Striking Combination Double Jab Straight Punch to Body Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages for martial artists self-defense practitioners and boxers of using the double jab and straight punch to the body....nnThe boxing jab is a fast snappy punch normally executed with the lead hand. It's advantages are speed and surprise. It's disadvantages are, generally speaking only, a lack of power and "finishing" ability. Though, I must admit I've seen some very powerful jabs including those from George Foreman. I can even recall myself catching a guy right a time or two and knocking them on their okoles with just a jab.nnThe straight rear hand punch, commonly referred to as the straight right by orthodox or left lead fighters has it's advantages in power and finishing or knockout ability. It's disadvantages are, once again in general, a lack of surprise since the punch comes from a greater distance coupled by a lack of speed due to a greater number of larger muscle groups involved in the execution of the strike.nnThe Double JabnnThe single jab itself has limited effectiveness due to the reasons stated above. The double jab however has a greater shock value and a greater potential to set your opponent up for a finishing strike.nnThe double jab can be used at the same target. Quite often the second jab striking your opponent has he/she lowers his/her guard after successfully blocking the initial jab. The double jab may also be used to head and body, body and head. The advantage of such a combination being the movement of your opponent's defense up and down. Generally speaking the more you can get an opponent to move his/her arms the greater the chance of you successfully striking your opponent.nnCombining The Double Jab and Straight PunchnnThe double jab and straight rear hand punch is a classic boxing combination. Many nontrained boxers I boxed were headhunters. Primarily concerned with hitting me in the head and knocking the few brains I had left out. I recall reading research years ago stating that what one lacks in offense one will generally lack in defense. One way to address this issue of headhunting and taking advantage of this theory is the the titled combination.nnAdvantages of the Double Jab and Straight Rear Hand Punch to the BodynnAfter two double jabs to the head your opponent's body has a greater chance of being open.nnIf one or both jabs strike your opponent he/she may be less prepared for a strike to the solar plexus. Located just below the chest and not as protected by abdominal muscles.nnThe slight hip movement of the jabs will give a further rotation to the straight rear hand punch allowing for greater generation of power by increasing travel distance. A stretched muscle, like a rubber band, being more efficient than a muscle in it's state of normal contractionnnDisadvantages of the Double Jab and Straight Rear Hand Punch to the BodynnSince the straight rear hand "finishing" punch is directed at the body there's less likely chance of finishing your opponent .nnAs in any striking combination, openings are created on the attacker during the attack. In this case if the combination fails you become vulnerable to a left jab or a left hook. When I first started boxing I didn't have much of a straight rear hand strike. I was taught the type of reverse punch which allowed for no twisting of the hips when I first began martial arts and it limited my power greatly. However, due to the ability I picked up to combine hip motion with my front hand my hooking punch became, well, devastating. I once TKOed (technical knockout) a guy with an almost fully extended arm and twist of my hips striking him right on the point of the chin. When he slid down the ropes onto his okole I was grateful. I thought I was going to lose that fight.nnAny planned attack has its human factor. You can never ass-u-me your opponent will react a certain way when he/she is struck. Therefore alternate reflexes of combinations must be developed.nnConclusionnnAdd the double jab and straight rear hand strike to your arsenal. At the very least practicing against it will prepare you to defend against that particular angles of attack. At the very most, you will add another "finishing" touch to your repertoire of weapons.