How should the jab feint look to be effective?

The feint must look real, involving a rise in the lead shoulder and potentially a slight step with the lead foot. The lead hand must stay high during both the feint and the cross, never dropping to 'sell' the feint.

What is the timing for the cross after the feint?

The cross should arrive within 0.2 seconds of the feint to capitalize on the opening created by the opponent's defensive reaction.

What are common mistakes to avoid with this technique?

Common mistakes include feinting too small so the opponent does not react, feinting too large which over-commits and leaves a gap, performing a purposeless feint without following up with a cross, and dropping the lead hand during the feint which opens you to a counter.

Who is known for using the jab-feint-cross combination?

Floyd Mayweather is noted for building fights around the jab-feint-cross combination.

What drills can help practice this technique?

You can practice by mirroring the movement without throwing a punch to focus on the lead shoulder rise. Alternatively, with a partner, have them parry on every jab feint while you fire the cross when their hand moves.

combinationsintermediate

Jab Feint - Cross

In Short

The Jab Feint-Cross is a two-punch combination where the lead hand fakes a jab by moving the shoulder without throwing the punch, baiting a defensive reaction before firing a cross through the opening. It is effective against opponents who parry or pull repeatedly and requires the cross to arrive within 0.2 seconds of the feint.

A two-punch combination where the lead hand fakes a jab — the lead shoulder moves but the punch never arrives — and the cross fires through the opening. Used to bait a defensive reaction. Floyd Mayweather built fights on the jab-feint-cross.

Key points

▸The feint must look real — lead shoulder rises, lead foot may step slightly.
▸The cross arrives within 0.2 seconds of the feint.
▸The lead hand stays high during the feint and the cross — never drops to "sell" the feint.
▸Use against opponents who parry or pull repeatedly.

Common mistakes

✗Feint too small — opponent does not react.
✗Feint too large — over-commits, leaves a gap to be exploited.
✗No cross — purposeless feint.
✗Dropping the lead hand during the feint — opens to a counter.

Drills

Mirror: practise the feint without throwing — focus on lead shoulder rise only.
Partner: partner parries on every jab feint; you fire the cross when their hand moves.

Related techniques

Jab Cross One-Two (1-2)Parry Counter

Frequently Asked

How should the jab feint look to be effective?: The feint must look real, involving a rise in the lead shoulder and potentially a slight step with the lead foot. The lead hand must stay high during both the feint and the cross, never dropping to 'sell' the feint.
What is the timing for the cross after the feint?: The cross should arrive within 0.2 seconds of the feint to capitalize on the opening created by the opponent's defensive reaction.
What are common mistakes to avoid with this technique?: Common mistakes include feinting too small so the opponent does not react, feinting too large which over-commits and leaves a gap, performing a purposeless feint without following up with a cross, and dropping the lead hand during the feint which opens you to a counter.
Who is known for using the jab-feint-cross combination?: Floyd Mayweather is noted for building fights around the jab-feint-cross combination.
What drills can help practice this technique?: You can practice by mirroring the movement without throwing a punch to focus on the lead shoulder rise. Alternatively, with a partner, have them parry on every jab feint while you fire the cross when their hand moves.