The ABC of JKD

A Brief History

Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is the name Bruce Lee gave to his combat philosophy in 1967. Originally, when Lee began researching various fighting styles, he gave his martial art his own name of Jun Fan Gung Fu. However not wanting to create another style that would share the limitations that all styles have, he instead gave us the process that created it.

Bruce Lee, and thus JKD was heavily influenced by European boxing and fencing. Although the backbone concepts (such as centreline, vertical punching, and forward pressure) come from Wing Chun, Lee stopped using the Wing Chun stances in favour of what he considered to be more fluid/flexible fencing and boxing stances

Lee believed that martial systems should be as flexible as possible. He often used water as an analogy for describing why flexibility is a desired trait in martial arts. Water is infinitely flexible. It can be seen through, and yet at other times it can obscure things from sight. It can split and go around things, rejoining on the other side, or it can crash through things. It can erode the hardest rocks by gently lapping away at them or it can flow past the tiniest pebble. Lee believed that a martial system should have these attributes

Jeet Kune Do not only advocate the combination of aspects of different styles, it also can change many of those aspects that it adopts to suit the abilities of the practitioner. Additionally, JKD advocates that any practitioner be allowed to interpret techniques for themselves, and change them for their own purposes. For example, Lee almost always chose to put his power hand in the "lead," with his weaker hand back, within this stance he used elements of Boxing, Fencing and Wing Chun. Just like fencing, he labelled this position the "On Guard" position.

The notion of cross-training in Jeet Kune Do is similar to the practice of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in modern times. A JKD student is expected to learn various combat systems within each combat range, and thus to be effective in all of them, just as in MMA.

Lee incorporated into Jeet Kune Do what he felt were universal combat truths that were self evident and would lead a person to becoming a "total" martial artist and great combat success if followed. Some of the concepts were borrowed from European Fencing, and Wing Chun. These concepts were modified for unarmed combat and implemented into the JKD framework by Lee. The most widely known are as follows:-

Intercepting.
Lee believed that in order for an opponent to attack someone they had to move towards them. This provided an opportunity to "intercept" that attack or movement. The principle of interception covers more than just intercepting physical attacks. Lee believed that many non-verbals and telegraphs (subtle movements that an opponent is unaware of) could be perceived or "intercepted" and thus be used to one's advantage.

Economy of motion
JKD students are told to waste no time or movement. When it comes to combat JKD practitioners believe the simplest things work best also that techniques should contain the following properties:

Efficiency - An attack that reaches its mark
Directness - Doing what comes naturally in a learned way.
Simplicity - Thinking in an uncomplicated manner.

Stop hits & stop kicks
This means intercepting an opponent's attack with an attack of your own instead of a simple block. JKD practitioners believe that this is the most difficult defensive skill to develop. This strategy is a feature of some traditional Chinese martial arts, as well as an essential component of European epée fencing (known in fencing terminology as the "counter-attack").

Simultaneous parrying & punching
When confronting an incoming attack, the attack is parried or deflected and a counter attack is delivered at the same time. Not as advanced as a stop hit but more effective than blocking and counter attacking in sequence. This is also practiced by some Chinese martial arts.

No high kicks
JKD practitioners believe they should target their kicks to their opponent's shins, knees, thighs, and mid section. These targets are the closest to the foot, provide more stability and are more difficult to defend against. However, as with all other JKD principles nothing is "written in stone". If a target of opportunity presents itself, even a target above the waist, one could take advantage of the situation without feeling hampered by this principle.

The 4 ranges of combat
Kicking
Punching
Trapping
Grappling

Jeet Kune Do students train in each of these ranges equally. According to Lee, this range of training serves to differentiate JKD from other martial arts. Lee stated that most but not all traditional martial systems specialize in training at one or two ranges.

The Five Ways Of Attack

The "5 Ways of Attack" are attacking categories that help Jeet Kune Do practitioners organize their fighting repertoire and comprise the offensive portion of JKD. They are:-

Single Direct Attack (SDA) or Single Angulated Attack (SAA) is a single offensive action (say a punch or kick) that travels directly from where it is to the desired target which is usually executed when a particular target area has been unintentionally left open by the opponent.

Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA) which also includes foot trapping which make use of trapping to limit the opponent's function with that appendage.

Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA) here you attack one part of the opponent's body and draw some form of defensive reaction from your opponent. You then use an initial feint or false attack to draw the same defensive reaction from your opponent and attack the open line. e.g your false attack was on the high line so you hit on the low line.

Attack By Combinations (ABC). This is using multiple rapid attacks, with volume of attack as a means of overcoming the opponent.

Attack By Drawing (ABD). This is to intentionally leave a particular target area open as a means of counter attacking.

Centreline
The centreline refers to an imaginary line running down the centre of one's body. The theory is to exploit, control and dominate your opponent's centreline. All attacks, defences and footwork are designed to preserve your own centreline and open your opponent's. Lee incorporated this theory into JKD from Wing Chun. This notion is closely related to maintaining control of the centre squares in the strategic game chess.

The three guidelines for centreline are:

The one who controls the centreline will control the fight.
Protect and maintain your own centreline while you control and exploit your opponent's.
Control the centreline by occupying it.

Process and not a Product

The uniqueness of JKD to Lee is that it is a "process" not a "product" and thus not a "style" but a system, concept, or approach. Traditional martial arts styles are essentially a product that is given to a student with little provision for change. These traditional styles are usually fixed and not tailored for individuals. Bruce Lee claimed there were inherent problems with this approach and established a "Process" based system rather than a fixed style which a student could then utilize to make a "tailored" or "Personal" product of their own.

Bruce Lee's comments and methods were seen as controversial by many in his time, and still are today. Many teachers from traditional schools disagreed with his opinions on these issues. However we have seen in UFC that knowledge of other systems and cross training is essential e.g grappling.

As Always when training , train intelligently, train sensibly , respect the Art respect yourself and have fun.

Quotes used by Sifu Bruce
“ The usefulness of a cup is its emptiness.[8] - Be prepared to accept new knowledge and not be hindered or biased by old knowledge. This quote originates from the Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism. [9] ”

“ Using no way as way. - Don't have preconceived notions about anything. This statement is embedded in the Jeet Kune Do logo. It was also used by Bruce Lee often to describe JKD. ”

“ Having no limitation as limitation. - Don't be confined by anything, achieve true freedom. This statement is embedded in the Jeet Kune Do logo. ”

“ Empty your mind. Be formless shapeless like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can either flow, or it can crash! Be like water, my friend. - Lee explaining the principle of being like water in a Hong Kong television interview.

Guro Dan Inosanto Seminar 2008

Saturday 5^th July marked Guro Dan’s annual seminar hosted by Bob Breen in London. This year, for the first time, members of the Junior Black Belt programme were invited to take part in the first day of the seminar and to witness first hand why Guro Dan has been such as great inspiration and influence on martial artists worldwide.

At over 70 years of age, Guro Dan showed his usual remarkable cat-like movements and encyclopaedic knowledge, presenting material from numerous martial arts along the way (all at breakneck speeds to challenge the best memories in the building). Material included, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali/Silat, Suntokan/Panantukan, Muay Thai, Shoot Fighting, Vale Tudo, Kali Stick and Knife-fighting (read descriptions of some of these arts at the Inosanto Academy website).

Members of the Junior Black Belt programme got to see first hand why it is that adult members of our Academy and martial artists from across Europe, get excited each year in anticipation of this seminar. They will also now understand why I told them they would be lucky to remember 25% of what was presented. Don’t worry each gets easier each year as you become more familiar with Guro’s style of presentation and the curriculum. Proof indeed that sometimes a notebook and pen are more useful than your gloves and gumshield!

Sensei Alex and I were both pleased to be able to have the opportunity to supervise our future Black Belts at this event. Who knows, in 50-60 years time it could be one of you inspiring the next generation of martial artists at your own seminar.

As Guro Dan has been quoted as saying, “We are all students; it is just that some people are further down the road than others.”

Warrior Training

If anyone on the Junior Black Belt programme thinks that I give them a hard time with all the exercises we do each week, you should check out the Warrior Training that has been going on for the past month in the Saturday adult class.

The classic medicine ball sit-up pass.












Twisting medicine ball passes.









Team medicine ball wall throws.








Bodyweight (someone else's) squats.









Carrying a heavy bag.








Collapse!














So, what's a couple of push-ups and sit-ups in comparison? Might be time to start making Saturday class a little harder... keep training just in case.

Sparring

Boxing isn’t just about brute strength; it’s about skill and outwitting your opponent.
Lennox Lewis

Over the next 6 weeks we will be looking at the concept of sparring. The first 3 weeks we will be concentrating on hands only and then we will cover hands and legs.

The first few weeks we will cover different lines of attack whether they be straight or curved and how to move through the different ranges, with a high probability of not being hit(kicking range, punching range to close range and back again).

We will also cover the exploitation of your natural gifts, whether you, are tall, short, fast, a heavy puncher or have quick reactions. This always amazes me that so many combatants do not use their natural gifts. Therefore they never get to present a problem to their opponent which they have to answer. Remember we are attempting to teach you intelligent combat. In sparring, you should always attempt to ask questions of your opponent and force them to answer. The conversation should be like this:-

Fighter A: “Can you defend my Jab”
Fighter B: “Yes I can”
Fighter A: “Can you defend my double Jab”
Fighter B: “Ouch missed that No”
Fighter A: “I’ll ask again, can you defend my double Jab”
Fighter B: “Yes I can”
Fighter A: “Can you defend my double Jab, Straight Right”
Fighter B “Ouch missed that No”
Fighter A: “Can you defend my double Jab, Cross”
Fighter B “Ouch missed that No”
Fighter A: “Can you defend my low round kick”
Fighter B “Yes I can and I can crush it too”
Fighter A: “Ouch…Can you defend my fake low round house ,head kick”
Fighter B: “Here is my crush to your low round house and ..Ouch missed the head kick”

Now don’t get fixated by the above, use the strikes and combinations in sparring that fit your body type, skill, which feel natural to you. JKD is about honestly expressing yourself, if a particular combination doesn’t work for you in sparring don’t use it. My suggestion is to write it down in your notes as in your martial arts journey you may come across the technique again and because of your personal growth it now feels natural to you and becomes part of your major arsenal.

Furthermore we’ll be covering how to move around your opponent with a high probability of not being hit. We’ll be using the following drill as a basis and then in true JKD fashion we’ll break from it as Sifu Bruce says “Learn the principle, abide by the principle, and dissolve the principle”

Jab, Cross, Body Hook, Head Hook (In left lead stance)

Jab, Cross

Attacker
Options (technical advancement)
1. Jab, Cross – on centre line punching (Straight left , Straight right)
2. Jab, Cross – off centre line punching (Wide Jab, Cross)
3. Mix and Match – all the above including the Speed Jab , the Stiff Jab and the flicker Jab
Defender
Options (technical advancement)
1. Jab catch using rear hand (right hand)
2. Combinations of Jab catch rear hand and inside parries when necessary
3. Using any combination- Outside parry, inside Parry , Jab Catch , Waslik ,Heun Sau etc

Body Hook

Attacker
Using the Step & Slide footwork the attacker must be outside the Defenders right hand/arm and not in front. The Defender should also use their right arm as cover from the defenders possible punches.
Options (technical advancement)
1. Body hook to Liver
2. Body hook to Kidneys
3. Shovel hook to Liver or Solar Plexus
Defender
Firstly if Attacker is directly in front of your right hand (not outside it) give them a gentle cross punch to remind them of the consequences of poor footwook.
Options (technical advancement)
1. In response to Liver shot: With fist still on Chin defensively drop elbow onto punch
2. In response to Kidney shot: Tilt elbow backwards onto punch
3. In response to Shovel hook: With fist still on Chin defensively drop elbow onto punch
4. Suck in stomach (evasion)

Head Hook

Attacker
Options (technical advancement)
1. Lengthen or Curve hook to avoid defenders covering arm
2. Shorten hook to avoid defenders covering arm and hit chin
Defender
Options (technical advancement)
1. Cover
2. Cover using Jamming technique on the Attackers Cross
3. Bob & Weave
4. Bob & Weave with groin slap or Jab to the Solar plexus
5. Snap Back (evasion)

As always when training, train intelligently, train sensibly, respect the Art, respect yourself and have fun.

Trapping

Sifu Bruce Lee refered to “Trapping” as Hand Immobilisation Attack (HIA), however the Immobilisation of your opponent is not restricted to the hand, it can also apply to the foot or any other part of the body.

HIA originally comes from a system called Wing Chun which is the original style of gung fu that Sifu Bruce studied. Now while the trapping used in Jeet June Do (JKD) may have come from Wing Chun it was adapted by Sifu Bruce through extensive research of body mechanics and motion.

HIA is an attack which momentarily immobilises (traps) one or both of the opponents arms, allowing you to hit in an open line, or draw a reaction that can be countered with another trap. This now gives you the opportunity to utilise ballistic striking or grappling.

HIA is best employed when you gain an attachment against one or both of your opponent’s arms. This then allows you to manipulate your opponent’s arms to where you want them and to create a situation whereby the opponent is forced to give you a reaction, which will be to their disadvantage. The opponent may not want to give you the reaction, but they may not have any other choice. If they don’t give you the reaction they will get hit.

What makes HIA work is correct distancing, sensitivity and a certain degree of forward pressure, not too much and not too little. This takes dedication and practice to master and even when you’ve attained a certain degree of skill you must train it regularly to maintain what is termed “muscle memory” and sensitivity.

In trapping forward pressure can rarely be seen only felt. Therefore it’s best described like a bird flying in the sky, too much energy and it flies too high; too little and it flies too low. Once the trap has been initiated the opponent’s attached limbs will feel like tension against their arms at all times which will affect their movement and restrict their actions. Guro Dan Inosanto said when Sifu Bruce trapped him it was “…like being in a washing machine on full agitation cycle…constantly being pushed, pulled, or jerked all over the place while at the same time being hit with a constant barrage of punches…”

Now it is important to reflect that your primary purpose is not to trap it is to hit. If you have an open line to hit safely, then hit. If your opponent blocks the open line then you may wish to utilise your trapping skills. Remember if the punch is not blocked then you’ve scored a hit. If the hit is blocked then your opponent will dictate the technique you will use e.g Pak sao , Lop Sao, push or pull.

The current JBB curriculum is as follows:-

Pak Sao (Slap Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist, punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks on the centre line.

Double Pak Sao (Slap Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks on the centre line.
3. Using rear hand which is currently holding the defenders lead arm. Thrust your lower forearm onto the defenders lead arm to pin it against their chest.
4. Rear hand grabs and pushes the defenders rear hand away from the centre line.
5. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.

Pak Sao, Lap Sao (Slap Hand, Grab Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist, punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks over centre line.
3. Attacker’s rear hand grabs defenders rear hand in a tight arc towards defenders hip which should trap the lead hand underneath.
4. Attacker’s lead hand folds due to the defenders push (Boang Sao) and then strikes as a backfist (the classical or Art option is option (A) however do not limit yourself try them all).
Backfist options:-
A. Backfist vertical using two front knuckles (Gwa Choi)
B. Backfist horizontal ridge of the hand. (hammer fist)
C. Backfist vertical ridge of the hand. (hammer fist)

As always when training, train intelligently, train sensibly, respect the Art, respect yourself and have fun.