Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do

Bruce Lee realized that every single form of martial arts style had a weakness as well as strong points and that each of the styles were very limited. Bruce knew that it wasn't enough to just learn the techniques of kicks, punches,blocks, and chops. All these would be useless if it were doen poorly. During this time, Bruce began to study various martial arts styles. He once said, "To me ninety - nine percent of the whole business of oriental self - defense is baloney. It's fancy jazz. It looks good but it doesn't work." This is the classical martial arts that he referred to as a "classical mess." Bruce thought that the problem with the classical martial arts was the traidtional training methods that taught students to use the techniques in a rigid, formal fashion. Bruce knew this certainly wasn't practical in a real fight because ral fights happen very quickly and that a person trying to do everything in correct form could be easily defeated. Students who trained iin in just only one martial arts style would easily and certainly be vulnerable to the opponent who knew the weakness of that style. " By creating Jeet Kune Do translated as "way of the intercepting fist" , Bruce was trying to solve those problems. "For instance, he realized that not everyone should be trained to fight in the same way. A man man with short legs might never learn to kick well. Such a student would be better off punching or wresling. A tall student might become an expert kicker because he could use his long legs to keep his opponent at a distance." Bruce's JKD was a system that also took advantage of each students stronget qualities.

The main philosophies that Bruce posted on the wall of his school was:

The truth in combat is different for each individual:

1. Research your own experience.

2. Absorb what is useful.

3. Reject what is usless.

4. Add what is specifically your own.

A key idea that bruce developed in JKD is "economy of motion" which means that any attack should be direct without the use of alot of needless movements. His students are taught to understand "the four ranges of combat" which are (1) kicking range, (2) punching range, (3)trapping range, and (4) grappling range. Though all students were taught to fight in all four ranges, each student may choose to focus his/her training on the range he/she fights best. One of the special things about JKD was the fact that it was a system that used only parts of each style that includes footwork, training methods, or other special techniques. For Bruce, JKD was more than just a martial arts style, it was soemthign that went beyond that."It could change and adapt itself to any sort of attack. It makes use of techniques and training methodsfom a number of traditional martial arts. Bruce explained that,"JKD utilizes all ways and is bound by none" he then continued to ostate that it is the "way of no way" a way without limitations. Bruce is also often remembered for qouting,"my truth is not your truth." What he didn't want was people to blindly imitate him. In creating JKD he also ws trying to help people to find their way and of course, JKD was a style that could adapt itself to each person's natural abilities.

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