Boxing Techniques - The Jab

The first punch a boxer will learn is the Jab. The jab is your “Bread and butter” punch and should be practiced over and over again.
The Jab can be used to keep your opponent at a distance and to score points at long range or medium range, not only scoring points and discouraging your opponents from moving in but it also sets him up for a powerful right cross.

Most Trainers will tell their fighters to “Fight from behind the jab”.

Start in a boxer’s stance, both fists relaxed and palms facing each other, your right hand closest to your chin and your left hand approx 4 inches in front, (opposite for southpaws).
The jab is thrown with the leading hand in a straight line towards your target and it comes back in a straight line to your chin. As the jab leaves the guard, the fist gradually clenches, rotates a quarter notch (palm facing downwards) and is fully clenched just before impact.
DO NOT make the common mistake of dropping your right hand when you throw the jab because you will leave an opening for a left hook counter.

The jab is the busiest punch in boxing, although not considered to be a power punch, it can cause a lot of damage over the course of a bout.
A boxer can learn to “Stiffen” his jab by turning his hips with the punch and stepping in as it is delivered.

author : Claude Evans - UK Boxing store


The Right Cross

The right cross will soon become your favourite punch because this punch is thrown from your preferred hand which is usually the strongest.

From the guard position, the right cross is thrown in a straight line to the target and comes back in a straight line to the chin. Unlike the jab which is more of an arm punch, the right cross is powered by a twisting motion of the torso and pivoting of the right foot.
As the punch accelerates, twist your hips and pivot on your right foot so your right heel swings outwards.

The right cross is a power punch but because of the weight transfer it can also leave you exposed without a boxer’s stance for a split second. This is why it is important to return back to guard as quick as possible.

You should never lead with your right cross - instead, probe your opponents defences with your jabs, create an opening then throw your right cross with power.

Practice the right cross on the heavy bag, using a light left jab to measure the distance, after the heavy bag, move onto a more mobile target like the focus pads, concentrate on maintaining your balance as the punch makes contact.

Keep practising and remember to visit UK Boxing Store for quality boxing equipment.

author : Claude Evans - UK Boxing store

Left Hook and Right Uppercut

The Left hook and the right uppercut from an Orthodox stance

LEFT HOOK

The left hook is technically one of the most difficult punches to learn, but if correctly executed it can be a powerful weapon , whether used at medium to full range, to the head or body.

The punch starts with a weight transfer to the left side, the left elbow is brought up almost parallel to the floor so that the arm forms a sort of hook shape ; your left palm should be facing downwards, at the same time, pivot on the ball of your left foot, left heel facing outwards, your left leg and torso turning sharply to the right. Hit through the target.
Note that the arm does not move independently, it is powered by the leg, hips and back in a twisting motion.

The hook is a difficult punch to defend against because it is thrown from outside the line of your opponents vision.
When throwing the left hook, remember to keep your right hand up and recover your left hand back to guard.

RIGHT UPPERCUT

The uppercut is a very useful close/medium range punch. It is delivered straight up inside your opponent’s guard.
The uppercut is also a favoured punch for a tall fighter against a much smaller crouching opponent.
At medium range the uppercut can be a devastating counter punch.

Transfer your weight slightly to your right hand side, dip your knees slightly so your right elbow nears your hip, rotate your fist (palm facing yourself), without cocking your arm back, propel the punch upwards by twisting your torso ( right side of your body), accelerate, contact and recover to guard.

Care must be taken not to “telegraph” the punch.

Note for southpaws
If you are left handed or prefer to box with the right foot forward, reverse the instructions where applicable.

Keep practising and remember UK Boxing store supply quality boxing gloves and boxing equipment.

Claude Evans - UK Boxing store