Сергей Заяшников - Win in the fight! Encyclopedia of Fight: Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing (Part I: Muay Thai, reducted ver)

Light repeated head jab.

Jabs of such type are made quickly and lightly. They are done one after another and are combined with step forward.Specific feature of these types of punches is their lightness. There is no need to rotate the torso while doing it – the punch is made through quickly unbending arm at the elbow and shoulder. Tactical purpose of it is to disorient, confuse the opponent, open him up.

Upper head jab.

The difference it has with the basic jab is that punching fist is pointed down (fingers pointed down), elbow is slightly drawn left up, which prevents right counter-punch or parries it.

This is a power punch and it can be used both while offensive and preventive counter-attack.

Lower head jab.

This jab is strong and quick. It is hard to protect from it due to its unpredictability and unusual direction.

2007-05-19. Moscow ( RUS ). Luzhniki stadium . Dzhavatkhan Atakov ( RUS ) vs Pavel « Kayman » Zhuravlev ( UKR ). Photo on the left : ____, Mike Sheppard (VW, USA), A. Vinnichuk (UKR), P. Zhuravlev (UKR)

Lower head jab is done from the position that is formed after slipping to the left, parrying to the right, rotating body to the left – not from a fighting stance. It can be done from the fighting stance only if the opponent is tall and erect.

Execution. Boxer rapidly sends fist to the target from initial stance or, for instance, after slipping to the left – which leads left hand to be a little bit behind and lower than the opponent’s head level. At the same time he rotates the torso from left to right. Left elbow is drawn down, thumb looks up. Everything else is done the same way as it was described in the basic jab. This punch is made mainly as a preventive blow and is done without stepping forward.

1993-09-02. Novosibirsk (RUS). Alexander Sokolov (RUS) vs Sergey Alles (RUS).

Head jab with move backwards.

This punch is used as a counter-punch against aggressive offense of the opponent. The boxer transfers his body weight to the right leg, throws his fist along direct trajectory towards the opponent, his torso rapidly rotates from left to right in a left hip. Everything else is done in a same way as the basic technique.

If the opponent is particularly aggressive and moves forward to attack, this punch can be combined with step backwards or side step, during which the boxer throws a counter-punch.

Short head jab.

In many cases, boxers end up fighting in a close range. This can happen on purpose or unexpectedly.

In that cases when jabs are thrown, the boxer either does not have time to straighten the arm or does not straighten it on purpose. When touching the target, he rapidly tenses muscles of his wrist, forearm and shoulder and for a second leaves the tensed hand in a position as it was touching the target. This is how so-called short jabs are done.

Except for above described difference, these punches technique doesn’t differ from regular jabs: same hand coordination, same legs and torso moves, and same covers.

That is why we will list only short left head jabs:

Short head jab (similar to basic jab)

Short upper head jab

Short lower head jab

All these jabs can be done with step forward, step backwards or without one. As for the lower head jab, it is a punch interim between jab and uppercut, and the initial position for it can be both fighting stance and positions connected to turning and slipping.

Main jab mistakes :

The head is inclined to the side, pulled back or turned

Elbows are drawn forward, opening the torso and deforming jab trajectory

Hands are dropped down after being put back into initial position

Right elbow drawn to the side, not covering the face

Left body jabs allow the boxer to gain points, get away from head punches, and prepare right counter-punch. There are not a lot of variations for this punch.

Execution. Left body jab (basic) is done from the main position with a step forward or without it. Torso bending forward right is the base of the movement. Bodyweight is transferred to the left leg, directing the hand to the target in a straight line. The fist is pointed fingers down, right hand covers the head from a counter-punch.

This jab is used in the offensive (with step forward) and as a preventive punch against the attacking opponent (without the step). When used in a close range, these jabs are done without inclining and become short jabs. This jab is particularly effective when combined with right footstep forward right.

Head cross

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2008-12-07. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Arthur “Viking” Gasanov (RUS) vs Sean “Hammer” Hinds (NYC. USA).

Cross is used mainly as a counter-punch. It never opens the attack since while doing it the torso opens a lot of vulnerable places, which are hard to cover. It can only be used in the attack when the opponent is opened up.

