Is a jab to the body useful?

[wilberbear]

Is a jab to the body useful? I sometimes use it in gym sparrings, but it doesn't really do any damage, and it doesn't really seem to be useful to lead to anything good. Also, it loads an awkward strain on your balance & weight load. I am talking the one where you bend your waist sideways (head leaning sideways) while straight left jab hitting the stomach. It is more for points & for fun (in sparrings), I have felt. Is that any useful really? I noticed that D'amato system sets this as number 8 in their number system, so I was just wondering if it is worthy & important enough to be numbered. I suppose you can hit harder, but I hardly see this being done for a jab to the body. Also, even if you make it harder, I am not sure how useful (in terms of straining the opponent's move while you come up with something else) it would be.

[2ofEverything]

Depends, since my reach is usually at least a few inches longer than my opponents it's great for me, a jab to the body can drop someones hands leaving them open for a straight/overhand right.

[wilberbear]

A jab to the body hurts enough for someone to drop his arms? I have seen a couple examples of a jab to the body, but they all seemed to be half-committed. If fully committed, can it hurt that much?

[SalimShady1212]

Yes, a stiff body jab hurts. It's also very annoying and can push you back. You also bend at the knees/waist to throw it so it's harder to be hit when throwing it.

[The Golden Boy]

It is a great punch to open up the lead right to the head. If you watched the fight tonight you would have seen Mayweather put it to great use.

[wilberbear]

I've seen Tyson use it in his inexperienced years. In his experienced years, I didn't really see it. Maybe it's not good for a shorter fighter? I also saw Manny Pacquiao use it, but it seemed more for points than to get anywhere (he backed right away as the opponent swung at his head).

I am sure a fully committed jab to the body hurts "somewhat", but does it hurt enough (I've only used it in light sparrings, and I've never got punched in the stomach with a body jab mostly because I used to spar in light heavyweight due to being overweight although my height bone structure is featherweight) to bring down your guard? As for the pushing factor, I suppose that would give you a sufficient time to move back right away when the opponent swings at you. But a body jab to the body also loads an awkward strain on your balance & weight load especially if you are bending down your waist sideways.

Maybe I better get rid of that routine and just walk further in always before doing anything. Unless aiming for points with a surprise attack then backing away. The opponent always seem to be able to do something right away against a jab to the body (like swinging a punch to the head) instead of it leading up to something.

[AlexKid]

depends, long arms help, e.g. pernel, mixing it to the head n body is a great idea, mayweather does it well in singles too and he isnt esp lengthy

[ToddtheRod]

Jab to the body is just another tool

Yes, the jab to the body is just another tool to the arsenal. You jab to the body, you bring your opponents hands down. It's hardly used to hurt an opponent, but more so to drop your opponents hands, where you follow up with a clean right hand or a quick left hook off of the jab. You could even follow it up with an uppercut as your opponent leans forward either taking the jab to the body or blocking it.

Is a jab to the body useful? I sometimes use it in gym sparrings, but it doesn't really do any damage, and it doesn't really seem to be useful to lead to anything good. Also, it loads an awkward strain on your balance & weight load. I am talking the one where you bend your waist sideways (head leaning sideways) while straight left jab hitting the stomach. It is more for points & for fun (in sparrings), I have felt. Is that any useful really? I noticed that D'amato system sets this as number 8 in their number system, so I was just wondering if it is worthy & important enough to be numbered. I suppose you can hit harder, but I hardly see this being done for a jab to the body. Also, even if you make it harder, I am not sure how useful (in terms of straining the opponent's move while you come up with something else) it would be.

[wilberbear]

Ah. So, it is not used to hurt the opponent. Then, experienced boxers just ignore when they get jabbed in the stomach without bringing their hands down. So, doing a jab to the stomach is ok for a taller boxer as they have plenty of time & space, but not so good for a shorter boxer as every small thing counts a lot (especially cause strain in balance). So, jab to the body isn't really useful then. Even against shorter boxers, it's probably better if I already get into the habit of not doing that just in case.

[Rockin']

will an opponent have more difficulty defending just one target or two. the jab to the body is not about taking a guy out with one punch. it's about disrupting his breathing and rythme while creating openings for your offense. and if you stick a few in there hard he will notice them way more than you imagine.