How deep should you step, when jabbing from the outside

[MadSquabbles500]

How deep should you step, when you jab from the outside, relative to your own arm length and how far the opponent is? I hear you should just take a step deep enough to reach, but dont you also want to go through your target to? So if you are outside range, and need to step, should you step deep or shallow just enough to make contact?

 

[Sinister]

You dont need to go through the target with the jab, thats what you find the target with. The power hand is the optimal hand to penetrate with.

 

[panamaican]

I agree with Sinister but I'll phrase it more broadly. You step deep enough to set up your follow up - whether it's the power hand, the clinch, a knee or whatever.

 

[SummerStriker]

For kick boxing / mma, I like to step in just deep enough, and then let the target determine the second hit in my combo. If they step up, I throw the right or hook. If they step in deep, I clinch, and if they step back and give me room, I kick. In this way, I can almost never be caught or taken down throwing a kick and I have optimal room.

One of the main things that gets people countered is selecting their combo before they know their opponent's reaction, and then carrying through no matter what.

 

[HighestHand]

If they are our of range, don't step to reach if you risk giving up position and a good posture.

 

[a guy]

Stepping in too deep is one of the biggest mistakes you see in MMA when people try to jab.

 

[Jukai]

Stepping in too deep is one of the biggest mistakes you see in MMA when people try to jab.

GSP made a near-GOAT career out of it. Stepped so damn wide he could never follow up but he always timed it so well and used it to move laterally that the opponent never really followed through well.

 

[a guy]

GSP made a near-GOAT career out of it. Stepped so damn wide he could never follow up but he always timed it so well and used it to move laterally that the opponent never really followed through well.

He's a unique case because he wasn't often trying to hurt his opponent with his other punches. And when he was, he generally failed because of how committed his jabs were. It took away his ability to do pretty much anything but land hard jabs on the feet. But all he needed was to keep people at range and outpoint them until he got openings to take them down. When the goal is to out-strike someone and you jab like that, it's a problem. It's the reason you see so many guys jabbing and moving on the outside, only to sprint forward with power punches and no jab to be seen when they actually want to attack.

 

[fightingrabbit]

My jab runs so deep. So deep, so deep put her ass to sleep.

 

[Devonmac95]

depends really, im shorter so i have to step further to reach, but instead of taking a deep step with my lead leg, leaving me stretched out, i bring my back foot with me, like you would with a stepping straight right, so im still in my stance while closing the distance

 

[sourdiesel209]

Stepping in too far is a no no if low kicks are involved, you give up your leg in a silver platter...

 

[MadSquabbles500]

You dont need to go through the target with the jab, thats what you find the target with. The power hand is the optimal hand to penetrate with.

But why not make it count if you can? I mean, if you can already just touch the opponent's face, and that is all you want to do, then why not just stick your jab hand out completely like Nick Diaz, and not even punch? Just use it reach the guy, clear a path, and go into clinch from there.

 

[Devonmac95]

Stepping in too far is a no no if low kicks are involved, you give up your leg in a silver platter...

i dont get how that would work, since you can jam up a low kick by stepping in close

 

[sourdiesel209]

i dont get how that would work, since you can jam up a low kick by stepping in close

your not jamming anything, your putting your leg in the line of fire of a low kick, and also your weight

I know because I like to jab from the outside alot in MT and sparring partners would time a low kick when I did it too much..

 

[Nuclearlandmine]

But why not make it count if you can? I mean, if you can already just touch the opponent's face, and that is all you want to do, then why not just stick your jab hand out completely like Nick Diaz, and not even punch? Just use it reach the guy, clear a path, and go into clinch from there.

Must...resist....trashing.....Diaz........
In seriousness, jab is the punch you use to set up your power shots and find the target. There's really no need to "make it count" for a punch that is inherently the weakest punch of the arsenal. And smart opponent won't let you just stick your jab hand out to reach him without either he move out or you getting a counter right. Let's just assume your opponent is smart, shall we?

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Must...resist....trashing.....Diaz........
In seriousness, jab is the punch you use to set up your power shots and find the target. There's really no need to "make it count" for a punch that is inherently the weakest punch of the arsenal. And smart opponent won't let you just stick your jab hand out to reach him without either he move out or you getting a counter right. Let's just assume your opponent is smart, shall we?

Lets say you dont just leave it out, but why even punch though. Just shoot it out and reach for the back of the opponents head, and hit him with the cross. If he wants get out of the way he has to duck.

 

[a guy]

Lets say you dont just leave it out, but why even punch though. Just shoot it out and reach for the back of the opponents head, and hit him with the cross. If he wants get out of the way he has to duck.

Or, you know, not just stand there and let you grab him.

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Or, you know, not just stand there and let you grab him.

But that would be the same if you tried to touch him with the jab. So then why not just try and jab him hard, and try to go through your target?

 

[a guy]

But that would be the same if you tried to touch him with the jab. So then why not just try and jab him hard, and try to go through your target?

Reaching behind someone's head and grabbing a collar tie is the same thing as hitting them with a jab that isn't overcommitted? What?

 

[goldennboy]

I step pretty deep on a jab to the body. Head off center