Page 32 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up
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Chapter Four
The jab is a quick offensive strike.
In the boxer’s stance your fists are held in a relaxed,
palms-in, ready position.The jab is a punch thrown with
the leading hand straight from the chin in a direct line
toward your target. As the hand leaves its guard position
next to your chin, the fist rotates a quarter to a half
notch. As the punch is delivered, the fist gradually
clenches and is completely clenched just before impact.
It is then immediately relaxed and withdrawn into the
guard position.
The jab is the busiest weapon in boxing because it can
be thrown quickly without compromising a boxer’s
defensive posture. It’s utilized to score, to keep oppo-
nents at bay,to set up combinations and power punches
and to wear down defenses.
Although the jab is not considered a power punch, an
effective use of the jab over the course of a bout will
cause a considerable deal of damage. A boxer can also
learn to stiffen his jab by turning his hips with the
punch and stepping into its delivery.
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