Jab

A jab is a type of punch used in the martial arts. Several variations of the jab exist, but every jab shares these characteristics: while in a fighting stance, the lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended from the side of the torso. This process also involves a quick turn of the torso. It is an overhand punch; at the moment of impact, the pronated fist is generally held in a horizontal orientation with the palm facing the ground.

For other uses, see Jab (disambiguation).
Jab (Straight punch)
A jab
Also known as Albanian: Direkt

Brazil: Direto

Burmese: Pyon Latt-di

Chinese: 前手直拳

Czech: Direkt

Dutch: Directe

Estonian: Sirge

French: Direct (bras avant)

German: Gerade

Hebrew: ישרה

Italian: Diretto

Japanese: Kizami zuki / Jun zuki (Choku zuki)

Polish: Prosty

Romanian: Directă (braţ faţă)

Russian：Джеб

Serbian: Предњи директ (кец)

Thai: Mud Trong

Vietnamese: Đấm quai hàm.
FocusStriking

Etymology

The word jab was first used in 1825, to mean "to thrust with a point." The term is a Scottish variant of the word job, which means "to strike, pierce, thrust."[1]

Uses for the jab

Defense

A jab is an integral part of a fighter's defense. Its speed and power of execution and reach can keep the opponent at a distance, preventing him from charging in. Defensive jabs can be employed while moving backwards.

Speed jab

This jab gives a fighter high mobility and is often used with the intention of scoring points. Fighters use this variation of the jab when they want to preserve the mobility and balance of their stance.

Rangefinding jab

Used in order to establish a feeling for distance, the rangefinding jab is often used to set up a power punch with the other hand. Thus it can help conserve stamina and lower the risk of being countered by allowing the fighter to commit his stronger hand only when he is within proper range.

Boxers have been wobbled by a rangefinding jab.[2]

Power jab

Power can be added to a jab if it is thrown with a moderate step forward. The drawback to this technique is that it takes the fighter out of his boxing stance, committing him to the punch rather more than the speed jab. A "pivot jab" is the most powerful jab, one in which the weight shifts almost entirely to the lead foot, which pivots to put the mass of the body behind the punch. Jabbing from the hip, rather than from a tight guard, will add power to the jab at the expense of speed.[3]

Jab to the body

Jabbing to the body is relatively uncommon, because it increases a fighter's vulnerability to a counterpunch. Typically, the fighter bends at the waist and fires a speed jab to the midsection of his opponent in an attempt at getting the opponent to drop his guard. It is impractical to put the body weight behind this punch, so power is limited. The jab to the body can be used effectively to counter the opponents lead jab.

Jab combinations
  • Jabs are often doubled up in an attempt at getting the opponent to compromise his guard.
  • "Jabbing on the fly" is a point-scoring maneuver that employs a quick series of speed jabs thrown by a circling fighter.
  • Most combinations start with a jab as a way of closing the distance and finding the proper range. In this context, the jab is referred to as a "set-up jab".
  • Many fighters end their combinations with a jab that is designed to stifle counterpunches.


  • Jab with full crouch
  • Jab with side stance
  • Jab in counterpunch
  • Jab for the stop

Historians consider some of the best jabbers in history to be Sonny Liston, Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali, Hector Camacho, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Recent master jabbers include Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko, both coached by the same trainer and able to develop significant power into their jabs. Holmes' jab has often been called "the best among Heavyweights", Ali's jab was famous for its speed[4] and Liston's for its power.[5] Mike Tyson used a rare version of a slip jab, that allowed him to jab effectively against taller opponents with longer reach.[6]

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See also

References
  1. "Jab". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  2. "Vitali Klitschko vs. Tamasz Adamek". Abload GIF. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  3. Johnny N (June 30, 2010). "The 5 Types of Jabs". ExpertBoxing.com. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  4. "The Boxer". 2012 Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  5. "East Side Boxing". East side Boxing. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  6. Vasquez, Ricardo (June 22, 2016). "The Science of Mike Tyson and Elements of Peek-A-Boo: part II (jab section)". SugarBoxing.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
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