Bruce Lee never wanted JKD to be a style – but 50 years ago the term “style” was something very closed and had a negative connotation. Today, the styles are much more open than before and usually adapt a lot of things from other arts. Bruce Lee never wanted JKD to be a closed system, but he had a JKD structure, a JKD base, and certain JKD techniques.
We’ve added some techniques that fit the JKD structure, but we don’t call that “Jeet Kune Do.” We use JKD as a base or a foundation – everything else has to fit onto that foundation. There are some good things that we use from other martial arts like Thai boxing, jiu-jitsu, or shoot wrestling – but we don’t call them JKD – we call them Thai boxing, jiu-jitsu or shoot wrestling. I think it is important to give credit where credit is due. I think we added some very good things that I’m sure Bruce would have liked. JKD didn’t end with Bruce Lee in Los Angeles, but JKD is not adding other disciplines to the art either. The key is having an understanding of how to stick to the principles.
You see, if you don’t really understand JKD principles and techniques, you can’t add according to what is JKD. Adding for the sake of adding is not a JKD attitude because you may be adding because you lack deep understanding of a JKD technique. For instance, according to Bruce’s writings, “JKD has a tight structure in defense in attack.” So why are some people adding to the JKD core entry techniques with the groin wide open? You don’t add something that goes against the basic principles of the art. you need the roots, period.
Without roots, people get confused and end up without a structure to grow from. No criteria and no guidelines equals no learning. You can’t learn everything at the same time. You need a strong core of something to develop from. It’s like having a bunch of branches with no trunk. You need the roots and you need the trunk – that’s what Jeet Kune Do is for us. But it is true that JKD is a very individual thing and everybody is a bit different. There is a level in JKD where you can’t teach the student any more. This is because JKD’s highest level is about personal expression in combat. How are you going to teach somebody to express themselves? You can help them, but their personal expression will come from them, not from you.
Ultimately, one needs the core understanding of how the JKD philosophy works and how it affects the physical art. I really believe that JKD provides a way for everybody to create their own path – and not to just follow another’s.
