This group was organized to promote the martial art of Jeet Kune Do as conceived and taught by Bruce Lee. We recognize that Jeet Kune Do consists of two components; one a technical, scientific, concrete component (Foundational Structure) and two; A General philosophic component. The first component is;
1) A Foundational Structure:
This foundational structure is primarily built upon the combative arts of Fencing and western Boxing. The center line principle and some streamlined hand immobilization techniques from Wing Chun Gung Fu are also part of this foundation. This foundation includes a specific stance, specific footwork, specific tools performed, trained and refined in a scientific way, a specific Five Methods of attack, and a specific scientific philosophy which calls for: 1) economy of motion 2) scientific principles of body mechanics 3) the goal of Intercepting an opponent as the primary and most efficient means to ending an attack once initiated by an opponent.
Additionally, live drills and sparring MUST be a part of the training program, otherwise, practitioners are practicing ‘Dry land swimming,’ which only serves to inflate their egos while doing nothing to realistically prepare themselves for fighting. We submit with the authority of lineage, historical facts, and scientific principles that Jeet Kune Do cannot exist without the essential foundational structure and the specific scientific philosophy. The second component is;
2) A General Philosophy:
This general philosophy states in part that; the practitioner is ultimately more important than any system or structure owing to the fact that we are all individuals, with varying physical shapes, abilities and temperaments. Knowing this, the foundational structure is not a mandate, rather, doing what is the most efficient natural response at the moment action is required is the ideal. This does not mean that we permanently disregard the foundational structure and philosophy for an inferior, less scientific, less direct, or less natural response, (JKD is scientific fighting). Then the practitioner would be leaving the confines of JKD and scientific methodology and would be partaking in the unscientific “tool / art of the month” club which many people mistakenly believe JKD to be. Many people embrace the ‘individuality’ philosophy of JKD and totally neglect the maybe more important scientific base on which JKD rests. These two principles ideally exist together, but neither one can be neglected.
Expressing oneself as an individual and as a JKD practitioner means the most efficient response for a particular moment. Not any old technique or tool will do! (If you practice efficient tools your responses will be efficient, and the opposite is also true, inefficient training breeds inefficient responses)! We have found that in most situations JKD tools are the most efficient. We base this belief on scientific principles of body movement and observation, not blind belief in dogma.
Additionally, the most efficient response for the moment might turn out to be something normally very awkward or less efficient. However, the needs of the moment outweigh normalcy in regards to responses. We understand that responses of this type are not foundational, but are functional, and serve the greater scientific principle of directness and efficiency (closest tool to nearest target). Once executed, a practitioner most likely will be able to resume combat out of the foundational (most scientifically efficient) structure.
Additionally, practitioners are encouraged to add tools that are “specifically their own,” that is, what fits their unique body, attitude, etc. the best. Adding is only done however, if these tools can be added without permanently altering the basic JKD foundation and philosophy. Practitioners are ultimately encouraged to research through observation and experimentation to become a martial artist who has discovered what tools, methods of attack, etc., fit him the best, thereby elevating the individual above any so called martial art.
It is our contention however, that to be called Jeet Kune Do, (The way of the Intercepting Fist) a person’s expression of martial art though expressed in a unique manner, must maintain the JKD foundational structure and specific philosophy. Otherwise, why call it JKD? For JKD is an intercepting art, and the fencing / boxing foundation allows intercepting to happen with greater frequency (owing to scientific principles) than any other structural foundation. So, if you’ve left the intercepting structure and philosophy behind, be honest, and don’t call it JKD!
JKD Attributes
- Primarily based on a Fencing / Western boxing structure. Centerline principle and streamlined hand immobilization added from Wing Chun.
- Specific footwork, (a fencing / boxing hybrid,) and tools (Taught by Bruce and fit the structure).
- Emphasis on intercepting.
- Scientific, streamlined, efficient and direct, (closest tool to nearest target).
- Strong side forward.
- Primary use of lead hand and lead leg.
- Five methods of attack.
- Primarily a street art. (Although can very easily be applied in the ring).
- “Add specifically what is your own,” (without permanently changing the foundational structure).
- “Express yourself!” (Do what is most efficient for you at each moment).
- Able to fight / Combat, in three general ranges. (Calling these ranges, kicking, punching and grappling is not accurate because you can punch kick or grapple in more than one range)!
- You MUST be “In the Water!” (Live drills and sparring).
