Speed and Rhythm depend on the individual. Some people are very fast, some medium fast, and some are slow, but sometimes a slow technique can be fast--this depends on the situation. Timing can make all the difference, because it  compliments both speed and rhythm.
If an opponent punches me with a slow punch, and I time my block at the correct slow speed at that exact rhythm, I'll block it. If he hits slowly, I block slowly. So, I follow his rhythm to be accurate with my counter attack. One must figure out his opponent's speed, and then match his speed to the opponent's. Practice, repetition, and drills--especially the paper drill--help to achieve this ability. To build speed timing and rhythm, begin by taking an 8.5 X 11 piece of paper (thicker quality paper or an old magazine will do) and letting it hang from a short string at the same height as your head (maybe off of a door jam). Move around the paper; treat it like a speed bag. If you miss it, it might be because you hit too soon. This enforces finding the right moment to strike. It is realistic because the paper will seem to flow around you. All types of punches and angles can be used against the paper. Your timing must become perfect for it to work well. Speed and timing must be accurate and perfect. A broken rhythm repetition becomes crucial in this exercise. You should watch how the paper moves, and use the broken rhythm on it. Mix it up.
Using a real speed bag and working with rhythm builds hand speed, but using paper is preferable due to its low cost and silence. However, the best practice is to work with a partner on actual strikes, as it teaches when to really block and when to punch. The main point is that you must make the most of your individual skills--if you are slow, your timing can still be correct.
Distance is a very difficult subject, taking years of practice and personal experience to judge correctly. Also, distance is always preferential. With these drills, you can learn when to and when not to attack, and the opponent can move in different directions. Results come through a lot of sparring practice, and different levels of sparring can help. Applying correct timing is essential to getting proper distance. While both timing and distance can help your skill, if your speed is poor then the attack can fail. Therefore, the three main points to consider here are speed, timing, and distance. I don't agree with people who say you can be taught distance.' Learning to judge distance is entirely up to the individual. All that matters is that you stop the attack. How can one know an opponent's stance and attack combos? One simply cannot. The ability to judge distance can be improved on the counterattack. With JKD, defense is also offense. Advancing is always better because then the opponent is backpedaling and has less power.
Speed training with weights can help develop speed. Use 2-3 pound weights in each hand. Make sure you follow through with your punches. If you stop and pull back, it will damage your elbows. Then, after using the weights, do the same exercises without the weights.
Neither timing, speed, nor distance can actually be taught--these skills are all self-taught. Ideas and hints can be given as to how to improve in these areas. However, the decision of when to execute is up to you. JKD timing is much faster than that of other martial art forms. Once a practitioner has developed his or her own way of judging speed, distance, and rhythm, then the Economy of Motion is developed, which is non-tenseness, posture relaxation, and physical focus. It's getting from point one to point three without dealing with point two. It's never wasting a technique; it's getting to the point. There's never a need to show body language before executing a technique, and never any wasted movements. It's all one motion.
TIMING (SEE GON): Timing plays a big part. There are six varieties of timing: self-timing, regular timing, created timing, breaking timing, delayed timing, and double timing.
SELF-TIMING: Self-timing is a part of you. It relies heavily on body unity. All techniques are to be executed at the same time. For example, you can block and punch at the same time. You can block, pivot, and strike simultaneously. This is why I teach with the Wooden Dummy. It teaches you all these things and allows everything to be timed right. Good coordination is self-timing.
REGULAR TIMING (SEE GON SING): Regular timing is similar to self-timing, with a slight difference. You have to time the attack just right. You can strike either before he strikes or when the door is opening or closing (retreating). You borrow the opponent's power so that when you intercept, you are using his power plus your own power, giving you double power.
CREATED TIMING (JAY JO SEE GON): In created timing, you must initiate the attack. Strike him before he strikes you. It is like making time to spend with the wife and kids--if you do not do it, someone else will be living in your house. You must strike at any opening before your opponent does. Intercept his emotions. Initiate the first attack by creating timing. It is like forcing him to open the door but knocking first. As he opens the door, he will be facing a strike.
BREAKING TIMING (DA PO SEE GON): In breaking timing, there is a delay between a block and a strike. You hold your opponent's attack, so you can strike before he closes the door or retreats back to position. If he strikes at you, then you hold his strike before the counter. This way, you are breaking his timing by delaying.
DELAYED TIMING (TOE YIN SEE GON): Delayed timing is done intentionally to delay the block or strike. For example, you would feed a light strike while waiting for a better opening to make a more powerful strike. It is deception.
DOUBLE TIMING (SEUNG CHOONG SEE GON): Double timing is any two timings put together.
To practice your speed, rhythm, and timing, use a speed bag, or you can also puncture a hole in an 81/2 x 11 piece of paper or an old magazine, and let it hang off a small rope at head height, which works just as well.
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