Jab

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Jab
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Also known as Flag of Albania.svg Albanian: Direkt

Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil: Direto

Flag of Myanmar.svg Burmese: Pyon Latt-di

Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chinese: 前手直拳/ 刺拳

Flag of Croatia.svg Croatian: Prednji direkt

Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech: Direkt

Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dutch: Directe

Flag of Estonia.svg Estonian: Sirge

Flag of France.svg French: Direct (bras avant)

Flag of Germany.svg German: Gerade (Führhand)

Flag of Israel.svg Hebrew: ישרה

Flag of Italy.svg Italian: Diretto

Flag of Japan.svg Japanese: Kizami zuki / Jun zuki (Choku zuki)

Flag of Poland.svg Polish: Prosty

Flag of Romania.svg Romanian: Directă (braţ faţă)

Flag of Russia.svg Russian:Джеб

Flag of Serbia.svg Serbian: Предњи директ (кец)

Flag of Thailand.svg Thai: Mat Trong Say (หมัด ตรง ซ้าย)

Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnamese: Đấm quai hàm.
Focus Striking

A jab is a type of punch used in martial arts. Several variations of the jab exist, but every jab shares these characteristics: while in a fighting stance, the lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended from the side of the torso. This process also involves a quick turn of the torso. It is an overhand punch; at the moment of impact, the pronated fist is generally held in a horizontal orientation with the palm facing the ground.

Contents

Etymology

The word jab was first used in 1825, to mean "to thrust with a point." The term is a Scottish variant of the word job, which means "to strike, pierce, thrust." [1]

Uses

Defense

A jab is an integral part of a fighter's defense. Its speed and power of execution and reach can keep the opponent at a distance, preventing him from charging in. Defensive jabs can be employed while moving backwards.

Speed jab

This jab gives a fighter high mobility and is often used with the intention of scoring points. Fighters use this variation of the jab when they want to preserve the mobility and balance of their stance.

Rangefinding jab

Used in order to establish a feeling for distance, the rangefinding jab is often used to set up a power punch with the other hand. Thus it can help conserve stamina and lower the risk of being countered by allowing the fighter to commit his stronger hand only when he is within proper range.

Boxers have been wobbled by a rangefinding jab. [2]

Power jab

Power can be added to a jab if it is thrown with a moderate step forward. The drawback to this technique is that it takes the fighter out of his boxing stance, committing him to the punch rather more than the speed jab. A "pivot jab" is the most powerful jab, one in which the weight shifts almost entirely to the lead foot, which pivots to put the mass of the body behind the punch. Jabbing from the hip, rather than from a tight guard, will add power to the jab at the expense of speed. [3]

Jab to the body

Jabbing to the body is relatively uncommon, because it increases a fighter's vulnerability to a counterpunch. Typically, the fighter bends at the waist and fires a speed jab to the midsection of his opponent in an attempt at getting the opponent to drop his guard. It is impractical to put the body weight behind this punch, so power is limited. The jab to the body can be used effectively to counter the opponents lead jab.

Jab combinations


Historians consider some of the best jabbers in history to be Sonny Liston, Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali, and George Foreman. Recent master jabbers include Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko, both coached by the same trainer and able to develop significant power into their jabs. Holmes' jab has often been called "the best among Heavyweights",[ citation needed ] Ali's jab was famous for its speed [4] and Liston's for its power. [5] Mike Tyson used a rare version of a slip jab, that allowed him to jab effectively against taller opponents with longer reach. [6] Gennady Golovkin is currently the most proficient jabber in boxing.

See also

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References

  1. "Jab". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  2. "Vitali Klitschko vs. Tamasz Adamek". Abload GIF. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  3. Johnny N (June 30, 2010). "The 5 Types of Jabs". ExpertBoxing.com. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  4. "The Boxer". 2012 Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  5. "East Side Boxing". East side Boxing. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  6. Vasquez, Ricardo (June 22, 2016). "The Science of Mike Tyson and Elements of Peek-A-Boo: part II (jab section)". SugarBoxing.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2014.