Coaching Notes on the Jab (diary entry)

15.04.17   Today began my client’s first basic course on western boxing for martial arts cross-training. We covered one and a half hours of a scheduled 10 hour programme. The objective of the lesson was to develop footwork and the jab punch.   We warmed up using agility markers. This began with repetitions of gentle jogging around the markers. The client was encouraged to keep their guard up and to then repeat the movement backwards. I then introduced angling off through the markers, followed by Ali shuffles and tail whips (balancing). We then worked alongside the line of markers to work on leading with the jab and switching stances.   The jab was then covered in earnest, looking at stance, guard and keeping the elbow in upon delivery. By having the student hold objects between arms and ribs whilst throwing short punches, we helped correct problems with elbow flaring.   We looked at the most common type of jab, used to keep an opponent at a distance and to set up for other punches. After a period of training the technique from standing, the fighter was made to move in different directions and to throw multiple jabs.   We trained off both orthodox and southpaw stances before moving onto the power jab. The title for such a technique is something of a contradiction and I usually prefer the more generic straight lead punch. This technique is executed in various different ways. It can begin by simply placing a greater emphasis on distributing force forward through the feet and a torqueing motion in the mid-section (hip flexors and oblique muscles primarily). The technique is made more powerful still by using a pendulum or, more specifically, a Newton’s Cradle action with the back leg. A further increase in power can be generated by turning the “jab” into a cross punch. Here the fighter drops forward, or stumbles as historic heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey used to say, with his rear foot. John “Awesome” Anderson also used to favour this technique in some self-defence situations.   We then moved onto slipping jabs, focusing mainly on attacking from the outside of the jab. This was first taught as a straightforward technique. Then we drilled it as part of a timing exercise.   Coaching Notes   I did not have my client/fighter punch more than five times before resting. My reasoning for this is that bad technique and habits creep in easier through fatigue. Conditioning and fitness are very important factors when training, but special attention needs to be paid when training technique. We instinctively move towards sloppy technique due to the way it economises on movement and as a response to increased stress from unfamiliar muscular activity. Keeping techniques drilled in short bursts that are enough to promote fluidity but not enough to be over-taxing on a fighter allows for faster correction.   Early on whilst coaching movement with jabbing I noticed that my client dropped his guard and strolled backwards to a certain starting spot after each burst of strikes had been thrown. This was an example of an unintended behaviour pattern created by me returning to the same spot after each succession of strikes. I quickly broke the routine, making it all less predictable and keeping my client on his toes. Coaches need to be more mindful of how they teach. It’s a trite but worthy reminder that we sometimes neglect looking at the bigger picture by becoming too focused on individual aspects. Photography by Charlotte Von Bulow Quirk featuring Amanda Wilding and Steve Turner from a photoshoot for my 2014 ebook "Mordred's Victory and Other Martial Mutterings" and my upcoming "Bullshitsu and the Fight to Make Martial Arts Work".