The Jab

For a while I have been thinking of weather an article about the jab is worth writing, but after watching the Georges St Pierre VS Jon Fitch fight last weekend at UFC 87, my mind was more than made up. The way GSP used the jab to keep his opponent at bay and path the way for more powerful techniques was great.

Everyone knows the jab. It’s the first punch shown to beginners and probably the most used technique used in any style of fighting which includes strikes.

A big difference between the jab and other punches is that the jabs intention is not always to hit the target but rather to “feel” there opponent out. Some fighters use there jab as a set up for follow up techniques like Muhammed Ali used to and some fighters like to use there jab as a power shot as Mike Tyson did.

The key to a good jab is simplicity and surprise. You don’t wont to get into the habit of telegraphing any punch, but the jab is most important not to telegraph. It should be snapped towards your opponent and back like a snakes tongue.

Also it is a great tool for stop hitting. When your opponent charges in with an attack, a simple jab to the face will stop him there and then in his tracks ending the attack. Then, being stopped in his tracks during his attack, your opponent will probably be unaware that he is on the defensive side and may leave himself open to powerful, follow up blows, all because of your simple jab.

The following is Muhammad Ali vs. Cleveland Williams . Along with his dazzling speed in combination punches, his movement and his jab which he uses to set up follow up blows it shows Ali in maybe the prime of his career. Notice that when he jabs he moves straight away, which must further frustrate his opponent who does not have the distance to counter as he would like.

Marks

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