Jab

Ramon Dekkers connecting with a stiff jab

The jab is the lead hand straight punch.  As the lead hand is closer to your opponent than the rear, it is the fasted punch in your arsenal but lacks the power of most other punches.

The jab serves many offensive and defensive purposes. It can be used to set up other attacks, keep the opponent at bay, probe to test an opponent's reactions, disrupt an opponents attack or to simply cause damage.

When throwing the jab, keep these points in mind:
-Throw the punch in a straight line out and back.
-Make the punch snap. Keep the hand loose, tightening the fist just before impact.
-Do not chicken wing your arm by rotating it out to early and in an exaggerated way as this causes it to loose power and telegraphs the punch.
-Protect your chin by keeping it down, lifting the shoulder of the punching arm and keeping your opposite hand up.

Fist Positions

There are four possible fist positions upon impact:  Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal-Thumb Up, Diagonal-Thumb Down. The majority of instructors teach the horizontal position. The vertical is the second most popular position. 

Head Positions

There are three general head positions you can use when throwing a jab: Middle, Rear Side, Lead Side.

1) Middle - Head doesn't shift off line when throwing the jab. 

2) Rear Side - Head shifts to the side of your rear foot. Same motion as if you were slipping your opponents jab while simultaneously throwing your own jab  *example

3) Lead Side - Head shifts to the lead side. This is more difficult to perform and less often used than the other two positons. It is generally used with the step and pivot (curving jab) footwork. This is the most difficult of the three. *example

The jab can also be thrown from two lower positions. 

1) Low Middle - Throwing the jab from a ducked position. 

2) Low Rear Side - Throwing the jab from a rear side bob position. 

Jab Variations

Front Step Jab 

Used to quickly attack with a jab then quickly retreat back out of range. *example *example

*Front Step Jab Variation - Step Jab followed by a rear foot step back. *Gabriel Varga example

Full Step Jab

1) Step & Slide Jab *example

2) Push Step Jab *example

Body Jab

When throwing a jab to the body, lower your body down in a semi bob like motion. *example 

There is some risk with the body jab as you're more exposed to the rear overhand and the lead knee or kick. 

Circling Lead Side Jab 

Essentially is jabbing while circling to your lead side. It is a method of getting offline but can be dangerous when fighting an opponent with a matching lead since you are moving into the opponents power side.

1) Lead Foot Step then Pivot (Curve Step) *without head movement *example

2) Back Foot Step then Reface (Hip Carry)

Circling Rear Side Jab 

Jabbing while circling to your rear side. 

1) Lead Foot Step then Pivot (Reface) *without head movement

2) Back Foot Step then Reface *without head movement *with head movement

Backward Moving Jab 

1) Back Foot Moves First *example

2) Front Foot Moves First *example

Slide Step Jab

Generally used as a feint which allows you to gain distance for your follow up strike. As the jab is thrown your back foot slides up about halfway. You can now push off the back foot, covering more distance with your next strike than you would using basic footwork. Sometimes referred to as steal a step. *example

Bernard Hopkins talking about the jab
Boxing 101- Boxing Film Study- SCIENCE OF THE JAB

Jab with Head Movement

Straight Lead Punch Technique: NY Martial Arts Academy

Variations of the Jab: Coach Anthony