JKD has its own identity and follows a design with a purpose. It is a system. A JKD man's movement is definitely different and distinguishable from other martial arts such as Thai kickboxing, wing chun, or karate. The physical structure of JKD fits together in a certain way which defines its identity as JKD. If we add too much to this design, it could become a burden, the different parts not really working with each other. That's why the idea of simply putting together the "best of the martial arts" is not what JKD is about. We cannot take the best parts of certain cars and put them together hoping they will work well, because they are not designed to fit together. Putting together separate techniques from different arts so they flow, is in reality difficult because the structures of these arts are so different from each other. Flowing in a flight results from having a system that has become internalized and organic. One does not have to change structures or theories or even think about techniques - one just fights.
Bruce Lee used boxing, wing chun, and fencing as the main seminal elements of JKD. When we see JKD in action, we don't see any sign of fencing techniques! One the various theories of fencing are applied such as broken rhythm and the five ways of attack. In JKD we see a dynamic version of trapping hands that sort of resembles wing chun - but not the postures, stances, footwork, or body movement. The structure of wing chun is not there. The footwork and evasive body movement resembles that of a boxer but the stance is wider for kicking. The infighting, at times, is very much like boxing but the tactics of getting in are completely different. The structure of the classical boxer is not there.
Changing the design by absorbing the ideas and techniques from other martial arts into the JKD structure may or may no be OK. If the added techniques and concepts of the other martial arts changes the structure of JKD, then how can JKD fulfill its purpose and design? Is it still JKD? A speedboat, if loaded up with cargo, may be able to carry that cargo successfully--but is it still a speedboat following its original design and purpose, or is it now a cargo boat hauling a large load slowly? Slow and sure is not the purpose of a speedboat. It is not designed to carry a lot of cargo.
If we use this analogy for JKD then we see the obvious parallels. If we stray form the cornerstones of simplicity and directness and pile on too many techniques, theories, and strategies from other martial arts, then we have changed the essential nature of what we are doing into something else. We are no longer following the original design and purpose of JKD, so we can't call it JKD any more.
In the spirit of the philosophy of JKD, can we say we're doing our own thing now--our own JKD? This may be going too far. We need to be careful. If we added the theories and techniques from Kali stick-fighting and French savate into our judo structure, I don't think what we'd have could be called judo anymore. The judo structure would have to change. Would you now say you are doing your own judo? I don't think so. It is the same with JKD. The structure of JKD must be there to call it JKD.
By Jessica Militello
If you are looking for a martial art to enroll your child in, you may be wondering which style is the best for them to learn and have fun while still being appropriate for their age. Every martial art has a list of benefits...
Originally posted on 07/27/2018
Imagine being attacked. How would you protect yourself? Violence should be avoided, however, some circumstances leave one with no choice. Your body is the only weapon that you’ll have with you at all...
By Jessica Militello
There are several criteria that are a good idea to look for when choosing a martial arts school for your kids. Obviously anytime you are investing time and money into something, you want to make sure it’s the right...
By Jessica Militello
With all of the many choices of hobbies and sports to enroll your child in, it can become a little overwhelming to find the best one that both you and your child feel most confident about signing up for. Martial arts is a...
Originally posted on 08/11/2015
Updated: 5/19/2020
Most people have heard of someone who holds a black belt in karate or another martial art. These people are familiar with the skill and accomplishment it represents. However, there...
By Jessica Militello
Martial arts has many benefits including learning self-defense, getting regular physical activity, and learning Bruce Lee’s teachings while training in Jeet Kune Do.
But one benefit that both adults and children gain...
By Jessica Militello
Anxiety can be very uncomfortable and scary for anyone to deal with, but for parents who have children who deal with anxiety, it can feel frustrating to watch your kids struggle with it, especially if you are unsure of how to...
By Jessica Militello
Warning: This article may contain spoilers if you have not completed the first three seasons of the show Cobra Kai.
While fans of Cobra Kai anxiously wait for season 4 after a pretty intense season 3 finale, it’s...
By Jessica Militello
Some of the most brutal and historic moments in the UFC have been from fights finished with knockouts using knees. Fans have a tendency to look at a fighter’s grappling, striking, and kicks, and can tend to overlook...
Originally posted on 03/30/2021
By Jessica Militello
Something that adds even more fun and excitement to watching UFC fights on Saturday night is recognizing some of the tools that fighters use from your own martial arts training. Some...
By Jessica Militello
For every UFC fight, the conversations in the days and weeks leading up to the event and thereafter always returns back to the debate of who has the best skill set to defeat their opponent and what tools really win...
Originally posted on 12/29/2014
When most people think of kickboxing, they imagine some type of combination between American boxing and martial arts kicking.
Surely, that’s what it can look like to an untrained eye, as it takes...
Originally posted on 03/27/2019
By Jessica Militello
In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, one of the four locations of New York Martial Arts Academy, passersby regularly stop and take out their camera phones to capture an image of the massive,...
Originally posted on: 3/21/19
When parents reach out to learn more about kids martial arts, they often have a variety of questions and concerns. Many of them wonder if taking part in martial arts will make their child violent or cause them to...
Original Post: 01/06/2015
MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a popular sport. Few people understand that it typically involves striking, wrestling, and grappling - basically fighting on your feet, getting your opponent to the ground, then...
Many people fall in love with boxing after seeing movies like Rocky and Creed or after hearing stories about greats like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather. On the other hand, some build interest in kickboxing after seeing UFC fights...
Bruce Lee is known worldwide for accomplishing many feats throughout his life. He was a talented actor, a strong personality, an entrepreneur, a film director, and the greatest martial artist of all time.
But he was also frequently recognized...
