Principles Jeet Kune Do

1 principles

1.1 stance
1.2 footwork
1.3 straight lead
1.4 non-telegraphed punch
1.5 water
1.6 economy of motion

1.6.1 stop hits
1.6.2 simultaneous parrying , punching
1.6.3 low kicks


1.7 4 ranges of combat
1.8 5 ways of attack
1.9 centerline

principles

the following principles lee incorporated jeet kune do. lee felt these universal combat truths self-evident, , lead combat success if followed. familiarity each of 4 ranges of combat , in particular, thought instrumental in becoming total martial artist. jkd teaches best defense strong offense, hence principle of intercepting fist . attack hand-to-hand, attacker must approach target. provides opportunity attacked person intercept attacking movement. principle of interception may applied more intercepting physical attacks; non-verbal cues (subtle movements opponent may unaware of) may perceived or intercepted , , used 1 s advantage. 5 ways of attack , categories jkd practitioners organize fighting repertoire, comprise offensive teachings of jkd. concepts of stop hits & stop kicks , , simultaneous parrying & punching , based on concept of single fluid motions attack while defending (in systems such Épée fencing , wing chun), compose defensive teachings of jkd. these concepts modified unarmed combat , implemented jkd framework lee complement principle of interception.

stance

seen in many of movie fight scenes such in way of dragon vs chuck norris, bruce lee fought in side southpaw horse stance. jabs , crosses came right hand , followed lot of side kicks. instead of common check seen in muay thai, bruce uses oblique leg kick block potential kick. bruce lee adopted other defensive concepts found in many other systems such slipping , rolling western boxing , forearm blocks found in eastern martial arts such kung fu.

footwork

bruce lee s nimble , agile skipping-like footwork seen in movies. technique adopted muhammad ali s footwork in boxing stance. quick , agile footwork can achieved practice using jump rope jumping rope imitates nimble, jumpy action quick way manoeuvre way around , away enemy s strikes.

straight lead

lee felt straight lead integral part of jeet kune punching, stated, leading straight punch backbone of punching in jeet kune do. straight lead not power strike strike formulated speed. straight lead should held loosely slight motion, adds speed , makes more difficult see , block. strike not fastest punch in jkd, accurate. speed attributed fact fist held out making closer target , accuracy gained punch being thrown straight forward 1 s centerline. straight lead should held , thrown loosely , easily, tightening upon impact, adding 1 s punch. straight lead punch can thrown multiple angles , levels.

non-telegraphed punch

lee felt explosive attacks no telegraphing signs of intention best. argued attacks should catch opponent off-guard, throwing them off balance , leaving them unable defend against further attacks. concept behind when initiate punch without forewarning, such tensing shoulders or moving foot or body, opponent not have enough time react, lee wrote. key 1 must keep 1 s body , arms loose, weaving 1 s arms , becoming tense upon impact. lee wanted no wind-up movements or ready poses prelude jkd attacks. lee explained twitches or slight movements before striking should avoided give opponent signs or hints being planned , able strike first while 1 preparing attack. consequently, non-telegraphed movement essential part of jeet kune philosophy.

water

lee emphasized every situation, in fighting or in everyday life, varied. obtain victory, therefore, essential not rigid, fluid , able adapt situation. compared being water: empty mind, formless, shapeless, water. if put water cup, becomes cup. put water bottle , becomes bottle. put in teapot becomes teapot. water can flow, or can crash. water, friend. lee s theory behind 1 must able function in scenario 1 thrown , should react accordingly. 1 should know when speed or slow down, when expand , when contract, , when remain flowing , when crash. awareness both life , fighting can shapeless , ever changing allows 1 able adapt changes instantaneously , bring forth appropriate solution. lee did not believe in styles , felt every person , every situation different , not fits mold; 1 must remain flexible in order obtain new knowledge , victory in both life , combat. 1 must never become stagnant in mind or method, evolving , moving towards improving oneself.

economy of motion

jeet kune seeks waste no time or movement, teaching simplest things work best, in wing chun. economy of motion principle jkd practitioners achieve:

efficiency: attack reaches target in least amount of time, maximum force.
directness: doing comes naturally in disciplined way.
simplicity: thinking in uncomplicated manner; without ornamentation.

this meant practitioner conserve both energy , time, 2 crucial components in physical confrontation. maximized force seeks end battle due amount of damage inflicted upon opponent. rapidity aims reach target before opponent can react, half-beat faster timing, taught in wing chun , western boxing. learned techniques utilized in jkd apply these principles variety of situations.

stop hits

when distance wide, attacking opponent requires sort of preparation. therefore, attack him on preparation of attack. reach me, must move me. attack offers me opportunity intercept you. means intercepting opponent s attack attack of 1 s own instead of blocking it. concept jeet kune named. jkd practitioners believe difficult defensive skill develop. strategy feature of traditional chinese martial arts wing chun, essential component of european Épée fencing. stop hits , kicks utilize principle of economy of motion combining attack , defense 1 movement, minimizing time element.

simultaneous parrying , punching

when confronting incoming attack, attack parried or deflected, , counterattack delivered @ same time. not advanced stop hit more effective blocking , counterattacking in sequence. practiced chinese martial arts such wing chun, , known in krav maga bursting . simultaneous parrying & punching utilizes principle of economy of motion combining attack , defense 1 movement, minimizing time element , maximising energy element. efficiency gained utilizing parry rather block. definition block stops attack, whereas parry merely re-directs it. redirection has 2 advantages, first requires less energy execute , second utilizes opponent s energy against them creating imbalance. efficiency gained in opponent has less time react incoming attack, since still nullifying original attack.

low kicks

jkd practitioners believe should direct kicks opponent s shins, knees, thighs, , midsection, in wing chun. these targets closest foot, provide more stability , more difficult defend against. maintaining low kicks utilizes principle of economy of motion reducing distance kick must travel, minimizing time element. however, other jkd principles nothing written in stone . if target of opportunity presents itself, target above waist, 1 take advantage , not hampered principle.

four ranges of combat

kicking
punching
trapping
grappling

jeet kune students train in each of aforementioned ranges equally. according lee, range of training serves differentiate jkd other martial arts. lee stated not traditional martial arts systems specialize in training @ 1 or 2 ranges. lee s theories have been influential , substantiated in field of mixed martial arts, mma phases of combat same concept jkd combat ranges. historic note, ranges in jkd have evolved on time. ranges categorized short or close, medium, , long range. these terms proved ambiguous , evolved more descriptive forms, although may still prefer original 3 categories.

five ways of attack

the original 5 ways of attack are:

centerline

the wing chun centerline.



punching wing chun centerline.



the centerline can expressed height of triangle.



an animation of mechanical linkage shoulders of triangle illustrates importance of guarding centerline.

the centerline imaginary line drawn vertically along center of standing human body, , refers space directly in front of body. if 1 draws isosceles triangle on floor, 1 s body forms base, , 1 s arms form equal legs of triangle, h (the height of triangle) centerline. wing chun concept exploit, control , dominate opponent s centerline. attacks, defenses, , footwork designed guard 1 s own centerline while entering opponent s centerline space. lee incorporated theory jkd sifu yip man s wing chun.

the 3 guidelines centerline are:

the 1 controls centerline control fight.
protect , maintain own centerline while control , exploit opponent s.
control centerline occupying it.

this notion closely related maintaining control of center squares in strategic game chess. concept naturally present in xiangqi (chinese chess), x drawn on game board, in front of both players general , advisors.