Jeet Kune Do: Encyclopedia II - Jeet Kune Do - Jeet Kune Do Principles

Jeet Kune Do - Jeet Kune Do Principles

The following are principles that Bruce Lee incorporated into Jeet Kune Do. He felt these were universal combat truths that were self evident and would lead to combat success if followed. The "4 Combat Ranges" in particular are what he felt were instrumental in becoming a "total" martial artist. This is also the principle that is most related to Mixed Martial Arts. The "5 Ways of Attack" are attacking categories that help Jeet Kune Do practitioners organize their fighting repertoire.

I. Be like water

JKD students reject traditional systems of training, fighting styles and the Confucian pedagogy used in traditional kung fu schools. JKD is claimed to be a dynamic concept that is forever changing. "Absorb what is useful; Disregard that which is useless" is an often quoted Bruce Lee maxim.

JKD students are encouraged to study every form of combat possible.

II. 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.

A. 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 can be a feature of some traditional Chinese martial arts.

B. 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.

C. No high kicks

JKD practitioners believe they should restrict their kicks to their opponent's shins, knees, thighs, and mid section. These targets are the closest to the foot and provide more stability.

III. Learn the 4 ranges of combat

• Kicking
• Punching
• Trapping
• Grappling

Jeet Kune Do students train in each of these ranges equally. It is this quality that differentiates JKD from various other Martial Arts as most other systems specialize in one or two ranges.

IV. Five Ways Of Attack

A. Single Angular Attack and its converse Single Direct Attack.

B. Hand Immobilization Attack and its counterpart Foot Immobilization attack, which make use of “trapping” to limit the opponent to function with that appendage.

C. Progressive Indirect Attack. Attacking one part of the opponent's body followed by attacking another part as a means of creating an opening.

D. Attack By Combinations. This is using multiple rapid attacks as a means of using volume of attack to overcoming the opponent.

E. Attack By Drawing. This is creating an opening with positioning as a means of counter attacking.

V. Three Parts of JKD

Jeet Kune Do practitioners believe that techniques should contain the following properties:

• Efficiency - An attack that reaches its mark
• Directness - Doing what comes naturally in a learned way.
• Simplicity - The ability of thinking in uncomplicated manners; without ornamentation.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Jeet Kune Do Principles", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki