JKD Fighting Elements
Jeet Kune Do is a vehicle to self discovery. Bruce Lee once said that " JKD can't be owned, can't be organized, can't be taught and can't be sold. JKD is a PROCESS, not a product". When it comes to streetfighting we are simply looking for the truth. My truth may not be your truth and vice versa. The simple philosophy of JKD is to " Use what is useful, and Discard the rest". Jeet Kune Do is about moving from one range to another, from using elements of all styles, especially the styles that specialize in certain ranges. Adaptability is the key concept in Jeet Kune Do. You have to be able to adapt. That is the meaning of " Using no way as the way, and having no limitation as limitation." Any fighting elements used in the process are just stepping stones. There is no end product, only continual progress, change, and adapting. Certain fighting elements may be more conducive to power, others to speed and still others to sensitivity. Let's take a look at a few of the more then 26 fighting styles that are incorporated into Jeet Kune Do.
- Western Boxing- A style that utilizes basically 4 punches. The jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. What makes this art so devastating is the different combinations that are utilized. Boxing also teaches endurance, footwork and how to absorb punishment.
- Filipino Kali- Time Tested, combat proven and very dangerous is the best way to describe Kali. Destruction's, defanging the snake, angulation, high and low line working together are just a few of the concepts that kali contributes to the whole style. The training methods of eskrima, sinawali, panantuken, panajakman, and dumog (to name a few) are extremely combative in nature. The knife fighting is incomparable as a training method for developing empty hand attributes. It just plain makes you a better fighter and coordinates your weak and strong side faster then any other method. When you can deal with the speed and stealth of a blade winging at you at different angles, then a person throwing punches at you should be a cakewalk.
- Wing Chun-Wing Chun training focuses on developing the proper body structure and posture so that the most powerful techniques may be delivered using the smallest amount of effort. The student learns to develop "soft power" which maximizes the delivery of power with the muscles relaxed. The upper body, remains relaxed at all times. All fighting is done in extremely close range using very soft but effective and strong techniques. Economy of techniques is stressed, so that there are no fancy, circular moves like those that exist in other systems. Because of its nature of using relaxed power rather than brute strength, Wing Chun is considered to be an ideal system for women and small-sized people.
- Savate- From France incorporates fast and powerful kicks combined with English boxing, making it a rare European martial art and a unique western style of kickboxing. Savate emphasizes technical ability and control, rather than force. It has a rich history while being a superlative modern fighting sport.
- Western Fencing- The main component that Bruce Lee based his Jeet Kune Do on. Interception of the Attack. He also utilized Footwork such as the Step and Slide for mobility, emphasis on timing, rhythm & cadence, and developed his 5 ways of attack which came directly from fencing such as Single Direct Attack - (Single Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Combination - (Compound Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Drawing - (Invitation / False Attack / Second Intention in fencing terminology) Progressive Indirect Attack - (Indirect Attack / Feint Indirect in fencing terminology) and Hand Immobilization Attack - (Attacks on the blade in fencing terminology)
- Jujitsu- Jujitsu encompasses throws, locks, and striking techniques, with a strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. It is also characterized by in-fighting and close work. It is a circular, hard/soft, external style.
- Muay Thai- A offensive martial art from Thailand nicknamed " The science of 8 limbs" because of its powerful, extensive use of the hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The basic offensive techniques in Muay Thai use fists, elbows, shins, feet, and knees to strike the opponent. To bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are also used.
- Silat- Used more extensively in modern day JKD, Silat which comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines has a wide variety of techniques utilizing kicking, hitting, tripping, sweeps, locks, takedowns, throws, strangles, and joint breaking. It's use of the bladed weapons can be closely compared with that of Filipino Kali.
These are the main Components that make up 80% of Jeet Kune Do. The other fighting styles that make up the other 20% are Praying Mantis, Choy Li Fut, Tai Chi Chaun, Paqua, Hsing-I, Bak-Hoo Pai, Bak-Fu Pai, Eagle Claw, Ng Ga Kuen, Bak Mei Pai, Northern Shaolin, Southern Shaolin, Bok Pai, Law Horn Kuen, Chin Na, Monkey Style, Druken Style, and Western Wrestling.