About ~ What is JKD?

Jeet Kune Do is the only non-classical Chinese martial art available today; it is also known as “Scientific Street fighting.” JKD Side Kick

Jeet Kune Do translates from Cantonese to “the way of the intercepting fist.” Jeet means to stop or intercept, Kune meaning fist or style, and Do means the way. It was founded by the late Bruce Lee around 1965, and was accepted and recognized around the world. Unfortunately with his passing on July 20th, 1973, he left a big legacy behind. Jeet Kune Do is very direct. It does not remain the same. It must change as time changes. It is not rigid but is fluid; also it favors simplicity and directness.

Jeet Kune Do can be changed and improved upon as time proceeds. Some moves they used thousands of years ago might not work in today’s society. People used horses to travel and they used knives and swords in combat. Fortunately we don’t do that any more and we don’t miss it. Jeet Kune Do is a process of growing and constantly improving. It takes the form of whatever works, no matter what style it is. It does not become that style because style tends to separate people from each other. They might think their style is the only answer for combat, but every style has its weak points. In Jeet Kune Do, we take the stronger points out of that style and use whatever works from it and we are not bound by it.

Jeet Kune Do does not beat around the bush; it gets directly to the point. Jeet Kune Do is a ‘cutting away process'.’ A diamond cutter cuts away at the rough, losing almost half of it until the beauty and brilliance of a diamond is revealed. Jeet Kune Do is ones self-expression outside all fixed patterns. It is a system with no system. You express the technique. You don’t act out the technique, you become the technique. Don’t become the product of that technique - you don’t hit. Let “it” hit without even thinking of hitting. Don’t concentrate on just one thing. If you do, you are going to miss all the glorious things around you. Jeet Kune Do takes the easy way out with the least amount of energy. Jeet Kune Do doesn’t use any fancy or unnecessary stands because in real fighting none of the fancy stances work. It might look good, but looking good will not help in real situations. Just simply express yourself through any unsophisticated movement.

Other martial artists are limited to one style. The student is doing the system through them. They are copying everything the instructor shows them. They, in return, are the products of that style. You do it their way only and it cannot be changed. Heaven forbid the student changes or modifies their particular style. By that I mean you are very limited. Jeet Kune Do (JKD) uses no way because “when ever there is a way there lies the limitation.” You use what works in a real fight. You can change, modify, and add to it, and so “that way it is a continuous growth.” Also you should always keep in mind that “with an empty cup you can gain totality”. Absorb whatever works with the least amount of energy.

That doesn't’t mean that Jeet Kune Do is all over the place like some people might think. What it means is that you are free in your martial art to train in different styles or cross train, as I will demonstrate in this book. Don’t be surprised because a good Jeet Kune Do Practitioners will flow from one system to another system. If you wish to lean towards one system then that’s your prerogative, but your limiting yourself. Some situations might be in kicking range, others might be in punching range, and some in trapping range or even ground range. If you lack one of these ranges you will lose no matter how skillful you are in one style of martial arts. A good JKD practitioner uses it all, you name it, you should grasp it! The student must still learn the basics and fundamentals.