Common Mistakes with the Boxing Jab That Could Be Robbing You of Power or Get You Knocked Out!
by John D. Nottingham Certified Boxing & Kickboxing Coach, K3 Kickboxing Phoenix Phoenix USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing
We've all seen the guy at the gym wearing the Everlast, UnderArmor or TAPOUT shirt grunting Rocky style as he hits the bag. When you get past the show, does he really have any technical boxing skill? After reading this article you'll be able to spot a poser from a skilled boxer or kickboxer and take your boxing hook punch to a whole new level.
Danger - Heavy Hands!
That doesn't mean that well built brawlers aren't dangerous. I've seen some ugly technique that people can make work through pure athleticism, luck or just natural heavy hands with ill intent. However, boxing and kickboxing are skills that are acquired through hard work, correct repetitions and good coaching. True boxing skill has an identifiable finesse that looks smooth rather than labored.
Boxing & Kickboxing Fundamentals Are Earned
The advantage of good technique is that it prevents injury, is much more efficient and enables you to throw numerous combinations with less wasteful inefficiency. In short, you don't gas out as quickly when you are properly trained and don't have to rely on as much natural ability or luck.
The following are some common problems that often occur when throwing a jab:
1. Trying to hit too hard.
A very common mistake is to try to hit too hard when jab punching. While the punch may have emotional content and will power, it is usually very inefficient and leaves you open to a good counter-punch. Inefficient punching can cause you to gas out quickly and run out of steam. Gassing out is a primary reason people lose the will to fight. You may have heard it referred to as "punching himself out". Improper punching compromises balance, defense and leaves you vulnerable in many ways.
2. Punching from the face, neck and shoulders instead of the base.
Shoulder, neck and head focus often leads to turning the head and creating blind spots or exposing the chin. These are both problematic and create some bad juju (fight speak for trouble).
Good boxing and kickboxing technicians emphasize better footwork, base, balance, mechanics and body rotation. Power is derived from kinetic linking, from the ground up into a whip like motion. It requires a good base, mechanical alignment, timed weight shift for energy, and relaxation to create velocity.
3. Telegraphing.
Telegraphing is like holding up a sign to your opponent of your intentions. They are the same as a poker 'tell'. The most common forms of telegraphing are facial expressions such as raising or moving eyebrows, smirking, or sniffing. Others "tells" include touching the nose with the glove, hitting gloves together, making an adjustment of headgear or equipment, and so on.
The most common error in throwing a jab, in my experience, is to dip the hand before firing it to the destination. It takes practice to deceptively set up and fire the hand in a straight line from the guard position to the desired target and retract it back into a guard. Practice makes habit and that's why having the right coach makes all the difference in your results and ability.
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