JKD Club Defense 

When defending your self against a club attack, JKD attack by drawing (ABD) and timing are the most important principles when facing an opponent with a club. Never block the weapon; always the source. Stop your opponent’s hand and arm before they can strike you. Do not try to hop around: you will lose concentration. When facing an opponent with a very long reach he can hit you from a long distance. He doesn’t need to be very close to strike. Your biggest problem is reach, and that is why timing is key. If your opponent is fully committed to the attack and you take it seriously, you can always stop it from hitting you, but if he is swinging and out of control, then you are in trouble. Footwork, timing, and speed will save you from being hit. That’s why advance, retreat, side-to-side footwork, and pivoting play a big part against a club - or any opponent for that matter. For example, if your opponent swings with full commitment, then you can retreat or move sideways to defend against the attack, but you must advance very quickly to stop your opponent from returning to position. In almost every club attack, whether it comes from the side with a haymaker or over the top, you must be very meticulous in your counterattack. Let it pass you by.

Most of these techniques will work against an opponent who gives you full commitment, but you must make him commit. If you’re ever in a situation where he is just going to swing, it doesn’t matter how he hits you, as long as he scores and does the most damage to you that he can. It’s up to you to make him change his method of attack. You have to be very deceptive and make him do something that he did not intend to do by committing himself. Then it is all over for him.