…Is This Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do? No!

-READ ME- Description is split into 2 parts: Video & My Opinion of JKD – which you are free to agree or disagree with I have not disabled the ratings or comments, so please share your thoughts.

The Video –
I did not create this video, but fully support it. You may recognise a few of the faces in this video, do not take offense but at the same time the issue is serious.

A tiny sample of some of the BS that gets passed off as JKD. 20th July 2008 marks the 35th Anniversary of the death of the legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee. 35 years on what would Bruce Lee think of his legacy, what would he say to these people teaching “Jeet Kune Do”. Fakes using his name for nothing but money and fame, some of which are so delluded that they believe they get ‘IT’ when its so obvious that they lack even the most basic tools, turning JKD into MMA, using weapons. Teaching techniques they do not understand, making it up as they go along, buying certifications over the internet, certified after weekend seminars or Jeet Kune Do Instructional DVDs, ignoring the key and most logical principles. Passing such things as Jeet Kune Do endangers them and their students it will get people hurt or even worse, Jeet Kune Do has become a joke in martial art circles. STOP THE LIES, TAKE A STAND, EXPOSE THE TRUTH, THE REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN!

Regarding Jeet Kune Do –
JKD is a system it is not concept or a mish mash of 27 different martial arts (Bruce Lee did not pioneer MMA, MMA has been around since the Greeks). JKD has a structure it has set scientific and biomechanical principles. Set because these are the laws of physics and human biomechanics these do not change and do not become outdated! JKD is not a style, Bruce Lee went to the root of combat to find the truth and found that we all obey the same laws of physics and have the same biomechanics, because we have 2 arms 2 legs, when such things are universal, ultimately there is no such thing as style. As he said, styles separate men (humans).

What works for you may not work for me is rubbish. Jeet Kune Do was developed around human biomechanics, we have 2 legs 2 arms, we all obey the same universal laws. Therefore there is no may work for some not for others, not unless you are talking specifically about feats of speed, strength or agility. The techniques are universal to all of us just requires patients and practice like any else.

Regarding JKDC –
Bruce Lee did not want JKD to be taught to the masses, he wanted it to be kept small and private and the quality high, but Dan Inosanto’s Concepts is being taught to the masses, with very little quality control (the same could be said about all martial arts, but it seems worse in JKD). Bruce Lee was cutting away at the art, whereas Dan Inosanto’s Concepts have been adding to the art. Applying the “concept” of JKD on to other arts, eventually we may lead to the same result, we are just on different paths to that goal.

JKDC seems to be dieing out with instructors suddenly calling themselves MMA instructors talk about jumping on the bandwagon! This somewhat proves a point that many OJKD people have been saying for years, Inosanto didnt need to use the name “JKD” to describe his art when it moved so far away from the source material yet he chose to, and now that MMA is the in thing suddenly no more “JKD”, seems like it was all about cashing in on a name.

Regarding Grappling –
JKD people should be learning take down defense, counter measures, but we will not take fights to the ground, its all about getting up as quickly as possible. Bruce Lee used 3 ranges, concepts use 5, why to squeeze in more arts. Which one is the more effiecient. Learning 5 different arts or mastering 2 punches and 2 kicks, and footwork?

Now I am not say that I ignore all grappling techniques, I believe it is very important as a martial artist that we learn the full spectrum of combat, you study it to understand its nature but not to use it. Like kali you would learn how to handle knives and sticks, however I would never use such weapons in a fight. You also need to take into consideration the law, if you can defend yourself with just your hands and feet then you do not need a knife. Bruce Lee was researching the grappling arts, but he always kept it simple, if someone grabs you HIT HIM!

Regarding Ted Wong – Ted Wong clocked up the most time training with Bruce Lee, unlike the other students Sifu Ted had no prior martial art training, so Bruce Lee taught him from the ground up.

Goal of the vid is to make people aware of what has happened to JKD over the past 35 years, and may reverse some of that damage.

On a final note, be honest with yourself… styles seperate people… under the heavens we are all one family, it just so happens we are different… So let us share our knowledge and experience, try to treat our fellow man/women with the same respect we would like to be treated, & truth will riveal itself!