blog for May 26 ANOTHER BOXING LESSON: THE JAB

The jab is a boxer’s tool for breaking his opponent’s rhythm and following up with a combination. The secret to an effective jab is in its speed rather than its power. When delivering the jab, aim for the middle of your opponent’s forehead so as to knock his head back. You will disrupt his rhythm, which gives you the opportunity to follow up with a roundhouse. Other secrets to an effective jab are keeping on your toes and loosening your knees. Then when you step into the jab, you will add power to the punch.

In The Deadliest Returns, Phoebe’s litter is attacked by a monstrous man she labeled The Tree:

It was as if I were looking at a savage-faced tree rather than a human being. His nutmeg skin, weathered like the bark of a sun-scalded olive tree, was seamed with splits and grooves while his body, cloaked in black, merged with the night.

The Tree caught Phoebe’s bearer with a double jab to the nose and a roundhouse swing that clipped the side of his head, blasted the air out of him, and sent him sprawling.

The lesson for now is that you might encounter someone like The Tree with better boxing skills than yours. But for now, to find out why Phoebe and her bearer were on such a dangerous mission and what ultimately happened to them, click here.