Closing the gap-getting inside

[Scrap]

YouTube - squarering44's Channel Working the Line

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

The blinding jab wasn't one of mine. In fact, I'd never come across it before I got involved in the Forums. I do have a version of what I believe is referred to as the 'up jab'. To me it's a long range left uppercut, but there you go.

Back to the 'blinding jab', I think it's where the jab is used almost to goad a response where it's popped out really quite slowly; Roberto Duran used to use this type of jab to great effect. I believe another version is where the lead arm stays out,almost 'holding' the opponent at arms length. Hearns used to do this a lot, but usually against shorter opponents or guys he knew he had the beating of. He never did this against Hagler, I guess because Marvin may have torn off his arm and beat him to death with it!

I'd coach the first version but not the second (in the amateur game, the ref would issue a warning.) I notice Scrap has joined the thread. It'd be interesting to know whether the second one is one of the little tricks that a pro trainer would coach or whether it's a personal thing to the boxer (more likely I guess.)

By the way, thanks Herb....again.

[HerbM]

Sorry for wrongly attributing the "blinding jab" to Fran -- don't remember where I saw it then, but the video was similar to what Fran produces so that was what contributed to my confusion.

The blinding jab was just a regular jab that was aimed at the eyes -- it covers any concurrent movement if the step is started shortly before contact or full extension (if the punch is too short to actually hit).

It blinds by blocking vision.

I also agree with Fran, it should NOT be thrown slow, nor "left out" there -- you must practice the movement to begin just as it blocks the eyes and to be complete by the time it uncovers them.

I have played with fine timing though, slowing it JUST A LITTLE near extension to gain a little more time.

That seems ok, depending on your opponent's reaction speed -- don't want someone to rip it off and hit you with it , nor to push it down and change your balance or get past your guard.

This last is very hard to perfect, i.e., a single punch that goes FAST-SLOW-FAST. If I do this I make no real attempt to "hit" the opponent, just to get it near his face and block his vision.

Never do I leave it "out there" even if I slow it a bit near the turn around point.

[Chris Nagel]

Sorry for wrongly attributing the "blinding jab" to Fran -- don't remember where I saw it then, but the video was similar to what Fran produces so that was what contributed to my confusion.

Hi Herb, that's Derek Roche that you're thinking of. I shared the video in the "Training Videos" thread.

Anyway, I'm very busy now (I'm in Shanghai). I just wanted to clear up the confusion.

Regards