Defending against an aggressive opponent - the jab

 The Defensive Jab

There is often a point within a fighting situation, when you find yourself having to raise your hands, out of the low pugilistic guard, into a more defensive high guard. Typically this is against an overly aggressive “flailing” opponent, that has had one too many to drink. Their attack will be relentless and unforgiving, albeit for a short burst, often burning themselves out. However there will also be times when a competent opponent will seek to do as much harm as possible to you, at the sake of their own composure. In either situation, the defensive jab is perhaps your best tool available to falter their attack.

The flailing attacks of your opponent, will be following an arc, in a similar manner to a hook. As such the jab, which aimed straight at the opponent’s face, will instead travel down the midline. This makes the jab a faster, more direct strike, allowing it to cut through what little defence/guard your opponent may have.

As mentioned, you will typically throw this jab from a high guard, as evasive defences will often fail against such a flurry of strikes, being far safer to “cover up.”

Whilst covered up, you should also remain mobile about the hips. Bobbing, weaving and making your head a moving target. This movement around the hips, also helps set up the power of the jab, which should be thrown, when your weight is shifted onto your lead leg, rather than your back leg.

Of course, in pugilism, we believe “if it works, it works” and as such if you find the best opportunity to throw the defensive jab, is whilst your weight is on your back leg – then so be it. However, understand, not only will the punch lack a degree of power, but you will open up a channel in your defence, that will allow an opponent’s strike to connect with your face. If you choose this option, strike fast, strike hard! Or pray you have a good chin.

Instead it is better to throw from the lead leg, as not only will you be leaning more forwards – which helps you keep a more covered up and defensive profile, but you will also find it easier to put your weight behind the jab, making it into something your opponent will definitely regret!

As you are initiating the jab, find yourself twisting about the hips, away from your opponent. This acts almost like the tightening of a spring, it allows you to build up tension in your body, which you then release when you throw the jab. This lends great speed and bite to the attack, and helps shift your bodyweight into the punch. The recipe for power!

Of course it would be a shame for any of that power to be lost! So ensure that when the jab connects, that the elbow is in line with the rest of the arm. If your elbow is high/low, the transfer of energy (power) from the shoulder into the fist (and therefore the opponent’s head) will be less.

To sum up

o Against an overly aggressive opponent it is better to cover up

o Remain mobile with footwork and movement about the hips.

o Counter their typically outward strikes with straights. Preferably the defensive jab

o As you step onto your lead leg, it will be bearing most of your weight, allow your body to follow your leg.

o This will allow your body to then twist about your hips.

o This will “load” the punch with tension.

o Release the tension through the jab.

o Ensure the arm is as straight and elbow is in line with the arm when the punch connects.