THE LEFT JAB

The jab is the most common punch in Olympic style boxing it has many uses and is used in variety of ways. Its main uses are

1. SCORING POINTS
2. KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE SETTING UP OTHER PUNCHES
3. DEFENCE
4. COUNTERING

To perform the punch.

1. Stand in the boxing stance.
2. Throw the punch in a straight line from the guard position.
3. Push forward from your back leg, transferring your leg power to the punch, move the front foot forward to bridge the distance.
4. Keep your head in; fully extend the arm and shoulder, bringing the shoulder close to your chin.
5. Just before the fist hits the target, it should rotate slightly, so the thumb moves parallel the floor.
6. Keep fist relaxed throughout this movement, until just before contact when it is fully clenched.
7. Immediately bring the fist straight back to guard position.
8. When performed correctly the fist will automatically turn as the shoulder extends forward, so you don't need to twist the fist much at the end of the punch.

The Jab to the body
 
Jabbing to the body is a fairly safe and easy way to score points as the judges easily see it.
 The jab to the body is quite hard to defend against, as the natural reaction is to move back and move the elbows up making it hard to counter. This style of jab is a useful punch against a boxer with a good head defence as they will often keep there hands extra high leaving the lower body open. Come back to your guard position fast with your hands up

To perform the punch.
1.    Stand in the boxing stance.
2.    Push forward with your rear leg
3.    While punching towards your opponent body step forward about 50cm
4.    Bent your torso at the waist and drop over your knee.
5.    Keep your head up and aim your punch toward the body.
6.    Bring your body and hands up and back as quickly as you can.

This style of jab is an advanced punch that takes skill and experience to perform safely.
1. Stand in the boxing stance.
2. As you are throwing the punch move your head in a slipping motion    slightly to the left avoiding his lead jab.
3. Push forward from your back leg, transferring your legs power to the punch.
4. Keep your head in; fully extend the arm and shoulder, bringing            the  shoulder close to your chin.
5. Keep the fist relaxed throughout this movement, until just before contact when it is fully clenched.

The double jab is a very effective technique that is very similar to the jab to the head, although instead of bringing the hand back all the way to the defensive position after the punch. You only bring it back half way before punching forward again to the same target.
This will often get through the initial defence, especially if the opponent over reaches with his defending hand leaving him guard less for the second jab.
To perform the punch.

1. Stand in the boxing stance.
2. Throw the punch in a straight line from the guard position.
3. Push forward from your back leg, transferring your leg power to the punch, move the front foot forward to bridge the distance.
4. After the initial jab bring the hand back half way, and then push the hand forward again.
5. Keep your head in; fully extend the arm and shoulder, bringing the shoulder close to your chin.
6. Keep fist relaxed throughout this movement, until just before contact when it is fully clenched.
7. Immediately bring the fist straight back to guard position.

Scoring points

The jab hand is the fist closest to your opponent so with less distance to travel and the speed of the jab, it is often used as the first line of attack and is usually the first punch thrown.
The jab can be used to score points to the head or body, a jab from thrown from a distance is easy to see from most positions around the ring. Making it easy for the judges to see the punch clearly, and award points for it. 

Photos

  
Keeping your distance and setting up other punches

Jabs are used to help keep your distance between you and your opponent during a bout and keep your opponent from setting up and relaxing, by constantly throwing jabs at an opponent it will help to keep him of balance and allow you to score with other punches.

Defence

While under pressure from a shorter strong opponent the jab can be used as a very good defensive punch. While pushing back with the front foot and throwing the jab forward you can often hold a strong attack at bay and score points at the same time.
The jab is the highest point scoring punch in the boxer's repertoire making it important to have a fast effective jab.

Things to avoid when throwing the jab

1. Telegraphing your punch by dropping or pulling the fist back before you throw the punch.
2. Lifting you your elbow while punching, allowing you opponent to see the elbow movement.
3. Stepping in before your punch starts, letting your opponent see the leg move and warning him of the punch that is coming.
4. Holding your hands together or tapping your gloves together before punching.
5. Over emphasizing the fist rotation, which will lift the elbow and telegraph the punch.

This information is taken from the book "Olympic style boxing" written by Richard Davis, it is copyright © 2006 and is for personal info only