Yellow Belt Punches, Kicks and Strikes

The jab is probably the most common punch out there. It is used for its speed and range, though it lacks power compared to most other punches. It is also one of the punches most likely to land, uses less energy, can be thrown from a range of different angles with respect to your opponent, and doesn’t leave you very vulnerable, while still lining you up for a more powerful punch like a reverse punch or a hook. Because of this, it can be used as bait and for offense or defense, as it can make your opponent plant their feet, blink, or go for a block or evasion, thus making them vulnerable to a more powerful attack. More than anything, the jab is used to keep your opponent guessing. To perform it, start in Zenkutsu Dachi on guard and quickly snap your leading arm directly in front of you with a loose fist. Keep your elbows in so that you don’t flap the arm out, which is infamously known as “chicken winging.” Rotate the entire arm in by rotating at the shoulder so that your curled fingers start facing in and end facing down. Right before the moment of impact, as with any punch, tighten your fist. This will protect your fingers, but also endow your punch with more strength. Tighten too soon or too late and the result will be a slower, weaker punch. A variation of the jab is the stepping jab. For this simply step forward with your leading foot as you jab and return it to Zenktsu Dachi as you snap back from the jab. This is useful for when you need more reach and will also eliminate your need to lean forward into your punch, which is a common beginner mistake. Another mistake, as with most punches, is to try to pull the arm back  or drop at the hips before executing a technique in an attempt to make it stronger. While this may be true, you will also be telegraphing (e.g. making your intentions obvious) and making the technique that much slower. These combined will make your attack easier to defend against, evade, and/or counter. Finally, be loose when you perform this and any technique. Tensing up at the shoulder or any other area will only expend energy and make you slower.