal position just prior to impact with the target, your hand becomes like a drill pushing through your opponent’s guard. Not only does this increase the power of the strike but also the accuracy, enabling you to take small and well-guarded targets. Accurate jabbing also causes a lot of anxiety in your opponent.

 

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