Updated from 6/26/2017
There are many benefits to enrolling your child in martial arts classes, and many people want to know at what age they should enroll their children. In this article, we will discuss some things that can help...
If you have ever watched mixed martial arts, you’ve no doubt seen someone use their elbow at some point during the bout. These elbow strikes can be some of the most vicious and effective attacks in any fighter’s arsenal.
There...
The art of Jeet Kune Do created by Bruce Lee integrates all facets of combat. Various styles are borrowed from boxing, fencing, and other types of fighting. But one of the things that makes it truly unique is Jeet Kune Do footwork.
If you...
If you want to achieve success as a martial artist, you need to improve your takedown defense as a way to avoid being brought to the ground during a fight. When mixed martial arts (MMA) first started, skilled grapplers won many of the first...
When you use a knee strike or stomp, you get a low-risk, high-reward option for self-defense. With a head kick, the potential high reward is counterbalanced by the real risk of you missing and the attacker staging a takedown.
But even if...
Unless an attacker or mugger threatens you with a gun, most instances where self-defense is necessary will be up close and personal. Learning close combat moves is essential to protecting yourself in these dangerous situations. It can help...
There’s a saying in the martial world that says, “Either you move your head or he’s gonna move it for you.”
Effective head movement is used to avoid oncoming attacks and also to set up strong counter moves. It can...
By Jessica Militello
If you are looking for a martial art to enroll your child in, you may be wondering which style is the best for them to learn and have fun while still being appropriate for their age. Every martial art has a list of benefits...
By Jessica Militello
There are several criteria that are a good idea to look for when choosing a martial arts school for your kids. Obviously anytime you are investing time and money into something, you want to make sure it’s the right...
By Jessica Militello
With all of the many choices of hobbies and sports to enroll your child in, it can become a little overwhelming to find the best one that both you and your child feel most confident about signing up for. Martial arts is a...
By Jessica Militello
Anxiety can be very uncomfortable and scary for anyone to deal with, but for parents who have children who deal with anxiety, it can feel frustrating to watch your kids struggle with it, especially if you are unsure of how to...
By Jessica Militello
Warning: This article may contain spoilers if you have not completed the first three seasons of the show Cobra Kai.
While fans of Cobra Kai anxiously wait for season 4 after a pretty intense season 3 finale, it’s...
By Jessica Militello
Some of the most brutal and historic moments in the UFC have been from fights finished with knockouts using knees. Fans have a tendency to look at a fighter’s grappling, striking, and kicks, and can tend to overlook...
By Jessica Militello
For every UFC fight, the conversations in the days and weeks leading up to the event and thereafter always returns back to the debate of who has the best skill set to defeat their opponent and what tools really win...
If you have ever watched mixed martial arts, you’ve no doubt seen someone use their elbow at some point during the bout. These elbow strikes can be some of the most vicious and effective attacks in any fighter’s arsenal.
There...
The art of Jeet Kune Do created by Bruce Lee integrates all facets of combat. Various styles are borrowed from boxing, fencing, and other types of fighting. But one of the things that makes it truly unique is Jeet Kune Do footwork.
If you...
If you want to achieve success as a martial artist, you need to improve your takedown defense as a way to avoid being brought to the ground during a fight. When mixed martial arts (MMA) first started, skilled grapplers won many of the first...
When you use a knee strike or stomp, you get a low-risk, high-reward option for self-defense. With a head kick, the potential high reward is counterbalanced by the real risk of you missing and the attacker staging a takedown.
But even if...
Unless an attacker or mugger threatens you with a gun, most instances where self-defense is necessary will be up close and personal. Learning close combat moves is essential to protecting yourself in these dangerous situations. It can help...
There’s a saying in the martial world that says, “Either you move your head or he’s gonna move it for you.”
Effective head movement is used to avoid oncoming attacks and also to set up strong counter moves. It can...
It is widely accepted by fighters and other people around the world that Bruce Lee was the most influential martial artist of all time. From his famous action movies to his unique martial art of Jeet Kune Do, the legend of Bruce Lee has held...
We all know that martial arts help people of all ages live healthier lives. People often miss the many benefits of martial arts for kids in school. Taking regular Jeet Kune Do martial arts classes at New York Martial Arts Academy can help your...
Setting New Year’s resolutions can be hit or miss. If you are only jumping on the bandwagon, you won’t get much out of it. But if your commitment is something you planned out and decide to stick with, you could choose this moment to be...
Martial arts was initially seen as combative and puzzling. It was mostly learned and practiced by adults and was chiefly about self-defense. Martial arts has ever since grown from that stage of tiny dirty schools to schools teaching...
Bruce Lee often called his art of Jeet Kune Do, fencing without a foil. In this entry we will be discussing what he meant by that statement.
If you take a look at fencing and Jeet Kune Do, you will not a few similarities. One of...
A slew of Bruce Lee types, embracing both men and women, could soon be making their way through the streets of New York--but with an added physical dimension; expertise in rough, tough and often savage street fighting. In brief, those bad...
By Cass Magda
In the Tao of JKD Bruce Lee said, "I hope that martial artists are more interested in the root of martial arts and not the different decorative branches, flowers or leaves. It is futile to argue as to which single...
Jeet Kune Do is training and discipline toward the ultimate reality in combat. The ultimate reality is returning to one's primary freedom, which is simple, direct, and nonclassical. A good Jeet Kune Do man does not oppose force or give way...
1. SDA (Single Direct Attack)
A direct attack is composed of a single movement. The objective is to go to the target by the most direct route. Although it is the simplest of the attacks, it is the hardest to complete successfully because the...
Like the people who run most magazines, we at Black Belt love to look at surveys--in particular, surveys that tell us what you want to read. Back in the 1970's those surveys told us you were interested in kung fu and jeet kune do. In the '80s, it...
