[JayWilson]

I just began training in boxing with a trainer (he teaches the 'Peek-a-Boo' style). He's got me working the jab right now, but is confusing me on one point. He tells me to step (as in, step with front foot, lightly slide up with rear foot), THEN jab. However, he steps WITH the jab (not sure if it's on the movement of the front foot or the rear). But when I ask him, he tells me to step, THEN jab. Finally I stepped and jabbed WITH the jab (felt better for penetration), and he said the jab was perfect (and I did what he told me not to do).

I'm rather confused - is the jab better suited on the movement of the front foot stepping, the rear foot moving, or after the step altogether?

 

[Captainobvious]

Okay, this is an easy one. When your jabbing, and moving forward, or WHENEVER your moving forward, you always want to push off of the back foot. Dont ever "step forward, then drag the back foot". Stay on the balls of your feet and try pushing off of your back foot first to move forward, and push off with your front foot first to move backwards. You are correct in that you want to jab as you are coming toward the end of your step. It should all be in one fluid motion, and thats why it feels natural for you to do that. When your pushing off the ball of your back foot, you get more energy into the jab. Im not saying to "leap" into the punches. You always want to keep a strong, balanced base. Try the footwork without the jab first. Working forward for 15 feet, and then backwards 15 feet. Keep working that a few rounds until you become more comfortable with it, and then start to add your jab into it while your moving forward, and backward.

 

[Kodanshi]

Sorry if I’ve hijacked your thread JayWilson!

WHENEVER your [sic] moving forward, you always want to push off of the back foot. Dont ever "step forward, then drag the back foot". Stay on the balls of your feet and try pushing off of your back foot first to move forward, and push off with your front foot first to move backwards.

Hi there, thanks for your contribution. I’ve newly come into boxing as a participator (though have spectated long before taking it up), mainly for fitness due to its overall workout, as well as movement and fighting skills. I preface my post with that so you know why I may sound ignorant of what you might consider ‘basics’. Would pushing off the back foot not create a brief moment of imbalance? If your opponent hit you as you pushed off your back foot, wouldn’t that knock you over, whereas a foward–step–&–drag would allow you to take the blow and remain stable?

 

[g00dz]

quite a normal noobie question. dont feel bad, i have had a lot of trouble with this in the past.

at first it will feel like you are off balance, but you seen get used to stepping with your back foot and keeping it on the toe/"ball" area of the foot. After a while it becomes natural and you create a natural balance for yourself.

stepping with the front foot is a no no. not only do you not cover enough ground stepping with only the front foot, you also dont get much power from it. the real power of a jab comes not from the arm, but from the forward motion of the body, which is jolted forward by the back foot.

when you jab yuo want people to think about it, you want ur opponent to fear it. a jab is the opening attack in 95% if not more of the opening attacks you use. you have to make it as effective as possible. i myself am still perfecting it, its probably the most complicated thing to perfect, in my opinion

 

[Kodanshi]

Cheers!

I’ll definitely have to practise that. Thanks so much for your explanation. Now time to turn theory into reality!

 

[bill1234]

I have been boxing for 1 year, and at first I stepped in with the jab, and it had pop (I have been told many times I hit very hard), but it didn't really have the snap part with it. But not I simply sort of push off (lean forward ever so slightly while keeping my balance) with my back, right foot (I am right handed), and now I have tons of snap and pop to the jab. Try doing that. I was watching one of Holmes fights and I noticed he does that, and it works. Watch how the master of the jab (Larry Holmes) throws his jab against Cooney in 82: YouTube - Larry Holmes vs Gerry Cooney