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WHAT IS JEET KUNE DO? Bruce Lee (Lee Hsiao Lung) is the father of Jeet Kune Do, translated as The Way Of The Intercepting Fist. To Bruce Lee, JKD was less of a martial art system and more of a life philosophy that he had been developing from very early on. Not initially wanting to label this philosophy with a name, but over time people saw Jeet Kune Do as a martial arts system and so then the appeal to have a name for the art became more substantial for identity. Bruce Lee had a reputed library of books on all manners of combat, fitness and philosophy. He constantly researched new ways, idea's and philosophy to further his drive to achieve his life goals. He trained with many experienced martial artists, and as he learned and researched new techniques, he would often train them to exhaustion to discover their strengths and weaknessess and applied what worked for him as an individual, and discarded what didn't. He discovered that set ways of attack and forms, had weakness, and limited the ability to adapt as situations changed. On a basic level, a martial artist trained in a kicking art would have problems in grappling quarters and ground work, and would not have the tools to cope. The same way a boxer would have problems facing a Muay Thai fighter, with powerful leg techniques. The basic tenet is that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. And in comparison, there will be a simplest solution to any problem. JKD is to empty your mind of all preconceptions, anticipations and worries and to attack the problem clinically. In a real fight you must not worry about the conclusion, worrying would just be a distraction. This applies equally to any challenge in life. Having an understanding of many fields of knowledge, gives you the greatest potential to find that shortest distance. You must be willing to attack any problem with the means necessary for the job. Half hearted measures lead to failure. JKD is formless, and not any one style. It derives from all styles and blends them together appreciating all but that which doesn't work. What works for one practitioner will differ from person to person. Also to consider, when age takes its toll a kicking would become less effective, but put a walking stick in a JKD man or woman's hand, and with their training and knowledge of the Filipino martial arts, they then become very effective. So how do you learn something formless? A style that has no style? Or to become like water and flow around a problem? First, train in a number of styles, (to be bound in order to appreciate freedom). It is a zen-like truth that once you can utilize your tools and experience with an empty mind and react on instinct, only then will you be able to understand and appreciate the true essence of JKD. To structure this learning, in order to be effective in all situations, a JKD practitioner should be able to employ skills at the following ranges:
It is quite obvious that JKD will incorporate many styles. It is a vast art that takes years to learn and develop, but ultimately highly effective and rewarding. Hopefully, you will never need to use it to defend yourself, but having the knowledge and keeping your tools fresh will stand you in good stead and improve your confidence to deal with any situations that may arise. The outlook on life that it engenders is so positive that it is worth studying for that benefit alone. The Jeet Kune Do training we do here at our club cover all four ranges of empty hand combat - kicking - punching - trapping and grappling range. We also include some weapon training with knife and any item that could be considered a useful weapon in everyday life. Many of the Jeet Kune Do techniques are learnt and trained with a partner using an array of pads, items of protective equipment, or simply body to body for conditioning. The trapping and grappling techniques are trained through drills and excersises but also incorporated into realistic combinations and routines worked through with a partner or group. Then there is also sparring which can range from light contact to full contact with armour. All classes are suitable for both male and female students, from complete beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.
In association with KICKFIT INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY NOTTINGHAM www.kick-fit.co.uk Copyright © 2011 Darren Blakey - Jeet Kune Do Peterborough |
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