Left Jab

• The left jab (for the right-handed fighter) is the basic punch that gets the bag bouncing effectively on the ring that holds it up. Bend your knees and punch down on the bag so it hits the back ring and bounces back to you. As you pound down on the bag, make a circle with your left fist so it is quickly in a position to hit the bag again. The key is to hit down on the biggest part of the bag and have it rebound straight back at you. If the bag is not punched correctly, it will not rebound back toward the boxer.
  
  

Timing

• As you start to jab the bag, you will soon develop an effective rhythm. There's no reason to add speed to the exercise at this point. Your goal is to start punching the bag smoothly. In order to secure the rhythm, you cannot stand still. Instead, you can move side to side as you deliver the punches. Put your weight on your left side as you deliver a punch and then shift it to the right side. This will help prepare you to deliver a right-hand punch.
  
  

Right-Hand Punch

• Continue to deliver your left jab. As you pound the bag in a rhythmic manner, you will deliver a left-hand jab with your weight on the right side. Then shift your weight to the left side. Now deliver a straight right-hand punch. At first, this right-hand punch will most likely be the last punch in your rhythmic delivery. But continue to work at it. As you deliver the hard right hand, shift your weight back to the right. If your timing is on track, you should be ready to deliver another left jab. Once you can keep the bag moving, deliver at least two jabs for every right-hand punch. The left jab, left jab, right cross rhythm is one of the keys to effective boxing.