The jab to the body is one of the most useful punches in boxing, and one of the least used. People worry about dropping their level and getting hit. This short video lesson shows one great way to help land that body shot: "block" the back hand of your opponent first, done as a fast double jab.

It is for boxers and coaches who want a simple, reliable way to get the jab downstairs without walking onto the counter.

The Problem With The Body Jab

When you drop to jab the body, your head comes down and forward. The danger is your opponent's back hand. If it is free, it can come straight over the top while you are low. That is why many boxers simply do not throw the body jab, and why they miss out on a very effective punch.

Block The Back Hand First

The answer is to deal with the back hand before you go low. The first jab goes up towards the guard and effectively blocks or occupies the back hand. The second jab goes to the body while that hand is still busy. Done fast, as a double jab, it works a treat.

Points to look for:

  • The first jab has to be real enough to make them deal with it
  • The second jab follows immediately, before the back hand is free
  • Bend at the knees to drop your level, not just at the waist
  • Bring the hand straight back and come back up into your guard

Floyd Mayweather used the jab to the body to good effect against Canelo, and it is worth studying how often he went to the body with his lead hand.

Why The Body Jab Matters

Body shots add up. They slow your opponent down, bring their hands down and open up the head later on. The jab to the body also changes your opponent's attention. Once they know you will go low, they have to watch two levels instead of one, and that makes everything else easier.

How To Practise It

Start on the pads with the pad holder showing a target high and then a body target. Work the double jab slowly, making sure the level change is clean and the hand comes back. Then try it in light sparring. Notice when the back hand is busy, and go to the body at that moment.

Take It Further

The jab, in all its forms, is covered in detail in the Learn To Box Online Course. For a deeper look at boxing technique, see The Boxing Series.