how to counter the counter jab

[WayneFlint]

I agree this really is the best boxing forum ive come across by far.

[HerbM]

This is sort of a late reply, but I have done this exercise during shadow sparring (maybe with light taps/hits).

My coach insists we be able to catch (with power hand) and throw a jab simultaneously. [Or even vice versa, but this is the most common.]

Usually this is in the form of "catch his and throw at the same time" but there is no reason this cannot be done as "throw yours and catch his as he counters".

I even cheat a little bit (as long as it works) by throwing the jab and pre-loading* the catch as it seems likely that a lot of opponents will throw that counter jab. (Danger here is to get over focused on that catch and miss his counter right so you have to also be attentive to that against a better opponent AND when coach is letting your throw both hands.)

*A friend of mine who teaches Systema calls this spinal loading, where you prepare a move consciously and (in effect) load it into your spinal reflexes -- while this may not be technically accurate in neurological terms, it works as at least an accurate metaphor. It's pretty much similar to what a batter does when waiting for a baseball pitch or a base runner does when waiting for the batter to hit.

The base runner may be a better example since he is likely loading to (even contradictory) actions: 1) to RUN on the hit, and 2) to RETURN to base on the throw for the pick off.

Loading multiple actions is possible but is probably limited a few before the value of pre-loading is lost to the difficulty of having (some many) choices.

--
HerbM