The jab is a straight punch thrown with the lead hand from guard. It is the most used strike in all of professional combat sports. This punch is fast and covers a short distance to reach the target. Fighters use the jab to measure distance and set up harder strikes. It also serves as a defensive tool to keep an opponent away. A stiff jab can snap the opponent’s head back and disrupt their vision. Constant jabbing can cause swelling and irritation over several rounds of a fight. The power comes from a small step forward and a snapping arm. Most combinations in mixed martial arts begin with this fundamental lead hand strike. An athlete uses a double jab to get inside the reach of an opponent. Keeping the chin tucked behind the shoulder protects the jaw from a counter. Snapping the hand back to the face immediately after the strike maintains the defense. This simple punch dictates the pace and the distance of most standing encounters.