Stiff Jab

Variety

スティッフジャブ(Sutifu Jabu)

Transliteration

Translation: stiff jab

Overview

A rigid, forceful jab that locks out fully on impact to push the opponent back and disrupt their forward movement, prioritizing stopping power over speed.

Also known as
Power JabBoxing[1]Posting JabBoxing[2]Ramrod JabBoxing[3]
Used in
BoxingMMA

History & Origin

The stiff jab locks the wrist and elbow at impact to deliver a jarring, pushing force rather than a snapping blow, designed to stop the opponent's forward momentum. [1] The stiff jab was particularly associated with Lennox Lewis, whose 84-inch reach and rigid jab stopped opponents in their tracks. [2] Dempsey documented the stiff jab as a variation that sacrifices the snap-back speed of the standard jab for greater stopping power and range control. [1] The technique is especially effective against pressure fighters who attempt to walk through lighter jabs. [2]

Effectiveness

The stiff jab locks the wrist and elbow at impact to deliver a jarring, pushing force that can stop an opponent's forward momentum and snap their head back. [1] It is particularly effective for controlling range against pressure fighters. [1]

Lineage

The stiff jab emphasises full arm extension and forward push for maximum stopping power. [1]

Competition Record

Used by tall, rangy fighters in boxing and MMA. [1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Sign in to suggest an image.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist
Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type
Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity

Position & Entry

From orthodox stance — Extend the lead hand straight toward the target, snap back to guard, keep rear hand protecting the chin
From southpaw stance — Same mechanics from the opposite side — lead left hand becomes a right jab
As range finder — Use the jab at long range to measure distance before committing to power shots

Variants

Standard jab — quick, straight lead-hand punch from orthodox stance
Power jab — stepping into the jab with more body weight for increased impact
Double jab — two rapid jabs to set up a follow-up power shot
Body jab — targeting the midsection instead of the head

Videos

No videos yet

Help build this encyclopedia by suggesting a relevant video.

Sign in to suggest a video.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Sign in to suggest a course.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

5
High5/10

Jab/cross; fundamental striking tool, cumulative brain trauma risk

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Beginner
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Restricted
Kyokushin — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— 1 point
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
WBC/Boxing — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— yuko
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF
— ITF — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permi...
ITF Competition RulesPDF
— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
K-1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Lock the arm at full extension momentarily on impact — the stiff jab is designed to stop and push back rather than snap
✓Drive through the target with shoulder and bodyweight, making the opponent feel the punch even through the guard
✓The stiff jab is a range-control weapon: it physically keeps the opponent at the end of your reach
✓Wladimir Klitschko mastered the stiff jab, using it to maintain distance and frustrate aggressive shorter fighters
✓Use the stiff jab when backing up: it arrests the opponent's forward movement better than a snap jab
✓Follow the stiff jab with a rear hand shot while the opponent is still absorbing the push
✓The stiff jab works best against opponents who walk forward with a high guard — you push through the guard into their face

Common Mistakes

!Pushing the opponent away with a straight arm without any snap at the point of contact — it becomes a foul (pushing)
!Locking the arm before reaching the target, which reduces impact and looks like an extended arm rather than a punch
!Leaving the stiff jab out too long — even though it lingers more than a snap jab, it must still return to guard
!Using the stiff jab in close range where the opponent can slip under the extended arm and counter inside
!Not varying between stiff and snap jabs — using only the stiff jab makes your timing one-dimensional
!Forgetting footwork: the stiff jab works with backward or lateral movement, not while standing still
!Reaching from the waist instead of stepping — the stiff jab needs foot-to-fist alignment to transmit force

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Fighting Stance — begin from a balanced stance with hands protecting the chin
2Weight Transfer — shift weight from rear to lead foot (jab) or rotate hips (cross)
3Extend — drive the fist straight toward the target along the centre line
4Snap Back — retract the hand quickly to defensive position

Sources & References

Primary Source

Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)

1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)

Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing (Fleischer, 1958) [3] The Sweet Science (Liebling, 1956)

2BookThe Boxing Register (Roberts & Skutt, 2006)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)

3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention

Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities

4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)

Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Boxing (Fleischer, 1958) [3] The Sweet Science (Liebling, 1956)

5CitationThe Boxing Register (Roberts & Skutt, 2006)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)

Community

Athletics

Requires

hand speed, shoulder endurance, quick retraction

Favours

longer reach for keeping opponents at distance

Key muscles

anterior deltoid, triceps, serratus anterior, core

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Stiff Jab work?

A rigid, forceful jab that locks out fully on impact to push the opponent back and disrupt their forward movement, prioritizing stopping power over speed.

Where does the Stiff Jab come from?

The stiff jab locks the wrist and elbow at impact to deliver a jarring, pushing force rather than a snapping blow, designed to stop the opponent's forward momentum. The stiff jab was particularly associated with Lennox Lewis, whose 84-inch reach and rigid jab stopped opponents in their tracks.

Is the Stiff Jab legal in competition?

Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, jodan/chudan punch scores 1 point (yuko) — controlled contact required; Kyokushin: restricted — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned; WT: restricted — Punches to trunk only (1 point), punches to head banned; ITF: legal — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permitted; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body; IFMA: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Stiff Jab?

Danger rating 5/10. High — jab/cross; fundamental striking tool, cumulative brain trauma risk

How do I set up the Stiff Jab?

The standard setup chain: Fighting Stance → Weight Transfer → Extend → Snap Back.

How do I defend against the Stiff Jab?

Standard counters include: Slip — move the head off the centre line to evade the punch / Parry — deflect the incoming punch with a quick hand redirection / Counter Cross — time a straight punch over the incoming attack.

What are the variants of the Stiff Jab?

Common variants: Standard jab (quick, straight lead-hand punch from orthodox stance); Power jab (stepping into the jab with more body weight for increased…); Double jab (two rapid jabs to set up a follow-up power shot); Body jab (targeting the midsection instead of the head).

How effective is the Stiff Jab in competition?

Used by tall, rangy fighters in boxing and MMA.

What are common mistakes when doing the Stiff Jab?

Top errors to watch for: Pushing the opponent away with a straight arm without any snap at the point of contact — it becomes a foul (pushing) / Locking the arm before reaching the target, which reduces impact and looks like an extended arm rather than a punch / Leaving the stiff jab out too long — even though it lingers more than a snap jab, it must still return to guard / Using the stiff jab in close range where the opponent can slip under the extended arm and counter inside.

What are other names for the Stiff Jab?

The Stiff Jab is also known as Sutifu Jabu, Power Jab, Posting Jab, Ramrod Jab.

stiff jabsutifu jabustrikepunchstraight punchjabstandard jaborthodox jabboxingmmapower jabposting jabramrod jab