Execution. From the fighting stance, the bodyweight is transferred to the left leg, while left side of the torso forms a straight line. Then right hip and shoulder rapidly rotate in the direction of a punch and right hand rapidly straightens. Fist moves in a straight line at the shoulder level, and when touches the target, it does a rapid quarter counter-clockwise rotation so that in the moment of punch the palm points down.

In the last phase of the punch right shoulder covers the chin on the right, left fist covers it on the left and on the front. The hand is retracted in the same way as in left jab.

Cross is used to weaken the opponent and make him drop the hands.

What provides this punch its strength is a rapid torso turn to the left around left leg, and simultaneous body throw to the left leg thanks to bending right knee. Right hand starts to straighten when right shoulder reaches the level of left foot. The torso is constantly following the hand. The hand straightens along a linear trajectory from the shoulder to the target.

Depending on the tactical goals and the fight situation, head cross can be used in the offensive, counter-attack or as a preventive punch.

Since attacking cross is easy to notice, it is used in the attack only against very weak or very tired opponent. It is usually prepared by fake or real jabs.

As a preventive punch, head cross can be used against both jabs and crosses. In the first case, the boxer makes a step (half-lunge) left forward to open up the opponent. In the second case, he makes a slight slipping to the left to avoid the punch and directs the hand straight to the head of opponent (for that, he needs to target his left shoulder: the opponent will inevitable move to the left and the punch will get him in the head).

2015-10-23. Moscow-City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-V”. Roman “Vulture” Koshin (RUS) vs Beslan “Nomad”Nasyrov (TKM).

When used as a counter-punch, it is made after slipping to the right, parrying to the right and stepping to the left.

In all the cases the boxer covers his head with a left hand (open glove).

Upper head cross.

While doing this punch, the boxer raises lead elbow up so that the fist is moving almost along a spiral trajectory. As a result, left hand of the opponent will be parried with a lead shoulder or a forearm if he strikes.

2015-12-11. Moscow City. “RAMTL FIGHT-VI”. Sher “Sher-Khan” Mamazulunov (UZB) vs Valery “Gentleman” Pashkovsky (RUS).

If the elbow is raised higher, this punch will become an interim between straight and side punch. To make upper cross more powerful, the boxer can raise on its toes before throwing it.

Lower head cross.

The initial position for this punch is as follows: slightly inclining to the right, rotating torso to the right. Everything else is identical to the basic technique.

Short head cross.

The moment boxers get close to each other, right crosses become short punches (same way it happens with jabs). The technique is similar to basic upper and lower crosses. Short crosses are very strong and impactful for the opponent.

2005-01-18. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in the ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Victor Berezovsky (BLR) vs Tagir Magomedov (RUS).

1994-02-05. Novosibirsk (RUS). RMTL tournament. Dmitry Plyasetsky (BLR) vs Alexander Sokolov (RUS).

Short lower crosses can be done not only after the slipping, but also from the fighing stance.

Body cross should be done the same way as basic cross: rotating the torso and the right hip while making step with the left foot. This punch has three options: with slipping, without slipping and jumping cross.

When doing the cross with slipping to the left, the boxer should make a small lunge and secure head through the slipping. On top of that, the head is covered from a counter-punch with right shoulder and left glove.

2016-02-11. Moscow-City. “Imperiya” Tower. 54 thfloor. “RAMTL FIGHT-VII”. Beybola Samedov (AZB) vs Aexander Krupmov (RUS).

2. Body cross without slipping is a very strong punch. It targets heart area. To get to the target, the boxer makes a deeper lunge forward-left. The head is covered with the left glove.

3. Jump cross is made in a long range fight. To get closer to the opponent, before punching the boxer makes a sliding jump on his right leg: moving bodyweight to the right leg and slightly pulling back, the boxer jumps on his right foot and lands on the left.

The jump should not be headed up, it should be sliding. After the jump, the boxer throws a cross while stepping with the left foot. The jump makes this punch extremely powerful.

Short body crosses.

Short body crosses are used in a short range. They are very impactful and can be done together with moving bodyweight on the right or left leg. Short body crosses are done with the elbow drawn down and the fist pointing thumb up.