How do I check my jab technique at home?
Throw the jab slowly in front of a mirror, or film it from the side and from the front, and look for five things: the lead hand dropping on the way out or back, the rear hand leaving your chin, the elbow flaring, the punch starting from the arm instead of the feet, and the hand lingering out after contact. Each has a visible signature, which is why a camera catches what a coach would.
The five faults and their signatures
Look for one at a time. Slow motion helps; so does filming from the side, where the elbow and the return are easiest to see.
- Lead hand drops: on the return, your glove dips below chin height before it gets home. Cue: bring it back along the same line it went out.
- Rear hand drops: your guard hand drifts down or out while the jab travels. Cue: glue the rear glove to the cheek.
- Elbow flares: the elbow swings outward instead of staying under the fist. Cue: turn the fist over late, not early.
- Arm punch: the shoulders and hips stay square and still; the jab has no step or weight shift behind it. Cue: small step, then punch.
- Lazy return: the hand hangs out for a beat after full extension. Cue: snap it back faster than it went out.
Front view versus side view
The front view shows the guard and the line of the punch; the side view shows the elbow, the weight shift and the return. If you can only film one, film the side first, because it exposes the two faults that hurt you most in a real exchange.
A five-minute check
Ten slow jabs looking for one fault, ten more looking for the next. Then ten at speed, filmed, and watch it back at half speed. Fix one thing per session. Beginners who try to fix all five at once usually fix none and start flinching.
Questions people ask
Should the jab rotate to palm-down?
Most coaches teach a late turn so the fist lands palm-down, which lines the knuckles up and protects the wrist. Turning too early is what makes the elbow flare, so think of the turn as the last thing that happens.
How far should I step with the jab?
A few inches with the lead foot, landing as the punch lands, with the rear foot following to restore the stance. A big step is slow and leaves you spread out.