datguy Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 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? “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
JusticeZero Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 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. "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly." - Baleia
JCavin Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 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 positionNot 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. -James Cavin-
Montana Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 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). If you don't want to stand behind our troops, please..feel free to stand in front of them.Student since January 1975---4th Dan, retired due to non-martial arts related injuries.
DWx Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 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) "Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius
Liver Punch Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 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. "A gun is a tool. Like a butcher knife or a harpoon, or uhh... an alligator."― Homer, The Simpsons
datguy Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 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. “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Lee M Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 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! martial arts training boxing for the streetstreet boxing
sensei8 Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 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. **Proof is on the floor!!!
JusticeZero Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 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. "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly." - Baleia
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