What is Jeet Kune Do?

Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is the name that the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee gave to his unique combat system and philosophy. The underlying tenets of JKD are to use minimal movements to maximum effects, all at extreme speeds. The effect is impressive and powerful. Founded in 1967, JKD has exploded in popularity along with Lee, himself. JKD is designed to give the fighter an impressive range of tools, allowing them to smoothly adapt and flow mid-fight in order to respond to the often unpredictable nature of combat.

 

The straight lead is a leading punch strike formulated for speed, as opposed to power. According to Lee, this punch is the backbone of all punching in Jeet Kune Do. It is the fastest and most accurate punch in JKD.

Non-Telegraphed punches are designed to catch an opponent off guard and throw them off balance, leaving them unable to defend themselves. This type of punching is calculated to not present any noticeable signals that will allow the opponent to anticipate the strike.

One of the main departures from other forms of Martial Arts that helps define Bruce Lee’s Jute Kune Do is the idea that real combat is varied and unpredictable. Many forms of martial arts focus on learning rigid combinations of movements, whereas Lee encourages his students to “be like water”—stay fluid and adapt to your situation.

Jeet Kune Do teaches you to keep things simple. To waste no time or movement. The ultimate goal is to achieve ultimate efficiency, directness, and simplicity. This allows the fighter to conserve time and energy and to maximize force and end the battle quickly.

 

The main tenet that inspired Bruce Lee to develop his own style of martial art was to promote realism. He felt that most other systems promoted a false sense of security through flashy, flowery techniques that looked good, but were ultimately ineffective. The techniques in Jeet Kune Do are based on their effectiveness in real life combat situations.

 

The New York Martial Arts Academy has trained over 4,500 students in the art of Jeet Kune Do and they were the first school in the New York tri-state area to offer classes focused on Bruce Lee’s unique discipline. It has been recognized by Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus, an organization consisting of Bruce Lee’s family and original students, which is dedicated to preserving the art, philosophy, and teaching of Lee. Contact the New York Martial Arts Academy today and learn about their affordable programs available for all ages. The first week of training is free!