JEET KUNE DO OVERVIEW

Development of Jeet Kune Do

Jeet Kune Do (JKD), literally "Way of the Intercepting Fist," is the late Bruce Lee’s "system" of martial arts, based on what he determined was useful from disciplines such as wing chun gung fu, Western boxing, and fencing. JKD is not a style, and uses any techniques or means which serve its end.

He was an avid student, continually refining his philosophies and techniques. No wonder his personal library contained more than 2,500 books.

Philosophy

He wanted to free people from the bondage to styles, patterns, and doctrines that asserted, "this is the only way." Tradition is stripped away. There are no forms or kata, as memorization of a sequence of techniques is not combat effective. He also thought traditional schools lacked strategic flexibility due to rote teaching methods.

JKD reflects the individual. As such, one should develop a “discerning mind,” going through their own problem-solving process. Lee believed that in order for a person to progress in his martial art, he needed to take the existing principles common to all systems, add his own experience, and then try to improve upon them.

In a real fight, do whatever is necessary to defend oneself, irrespective of where the techniques come from. For example, after he was pinned by a more skillful wrestler, who asked what he would have done in a real fight, he said “Well, I’d bite you, of course.”

Today JKD includes elements of other fighting arts, such as Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, and stick fighting. In a sense, JKD was the precursor of hybrid systems, such as mixed martial arts and reality-based self-defense.

Principles

JKD emphasizes economy of motion, such as stop hits and stop kicks, simultaneous parrying and punching, and no high kicks.

Learning equally the 4 ranges of combat – kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling. Most martial arts systems focus on only one or two ranges.

Five ways of attack include:

• Single Direct Attack (SDA)/ Single Angulated Attack (SAA)
• Attack by Combination (ABC)
• Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA)
• Attack by Drawing (ABD)
• Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA)

Techniques

Techniques should be efficient, direct, and simple.

Characteristics and influences include:

• Trapping and short range punches from wing chun kung fu.
• Kicks of northern Chinese martial arts styles
• Techniques from Western boxing
• Footwork from fencing
• Power hand in the lead, or forward position, vs. the more conventional power hand in back.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Jeet Kune Do books. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Jeet Kune Do DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools. Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
• Training Live Jeet Kune Do training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide Jeet Kune Do information.
• More Articles Read more Jeet Kune Do articles from our library.