USING DISTANCE IN JEET KUNE DO

To be a complete fighter, you have to be proficient in fighting in the 4 ranges. From farthest to closest to the opponent, they are kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling.

Your position can change from one range to another very quickly in a confrontation. You can slip on a slick surface and suddenly be in grappling range. Or your kick defense is trapped by your assailant and now you're in trapping range.

Advantage in Distance

Being proficient in all ranges means that you can take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses in ranges. A fencing axiom states that "Whoever controls the distance, controls the fight. And whoever controls the fight, will win the fight."

For example, let's consider a confrontation between a boxer and wrestler. The boxer's strength is in the punching range, and the wrestler's is the grappling range. If the boxer can prevent the wrestler from closing the distance and force him to the ground, the boxer will prevail. If the wrestler can close the distance, he will prevail.

"In Distance" vs. "Out of Distance"

Distance will influence what movements, tactics, and weapons you use. You are either "in distance" or "out of distance" in relation to an opponent. "In distance" is when your opponent is within your weapon's reach, and consequently he is also in within reach of you. You must factor in both your reach and well as your opponent's reach. If his arms are longer than yours, then he will be able to reach you but you cannot reach him in the punching range.

Attacking

Closing the distance, or "bridging the gap" is used chiefly for attacking. Aim to bridge the gap quickly, strike, and then retreat to out of distance. Bruce Lee could close on a person 7 to 10 feet away before they could react. To do so effectively, good timing and proper rhythm are critical. Use a feint to distract, move in quickly without telegraphing, and coordinate closing the distance with your strike.

Defending

In using distance for defense, the 2 options are either to open the distance using footwork, or close the distance to smother his attack before it has a chance to develop. An example of the latter is when you see a roundhouse kick about to be launched, move in toward that leg and trap it. The power of the kick comes from the acceleration and momentum as it comes around to the target. Reduce that power by preventing it from reaching it's maximum acceleration.

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