flex forearm when you jab?

[wordisbond]

What's up guys,
I'm new to this site, and new to training and have a question I hope someone can help me with. I've heard to throw the jab "stiff," but I've also heard that one shouldn't flex their forearm when they punch (better to stay loose). Now if I focus on keeping my wrist straight, I consequently end up flexing the forearm which I'm told is a "no no." This is causing a lot of confusion for me, and wanted to know if any of y'all can provide a better explanation. You input is much appreciated.
-WIB

[Goose]

What's up guys,
I'm new to this site, and new to training and have a question I hope someone can help me with. I've heard to throw the jab "stiff," but I've also heard that one shouldn't flex their forearm when they punch (better to stay loose). Now if I focus on keeping my wrist straight, I consequently end up flexing the forearm which I'm told is a "no no." This is causing a lot of confusion for me, and wanted to know if any of y'all can provide a better explanation. You input is much appreciated.
-WIB

when I throw the jab I keep my hand and fist relaxed, if you squeeze your hand and flex your muscles when throwing any punch you loose speed and may be pushing your punches too much, thus i flex the hand muscle at the end of the punch that way no speed is lost and the power is still there

[SouthpawSlayer]

What's up guys,
I'm new to this site, and new to training and have a question I hope someone can help me with. I've heard to throw the jab "stiff," but I've also heard that one shouldn't flex their forearm when they punch (better to stay loose). Now if I focus on keeping my wrist straight, I consequently end up flexing the forearm which I'm told is a "no no." This is causing a lot of confusion for me, and wanted to know if any of y'all can provide a better explanation. You input is much appreciated.
-WIB


ah you mean tense the forearm muscles not flex

[thejokerswild]

I throw with a synced combination of back, shoulder, tricep. and have been told it's a good natural jab. Still new to this myself tho so I'm not 100% this is right. Hope that helps but.

[wordisbond]

ah you mean tense the forearm muscles not flex

Yes, tense is the proper term.

[wordisbond]

when I throw the jab I keep my hand and fist relaxed, if you squeeze your hand and flex your muscles when throwing any punch you loose speed and may be pushing your punches too much, thus i flex the hand muscle at the end of the punch that way no speed is lost and the power is still there

In order to throw with speed, this theory seems very effective. However, I worry that if I try to tense my hand muscles right at the moment before impact, I may be a split second late and end up hurting my hand or wrist. What if my opponent (or heavy bag) springs forward on me, and I miscalculate the distance? This would surly result in an injury.

I would assume that this method would apply to all the punches thrown, correct?

[Jennifer Love Hewitt]

In order to throw with speed, this theory seems very effective. However, I worry that if I try to tense my hand muscles right at the moment before impact, I may be a split second late and end up hurting my hand or wrist. What if my opponent (or heavy bag) springs forward on me, and I miscalculate the distance? This would surly result in an injury.

I would assume that this method would apply to all the punches thrown, correct?

You can feel it. It does not take that long to tighten up. Once you feel that you've touched the target, you will instinctively tighten up. Your habds will be fine. Don't think so much about it, it comes naturally.

[Kieran]

Quick question. What about when shadowboxing? Is it better to just keep relaxed or tighten up as if making contact with something? I see some people that keep their hands loose and don't fully extend their punches, and others that fully extend and tighten up their fist as if making contact.

[thejokerswild]

Do whatever, do both depends how keen you are. they do those lazy half punches because the extension of the arm in a punch is the tip of the iceberg as far as the whole movement goes. They're syncing their feet, legs, torso, shoulder to do the punch movements.

the actual snap isn't always needed if you've done it for years on end and it's probably better for the elbow joints if you give them a break aswell.