Jack Dempsey's Jolt

[Dave1066]

That video on Dempsey falling step is poor. I commented under that video on you tube awhile back. As somebody that references Dempseys book a lot. You need to read it all from front to back. As the information is a little spread out..He clearly states the difference between the jolt using a falling step(or trigger step) and a jab. He argues why the jolt is better than the jab and how modern boxers are becoming reliant on the jab. The jolt done properly with the left or right hand is a knock out punch, a jab is not a knock out punch.

As somebody that uses the trigger step with a jolt and a normal jab without the falling step. I can tell you they are completely different punches and need different techniques. You can add a falling step to an jab. But its not as good and the balance is slightly wrong. I would not recommend it. Largely down to the fact, if you want to throw a powerful jab without a falling step, not only do you need to pivot on your left front foot, but also pivot correctly on your rear right foot. If you don't pivot on your right foot correctly, your balance will be out. You will try and compensate and you wont be able to throw any powerful follow up punches. I would use the jab without a falling step, and use the jolt as Dempsey says with a falling step.

Remember Dempsey say Preliminary movement of right foot. Which mean do not move your right foot before the left. He tells you to rest lightly on the ball of your right foot. By move your right foot he means from that position( not and inch backwards, forwards, sideways) but upwards onto your ball is fine. When you start the trigger step you move off with your left foot pushed(triggered) by the right foot leg. Then you can move your right foot forward to recover your balance. This is hard to explain. And really does require a lot of practice.

Ok ok, i'll copy and paste the relevant bits from Dempseys book.

"5. Failure to teach the FALLING STEP ("trigger step") for straight punching has resulted in the LEFT JAB being used generally as a light,auxiliary weapon for making openings and "setting up," instead of as a stunning blow."

"Now-without any preliminary movement-take a long, quick step forward with your left foot, toward the object at which your left toe had beenpointing (Figure 4). I emphasize: NO PRELIMINARY MOVEMENT BEFORE THE STEP.You unquestionably will be tempted to shift some of the weight from the left foot to the right foot just before you step. But don't do it. Donothing with the right foot, which is resting lightly on its ball, NO PRELIMINARY MOVEMENT! Just lift the left foot and LET THE BODY FALLFORWARD IN A LONG, QUICK STEP. The left foot should land flat and solid on the floor at the end of the step.It is a quick, convulsive and extremely awkward step. Yet, it's one of the most important steps of your fistic life; for that falling-forward lurch isthe rough diamond out of which will be ground the beautiful, straight knockout jolt. It's the gem-movement of straight punching.Try that falling step many times. Make certain, each time, that you start from a comfortably balanced position, that the body-weight is restinglargely on the left leg, that the knees are slightly bent, that the arms are at your side, and that you make no preliminary movement with the rightfoot.I call that forward lurch a "falling step." Actually, every step in walking involves a small "fall." Walking is a series of "falls." But in this particular step, the fall is exaggerated for two reasons: (1) your weight is well forward when you step off, and (2) the step is so long that it gives gravity achance to impart unusual momentum to your body-weight. The solidity with which your left foot landed upon the floor was caused by your momentum. The late Joe Gans rarely missed with a long, straight punch; but, when he did you could hear for half a block the smack of his leftsole on the canvas.Although the weight of your body was resting largely upon your left foot when you stepped off, you didn't fall to the floor. Why? Because thealert ball of your right foot came to the rescue frantically and gave your body a forward spring in a desperate attempt to keep your bodybalanced upright-to maintain its equilibrium. Your rescuing right foot acted not only as did the slope of the hill for the sledding boy, but also as aspringboard in the side of the hill might have functioned had the sledding boy whizzed onto a springboard on the side of the hill. The left footserves as a "trigger" to spring the right foot. So, the falling step sometimes is called the Trigger Step.I warned: DON'T MAKE A PRELIMINARY MOVEMENT before stepping off. Had you followed your natural inclination and shifted your weightto the right foot before stepping, that action would have started your body-weight moving backward-away from the direction in which youintended to step. Then you would have had to lose a split-second while your right foot was stopping the backward motion and shifting your weight forward again before the punching step could be taken.Learn now and remember always that in fighting you cannot afford to give your body the luxury of a useless preliminary or preparatorymovement before shooting a punch. In the first place, your target may be open for only a split-second, and you must take advantage of thatopening like a bolt of lightning. Secondly, preliminary movements are give-aways-"tell-tales"-"telegraphs"-that treacherously betray to your opponent your own next action.Joe Louis was knocked out in his first fight with Max Schmeling principally because tell-tale movements of Joe's left glove disclosed the factthat he was preparing to shoot a left jab. Schmeling timed Joe's telegraphs and smashed him again and again with straight rights to the head. "

"Herr Maxie smashed him every time that careless left hand beckoned.You now know how to set your weight into motion for a straight jolt-by means of the falling step. Next we must consider the second part of the jolt: CONVEYING THE MOVING BODY-WEIGHT AND EXPLODING IT AGAINST YOUR OPPONENT.However, before studying the movements in conveyance and explosion, it will be necessary for you to understand clearly the line of power that all successful conveyance and explosion must follow."

" I use the expression "left jolt" instead of "left jab" because I don't want you to confuse the type of straight left you will throw, with the futilestraight left or "jab" used by most current amateur and professional boxers. Most of them couldn't knock your hat off with their left jabs. Withtheir lefts, they tap, they slap, they flick, they paw, they "paint." Their jabs are used more to confuse than to stun.Their jabs are used as fluttering defensive flags to prevent their poorly instructed opponents from "getting set to punch." A good fighter doesn't have to "get set." He's always ready to punch. Some of them use their jabs merely to make openings for their rights. And that'sdangerously silly, for the proper brand of feinting would accomplish the same purpose. With but few exceptions, they do not use the left jab as asmashing jolt that can be an explosive weapon by itself-that can knock you down or knock you out.There are two reasons why the left jolt is a rarity in fighting today. First, nearly all current boxers launch their jabs with the non-step shoulder whirl. Secondly, nearly all have been fed the defensive hokum that it's less dangerous to try to tap an opponent with the left than to try to knockhim down with the left.Concerning that defensive hokum, let me say this: Any time you extend your left fist either for a tap or for an all-out punch, you're taking agamble on being nailed with a counter-punch. And the sap who uses "light stuff"-rapping, flicking, etc.-has his left hand extended much moreoften than the explosive left-jolter, who doesn't waste punches-doesn't shoot until he has feinted or forced his opponent into an opening. It's truethat you can "recover" your balance more quickly after missing a tap than after missing a hard punch. But it's also true that an opponent who isdefending only against taps and slaps will be much more alert to counter than will an opponent who is being bombed.My advice to all beginners is this: Use a light left jab only in one instance-in the so-called one-two punch- when your left fist strikes the opponent's forehead to tip his head back, so that your immediately following straight right can nail him on the chin."

Really as he says. The Striaght jolt using the falling step needs practice and then some more practice. It is not one of the easier punches to learn. But when you do learn to use it. It is a powerful technique. After the left foot has fallen foward and you've pushed with the ball of your right foot. It is fine to bring the root foot forward, which is the point Dempsey is making when he mentions the boy on the sledge and the spring board,Shoots forward. To anchor yourself and reset balance.

In chapter 14 he explains Straight punches like jabs, using shoulder whirls, rotation from the shoulders down to your feet. He doesn't really explain to pivot correctly with your right foot. But if you goto a good gym, they will point that out. What you do with your right root when punching a left jab is very important for maximum power and balance.

Hope this helps. And doesn't add to the confusion!