JKD By-Jon Stance

JKD By-Jon on- guard position (semi- crouch stance) is the only, and the most effective fighting stance for attacking and defense. It is the backbone of JKD, and combined with front lead, it is the most well structured fighting stance. It is geometrically designed into imaginary pyramids and triangles in relation to the Self-Center Line. Using the JKD By-Jon is unlike other Martial Arts fighting stances; they don’t concentrate on the centerline. Some do, but many don’t. They leave it open, therefore, your vital organs, which are on the centerline, are exposed. Some even leave the lower part of the body unprotected. Some do not have any mobility, and some are too rigid. From all my years of training and research, I have found that a JKD fighting stance is so well plugged. It is almost like a cage of little pyramids surrounds you. This is very difficult for an opponent to penetrate it. Combined with proper footwork and training, it is unlikely to be touched. Geometric structure of JKD by-Jon is well designed so that your blocks and attacks are designed of little Pyramids, which are also the most powerful structure known. Every angle of JKD block fits in a geometric Pyramid in relation with a centerline. Whether it is an attack or block, it all fits in the Pyramid structure that has a very strong base, flowing all of your energy into a single most direct point with the fastest and most powerful path into your opponent. Every JKD stance footwork attack or defense has a pyramid structure. It could be a block or an attack like Choon Choy (straight punch) or Tun Sow (showing hand block) etc. Or it can be a block hit and you will generate much more power by maintaining it. The on guard position allows the practitioner to be very mobile, by taking small steps or big steps. Whether the attack or defense is on a straight or curved line, it allows both a very good balance when bridging the gap between you and your opponents, and a very smooth path without any restrictions to your movements, or feet

BY-JON STANCE POSITIONS

The posture is very relaxed ,still, sunk, and ready for any attack and defense. It is like a cobra ready to strike at any moment .
The Head: Chin slightly bent forward to avoid any under blows. This will also help to bob and weave much faster.
Rear Hand: This is heavily used for blocking against any oncoming straight punches, hooks, upper cuts, or kicks. It is also used for striking and hand immobilization.
Rear Elbow: Mainly used to protect against any round kicks against the ribs or the side of the body.
Rear Knee: Slightly bent out for faster mobile and springing action.
Rear Foot: Turned outward at a 45 to 50 degree angle.
Rear Heel: Raised 1” to 2” off the ground creating a coiled spring action. By raising the heel up, it offers better mobility for footwork and sprinting to reach the opponent much faster, and with much more power. It forces your whole body weight behind the punch. Also the rear heel or the arch of the foot should line up with the front toes to allow free path from rear kicking. If your front foot is in too much, then the rear foot cannot attack on a straight line. You would have to adjust your structure to score a proper invisible kick.
Front Hand: Is the backbone of JKD, used heavily for striking. It is “compared to boxers jab but much more damaging” (Bruce lee long st)
In addition, it is used against front blocking, any straight line punches, or curved line.
The front hand protects against any attacks, whether a front kick to the groin, or round kicks, or any type of kick.
Front Elbow: Used mainly to protect against any round kicks, hooks to the body, or midsection, and also used for power strikes.
Front Knee: Slightly bent and turned inward to protect against any blows to the groin area.
Front Foot: Turned inward at a 25-30 degree angle used heavily for kicking and stop blocking like (Jeet Teck).
Rear and Front Foot: Approximately two feet apart from each other, wider then the shoulders, and the weight distribution is 35% on the front leg and 65% on the rear leg to a total of 100%. “Note “ weight distribution may vary among practitioners.