Jab vs. Backfist

[elbows_and_knees]

back fists are stronger and can knock some one out a lot easier then a wimpy jab

No, they are not. the snapping backfist is rather weak. A slower, non-whipping backfist is extremely telegraphic and not necessarily as strong. A spinning backfist would be stronger, but is telegraphic nonetheless. you are sacrificing a little extra power for efficiency. Notice how many KOs are caused with a cross and how few you see from a spinning backfist? there is a reason.

How many have you EVER seen caused by a snapping backfist?

[Dragn]

I used to do alot of back fists when I was doing traditional styles. I thought it was more powerfull than the jab. But that was just because I didnt really know how to throw a good solid jab, using footwork, hip and shoulder, to really get behind it.

Now that I do, I dont even consider using a backfist. I feel it pales in comparrison. At least from a boxers perspective anyway.

But for some arts the backfist is an important part of the styles way of moving, countering etc. It just fits well with the styles flow. So which is faster or more powerfull becomes irrelevant.

Different strokes for different folks.

[elbows_and_knees]

back fists are stronger and can knock some one out a lot easier then a wimpy jab

watch sonny liston box. he was known for a good, hard jab, as are other boxers. It's sometimes called a shotgun jab. I won my first ring fight from a KO off of a jab.

[Jiffy]

We use both. Jab is definately more powerful!

[ThePhenom]

ooo i thought you meant spinning back fist....is a regular backfist similar to a jab not getting your hips in it?

[bushido_man96]

ooo i thought you meant spinning back fist....is a regular backfist similar to a jab not getting your hips in it?

You may not be able to get your hips into a jab, but you can definitely get some bodyweight into one. I have always felt that the lead, snapping backfist just moved from the elbow with a flick.

[Jiffy]

You can put your hips into a jab.

Take for example a right jab...

In right stance, start with your hips square. Then, as you throw your punch, rotate the hips to 45 degrees. BUT, instead of pivoting in the centre of your body like you normally would, make the pivot point your left hip so that you pivot into the punch, not on the spot.

[Jiffy]

PS - this is an unconventional way of doing the technique. It is not the way I was orginally taught the technique, but one that I have since proven to be more powerful than the traditional method (for me at least)

[bushido_man96]

You can put your hips into a jab.

Take for example a right jab...

In right stance, start with your hips square. Then, as you throw your punch, rotate the hips to 45 degrees. BUT, instead of pivoting in the centre of your body like you normally would, make the pivot point your left hip so that you pivot into the punch, not on the spot.

Thanks, Jiffy. I was kind of going over the technique in my head, and I thought the hips could go into it, but not to the extent of the cross. Therefore, I erred on the side of caution.

I guess even when I do a quick jab, I still jut my lead hip forward, into the technique a little. I do the same with the backfist, but the backfist goes sideways, but my hip goes forward. The motions seem to be counter-productive to each other, as near as I can tell.

[little kicker]

i think id go for jab then backfist less chance of them seeing it coming i think