Jab vs. Backfist

Hi. I just got to thinking, a jab and a backfist cover about the same distance but you can create much more power with a backfist. Why do most people prefer a jab as opposed to a backfist?

Because a backfist covers a wider area and thus cannot be slipped through holes as easily, and may require you to lift your elbow further and open yourself up more.

Jabs are a much more useful punch than a backfist. A backfist has it's place, though.

For instance, here are some uses of the jab:

- Gauge distance

- Cover eyes for your power hand

- Slip between hands in guard position

Not to mention the fact that there are multiple types of jabs. Stiff jab, flicking jab, setup jab, switch jab.

The straight line makes it much faster and harder to see coming as well as making it easier to throw rapidly in succession.

Hi. I just got to thinking, a jab and a backfist cover about the same distance but you can create much more power with a backfist. Why do most people prefer a jab as opposed to a backfist?

The jab and the backfist each have their own advantages and are used for different things.

The backfist has more power? I would doubt that, as the jab can have the body weight behind it, whereas the backfist only has the momentum of the arm behind it for the most part.

The jab is used to attack straight on to your opponent, whereas the backfist comes from the side and attacks more to the side of the opponent (side of the head for example as opposed to straight on to the face with the jab).

Backfist vs jab depends on a whole lotta stuff. Two totally different ways to generate power. The backfist can be more powerful but it has disadvantages too which is why I personally prefer the jab:

- for the jab you can basically keep a guard and fire it off whilst keeping yourself behind your arm, with the backfist you come round and in arc so have to open yourself up

- jab's quicker

- lots of types of jabs (JCavin already alluded to them) and the jab is a great opener for other techniques, backfist just seems a bit more limited

- can retract the jab quicker (ready to do another one)

Backfist vs jab depends on a whole lotta stuff. Two totally different ways to generate power. The backfist can be more powerful but it has disadvantages too which is why I personally prefer the jab:

- for the jab you can basically keep a guard and fire it off whilst keeping yourself behind your arm, with the backfist you come round and in arc so have to open yourself up

- jab's quicker

- lots of types of jabs (JCavin already alluded to them) and the jab is a great opener for other techniques, backfist just seems a bit more limited

- can retract the jab quicker (ready to do another one)

I think this pretty much covers it. You're protected, it's a linear motion, and speed, speed, speed.

My backfists have been reduced to about two techniques. One is spinning, and the other is used directly after a lead hook to take advantage of the space (hopefully) opened up by my hook. Other than that - I throw jabs by the dozen.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still somewhat new to the martial arts so I appreciate you guys/gals for being patient and explaining these things to me.

The backfist lends itself to being side on and pushing off covering more ground for points fighting.

I also think you can perform the back fist faster to and its a little harder to see coming from the side.

You can land a jab with much more force - one of the 4 types of jab is the "ram" afterall.

Just got back into points fighting last 3 weeks - my backfist was a big weapon for me - although I present my mind if faster than my body!

Isn't ones methodology something else. For me, I prefer the backfist over the jab because I'm more comfortable with it. Imho, both have many pros and cons across the board.

Right; I study backfist (well, a snappy chop really) but not jab because a jab comes out of a hand position that isn't really where my stance has them. All the positions where my hands are up in that chambering position, i'm in a position where a jab doesn't really make a lot of sense. Jab someone in the kneecap? The calf? The groin, maybe? I guess that last might make sense, but it's not the only tool I have for that.

Other people might not have their hands in position for a backfist. Wouldn't make sense for them to mix it in.