Now you know how to use the stance and guard to protect yourself. Next we will show you how to punch and kick from it and back again.
The Jab:The jab (straight lead punch) but we use the word jab the same as boxers do, as the words tell you that it comes from your lead hand and goes straight out and back again the same way and not out, down then back. From the pictures below you can see how he comes from the guard, then straight out turning the fist on the point of contact. And then back the same way. Our tip for you is that if you punch a bag or pads without gloves you can see your two nearest knuckles nearest your thumb go red as you hit the bag. This is the only way you should punch or you will damage your hand!
The Cross:The cross (straight rear punch) this punch is done the same way as a jab but with opposite hand. The jab (the fastest punch) as it travels the shortest distance from your guard to its target. The cross is design to follow the jab with your weight behind it to give you maximum power. As you can see from the pictures below he comes back from the jab, he begins to change his foot position to generate maximum power from his rear foot to hips, then through his shoulders pushing his arm and fist into the target with all his weight behind it. Now he will return to the guard position ready to wait for his next attack and protecting himself at the same time, making it hard to be countered by his sparring partner etc. Our best tip for you is that the jab and cross is like you are pulling a rope towards yourself lead hand goes out then pulls the rope, then you rear hand goes out then pulls more rope towards you and so on.
Please click onto the "Hooks button" for more on our Punching programme.
