Jabs, Flaring Elbows and Shoulder Covers

When you throw a punch, you usually leave lines open for counter-attacks. This is why proper posture, technique and positioning is important to hone or else. When you throw a jab, you need to use the shoulder of your jabbing arm to cover your face or else someone can throw a punch over your jab and nail you. Of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to do this.

Here is one of th wrong ways: You throw a jab and flare out your elbow so as to position your shoulder to rise up and cover your face. Yeah, your face is covered, but the flaring elbow leaves your low line open tremendously as well as the fact that the flaring elbow is weakening your punch.

Here is a tip on correcting the problem: if you need to flare your elbows in order to raise your shoulder, it usually means that you are holding your hands to low in their guard position. If you bring your hands up higher on your face, the elbow will perform its defensive duties automatically and there will be no need to raise it. After all, it will be in th proper position to begin with.