The simple guide on how to throw the jab-straight right hand combination. A must-read for all beginner boxers and taught from day one.
Many old-timers will tell you that the jab is the can-opener and the right hand is the spoon. I can tell you after all these years that they are definitely right. At the beginner level, you can pretty much win any fight just by masterfully throwing the good'ole 1-2 over and over again. If you master it well enough, you actually might be able to win a world title just by throwing the simple jab-right hand combination. (Other names for this combinations are jab-right cross, jab-cross, etc.)
Read each step and practice them slowly and individually so that each step is executed separately from the next step. Only after you have mastered each step individually do you then begin to practice them all together as a fluid movement. The one-two combination has 3 simple steps. Read carefully and practice in front of a mirror.
01Jab-Step - Throw a sharp jab as your step forward slightly with your front foot.
02Slide-the-Backfoot - Slide your back foot forward slightly to bring your entire body forward closer towards your opponent. Your jab arm is pulling back to recover quickly at the same time.
03Right-Hand - Throw the right hand straight forward as you rotate your shoulders, hips, and back foot. Recover the right hand quickly after punching.
Beginner Tips
- Keep your eyes on target, don't look at the ground.
- Bend your knees when you throw the right hand; this puts your body into the punch. It's common to hear trainers say, "Drop the right hand on him!".
- Swing the right heel, your right foot will pivot as you swing the heel up and as your calf to push into the punch. The foot was pivot as though you're crushing peanuts. (Turning the heel, adds power to the punch by rotating your hips and allowing your calf to push. The hip rotation alone is what adds the most to the power.)
Advanced Tips
- Always keep yourself in position for the one-two every time you throw the jab. When you see the slightest opening, deliver that right hand. Over time, you want to learn how to do some fast decision making between steps 2 & 3 to decide whether or not to throw the right hand. Learning how to make decisions on the fly is far better than just throwing a rehearsed 1-2 combo every time.
- Fake the jab before you throw the one-two.
- Throw the jab, throw another jab, and THEN throw the right hand. (jab-jab-right)
- Throw the jab, fake the right hand, and THEN throw the right hand.
Conclusion
Now that you learned the 1-2 combination, make sure you practice it often. It's easy to learn but hard to master. Ideally, you should practice it until you are no longer afraid of throwing it whenever you want.
Related Guides: How to counter 1-2
written by Oscar , March 17, 2010
written by Louis Gascoigne , April 09, 2010
He also said that instead of throwing the jab as its own punch you want to, "meet the jab". So instead of pulling it back completely and then throwing the cross you throw the cross while your hand is coming back.
Any comments on this advice?
written by tarajiledbetter , May 10, 2010
written by Travis , August 16, 2010
