Japanese-Style Boxing Techniques Off the Jab

Combinations that use the left jab to measure distance and draw a reaction from the opponent before going to the power punch. 13 techniques

• Double jab
  11
  The double jab is a basic combination of two left jabs in a row. Don't let the first and second drift apart. Send both on the same path, accurately, to the same spot on the opponent. Two punches arriving at the same place pin the opponent's eyes and guard there and stop their feet, which gives you a base for your next attack.
• Left jab, parry, one-two
  1Parry12
  Jab, parry, one-two is a combination where you throw a left jab first, parry the left jab the opponent sends back, and fire back a one-two right away. Use it when you get into a jab exchange, to take back the flow of the attack instead of just defending. It works especially well when the opponent has a habit of answering your jab with their own.
• Pawing jab (shown, not landed)
  1
  The pawing jab is a left jab whose only role is to be seen, not to land and do damage. Your extended fist draws the opponent's guard and attention to one side and opens a path for the power punch. At the same time, the length of your extended arm lets you check the distance between you and the opponent and decide where to throw your next move from.
• Left jab, then retreating jab
  1Step back1
  Jab, then retreating jab means throwing a left jab and then throwing another left jab while stepping back, either as you punch or as you finish. You use it so the step back isn't just defense, and your left hand stays on the line the opponent is chasing along. It's a basic move for when the opponent is chasing you back, so they can't close the distance.
• Decoy jab (missed on purpose) into the real one-two
  Decoy12
  The decoy jab into the real one-two is a combination where you throw a left jab that falls short on purpose, draw a reaction from the opponent, and then throw the real one-two. Reacting to the decoy jab, the opponent's feet may stop, or you may see a habit in how they move their guard. Of those, you aim for the moment their feet stop and slip the real one-two in.
• Pawing jab, then step in with the real one-two
  1Step in12
  A pawing jab is a light jab thrown to draw a reaction from the opponent rather than to land. You put it out lightly, and the moment they tighten their guard or throw a hand, you step in with a hard one-two. The gap between the light punch and the power punch slows their response. Use it when the distance is a little long and the power punch won't reach from where you are.
• Pushing jab into the cross
  1Load2
  The pushing jab into the cross doesn't stop at landing the left jab. You put your weight into the opponent's guard or shoulder and push them lightly. Pushed, their guard splits, their balance breaks, and they try to get back into position. Right at that moment, you load your weight onto your back foot and drive the right cross through with your whole body working together.
• Decoy one-two, then left jab
  Decoy121
  The decoy one-two to left jab is a combination where you first show a one-two you have no intention of landing, then send the power left jab through when the opponent reacts. The one-two is just for show. It moves the opponent's guard and stops their feet. Because the third punch goes into the opening, you need to watch the opponent's reaction closely as you punch.
• Decoy jab, jab, retreating jab, one-two
  Decoy11Step back12
  Decoy jab, jab, retreating jab, one-two is an advanced combination. You open with a decoy jab, add a jab and a jab while stepping back, then step back in and throw a one-two. Going forward, back, then forward again changes the rhythm so the opponent can't read your next move. Work on it once you're comfortable with the basic one-two and the retreating jab.
• Jab, read the reaction, then one-two
  1Read12
  In the jab, read, one-two, you throw one left jab, take an instant to see how the opponent reacted, and then throw the one-two as the power punch. The first jab checks the distance and the opponent's reaction, so you throw the power punch once you have a real chance of landing it. This form builds the habit of looking and then choosing, instead of throwing without looking.
• Bait jab, parry, then power jab
  1Parry1
  Bait jab, parry, then power jab is a combination where you use a bait jab to draw the opponent's counter left jab, send it off line with your right hand, and land the power jab the moment their balance breaks. You draw their counter with nothing but the left jab and turn that counter into your way in. Use it when the opponent is timing counters off your left jab.
• Double jab, then step in with the right cross
  11Step in2
  Double jab, then step in with the right cross is a combination where two left jabs pin the opponent's eyes and guard and stop their feet, and then you step in and drive in a right cross. For the jabs, accuracy in hitting the same spot matters more than speed. Bringing your hands back to guard right after the right and resetting the distance with your feet are all part of one flow.
• Jab, back, jab, back, jab
  1Step back1Step back1
  Jab, back, jab, back, jab is a combination where you throw a left jab and step back, throw again and step back, then throw one last time. You use it to keep meeting an opponent who's coming forward with your left jab as you back up, so they can't close the distance easily. Holding back your power and moving without breaking your form matter more than landing.