View source for Jab

{{Short description|Type of punch}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox martial art
| image        = Allongecolor.jpg
| imagecaption      = 
| imagesize    = 
| name         = Jab
| aka     = 
{{flagicon|Albania}} Albanian: Direkt

{{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil: Direto

{{flagicon|Burma}} Burmese: Pyon Latt-di

{{flagicon|China}} Chinese: 前手直拳/ 刺拳

{{flagicon|Croatia}} Croatian: Prednji direkt

{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Czech: Direkt

{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Dutch: Directe

{{flagicon|Estonia}} Estonian: Sirge

{{flagicon|France}} French: Direct (bras avant)

{{flagicon|Germany}} German: Gerade (Führhand)

{{flagicon|Israel}} Hebrew: ישרה

{{flagicon|Italy}} Italian: Diretto

{{flagicon|JPN}} Japanese: Kizami zuki / Jun zuki ([[Choku zuki]])

{{flagicon|Poland}} Polish: Prosty

{{Flagicon|Romania}} Romanian: Directă (braţ faţă)

{{flagicon|Russia}} Russian：Джеб

{{flagicon|Serbia}} Serbian: Предњи директ (кец)

{{flagicon|Thailand}} Thai: Mat Trong Say (หมัด ตรง ซ้าย)

{{flagicon|Vietnam}} Vietnamese: Đấm quai hàm.
| focus = [[Strike (attack)|Striking]]
}}

A '''jab''' is a type of [[punch (combat)|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 [[pronation|pronated]] fist is generally held in a horizontal orientation with the palm facing the ground. This is also called a "front punch."<ref>Link and Chou, p. 18.</ref>

Jabs are usually aimed at the face or function as a feint, to lead to a second punch.<ref>Link and Chou, p. 18.</ref> Dynamic muscles involved in the jab include [[deltoids]], [[triceps]], [[Pectoralis major muscle|pectorals]], and the [[serratus anterior]] in the extension of the arm, and [[quadriceps]] and [[Calf (leg)|calves]] in the body drive.<ref>Link and Chou, p. 19.</ref>

==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."<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=j&allowed_in_frame=0|title= Jab|publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary|access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://h11.abload.de/img/vitali62kqe.gif| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210074210/http://h11.abload.de/img/vitali62kqe.gif| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 10, 2013| title=Vitali Klitschko vs. Tamasz Adamek| publisher=Abload GIF| access-date=2012-10-12}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expertboxing.com/boxing-techniques/punch-techniques/5-types-of-jabs|title=The 5 Types of Jabs|author=Johnny N|date=June 30, 2010|publisher=ExpertBoxing.com|access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref>

===Jab to the body===
<!--  Commented out: [[File:WilliamsvsKolle24.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A typical jab in boxing.]] -->
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===
*Jabs are often doubled up in an attempt at getting the opponent to compromise his guard.
*"Jabbing on the fly" is a point-scoring maneuver that employs a quick series of speed jabs thrown by a circling fighter.
*Most combinations start with a jab as a way of closing the distance and finding the proper range.  In this context, the jab is referred to as a "set-up jab".
*Many fighters end their combinations with a jab that is designed to stifle counterpunches.

 
<gallery>
Image:jab3.jpg|''Jab with [[full crouch]]''
Image:directlong0.jpg|''Jab with [[Stances (positioning)|side stance]]''
Image:Direct_corps1.jpg|''Jab in [[Counterpunch (boxing)|counterpunch]]''
Image:jab2.jpg|''Jab for the stop''
</gallery>

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",{{cn|date=December 2019}} Ali's jab was famous for its speed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ali.com/legend_boxer_main.php|title=The Boxer|publisher=2012 Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC.|access-date=2012-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512143107/http://www.ali.com/legend_boxer_main.php|archive-date=2012-05-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Liston's for its power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377445b|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121201632/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377445b|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-21|title=East Side Boxing|publisher=East side Boxing.|access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> [[Mike Tyson]] used a rare version of a slip jab, that allowed him to jab effectively against taller opponents with longer reach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmawarriorcircle.com/mike-tyson-guide-boxing-mma-peek-boo-style-part-2/|title=The Science of Mike Tyson and Elements of Peek-A-Boo: part II (jab section)|last=Vasquez|first=Ricardo|date=June 22, 2016|website=SugarBoxing.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925144552/http://www.sugarboxing.com/the-science-of-mike-tyson-and-elements-of-peek-a-boo-part-ii/|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=2014-07-30}}</ref> [[Gennady Golovkin]] has been regarded as having one of the most proficient jabs in boxing.

==See also==
*[[Hook (boxing)]]
*[[Cross (boxing)]]
*[[Uppercut]]
*[[Bolo punch]]
*[[One-two combo]]

{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons category|Jabs}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Link, Norman and Lily Chou (2011). ''The Anatomy of Martial Arts: An Illustrated Guide to the Muscles Used in Key Kicks, Strikes and Throws''. Ulysses Press. ISBN 978-1-56975-787-1

{{martial arts}}
{{Boxing}}

[[Category:Terminology used in multiple sports]]
[[Category:Boxing terminology]]
[[Category:Kickboxing terminology]]
[[Category:Martial arts terminology]]
[[Category:Punches (combat)]]