Jab, Jab Punch

I have thrown innumerable jabs in karate, but I learned something new about it at tonight's class. My natural fighting position is more turned sideways as opposed to a boxer's stance. It is a habit built over years of defending against and throwing kicks.

The problem with a sideways stance is that the jab ends up like a back fist - quick and snappy, but lacking any real power. The key is to square up my shoulders prior to throwing the jab. This stance allows the jab to come out straighter and puts more of the weight of my body behind the jab.

Tonight's class consisted of bag work - jab, jab punch, jab punch lead hand inverted punch. There is just something cathartic about punching a bag and my skinned knuckles are evidence of it.