i know that the jab is great for taller people fighting shorter opponents but can the jab be utilized just as effectively when fighting opponents who are taller than you?
Definitely. You can step into the jab to close the distance, and/or jab with your opponent to discourage them from using it to set anything up. As you advance, your jab keeps him from simply throwing or moving any which way.
I was sparring with a much bigger guy last night (195 lb 6, 4" vs 139 5 lb, 8") I'm used to sparring taller guys, but not this drastic. Anyways, it was a good experience for me cuz it made me constantly think and readjust in terms of movement/spacing. For example, what I thought was a good distance to stay out of range was not far enough and I ate too many shots before having to back up further. So his jab was really hard to beat. With guys that are a even few inches taller than me, as long as I am faster, and beat them to the jab, that's usually enough to stop their jab. With this guy, even if I got mine off first, his would still land anyway. It was a bit frustrating. I'm still learning as a boxer, so the lesson for me was - with a significant reach advantage, I cannot rely on speed - I had to slip or parry his jab first before getting mine off. Then get the combo on the inside.
Absolutely. . . Especially to the body. . The jab to the body is one of the most underutilized weapons in boxing, especially when a shorter man is fighting a taller man. . . Aim for either side of rib cage, his heart, or his liver. .. You ahve to be a bit more careful going downstairs. . . And in general wehn you're trying to jab up, and further away against a taller opponent. Just make sure to snap that jab back just as fast as you pop it out. . Picture yourself as a frog, and your jab as the frog's tongue, and you're trying to catch a fly, and eat it. . SNAP OUT! SNAP BACK! If you can find your "sweet spot" range, you can frustrate a taller guy something fierce. . .
All of the above, I have to use my jab a lot because I'm usually at least a bit shorter than my opponents.
Absolutely. Use double and triple jabs to get in side. ie. --- Watch Leanard Dorin vs. Paul Spadafore.
