Power in the JAB

**plakat** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 9:28am

i was working on the bag for like 10 mins or so doing jabs only...after which i was called upon into the ring to do some pad work with my coach. He commented tat though my jabs had the proper form...it lacked power.

question is, how do i add powers into my jabs without taking away speed? i know those leg/hip twist and stuff, but tats gonna slow my jabs down rite? any other drills or exercise wadsoever to do or maybe some "secrets" techniques?

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 10:06am

Did you ask your coach?

**Lebell** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 10:07am

I dont get your coach, i mean if you make a nice fast relaxed jab it doesnt have to be powerfull, as long as its annoying the opponent.

Powerfull jab excercises: get a weight of around 4-5 kilograms, make jabs up to 50, eventually after some weeks up to a 100.

Executing the jab while you sorta shuffle forwards etc. im sure your coach told you this already.

personally i dont force my jabs, im only making sure they are fast and relaxed.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 10:31am

I hear what you're saying, Lebell, but I think it is an important skill to have a strong jab. Its not neccesary, but I would think that is what plakat's coach is trying to teach. You don't want an opponent to just walk through your jabs.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 10:40am

How long have you been training? If your form is right it is probably just a timing problem. When you want to put power into your jab you can shift your weight to your front foot as it is landing. Don't forget to bring it straight back. If you are a relative beginner you probably just don't have the timing of that weight shift down yet.

**Lebell** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 10:42am

I better hope he's a beginner, otherwise he should get another coach.

**P-Dub** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 1:12pm

Are you stepping into your jab? A lot of the power can come from springing forward into your jab, and you don't have to sacrifice speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qezgb_F6060

**Ryno** · Posted On: 1/22/2008 1:14pm

I use two types of jabs, and the mechanics are slightly different. For a standard cover/set-up jab I will step forward and to the left, opening up my hips for the follow up cross or round kick. Shoulder rolls forward, jab whips out while I tee up the cross. There is some hip twist, but it's not so drastic that it slows down the cross of follow up shot.

For a power jab, my footwork will be more straight forward. I try to get very aggressive forward pressure. Shoulder rolls out and there is drastic hip twist from left to right/clockwise. It's full commitment to the jab. When it connects, my upper body and hips will be sideways to my opponent, with the jap hitting my opponenet, and my chest facing to the right. Timing the footwork with the landing of the strike. Strike and lead foot should land at just about the same time. I will drop my weight forward and down as I do this. I want my footwork to add my body weight to the strike. So it ends up being body weight+shoulder roll+hip twist+arm snap.

Watch this old Ali clip. at 4:15 he does a perfect example of what I'm talking about. There are others but it's very clear right then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXa6opui5L4