Wednesday, December 28, 2011

                                                        EFFICIENCY                      


Its very interesting to me when I see a JKD site try and get dogmatic with certain principles that Bruce Lee discussed in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do.   It's an attempt to turn JKD into another fixed style with a harden doctrine. 

Sometimes you will see JKD described as adhering to certain rules as if these rules are some irrefutable gospel. Rules like: Simplicity, Economy of Motion, Longest Weapon to the Nearest Target, etc...   Unfortunately, this does JKD a disservice and displays a lack of understanding into its innate fluidity.  First, it's important to understand that JKD recognizes 4 ranges of combat, which are categorized as kicking, boxing, trapping and ground fighting range. Each one of these ranges has its own particular truth, which can be exclusive to that range. For instance, in kicking range we often find that the longest weapon to the nearest target and economy of motion is a very effective strategy.  However in trapping range where we can attack with elbows and knees, the same principles would prove inefficient. You will end a fight much faster with the rear chambered knee rather than the one closest to your opponent.  Sorry, but that's just a fact known by every Thai fighter.  If someone doubts that, then feel free to test that by kneeing a bag with the rear leg and then the closer front leg.  What is going to do the most damage and end the fight quickly?  Ending the fight quickly is the ultimate efficiency and that is the core principle of JKD.

If I had to come up with one word to describe JKD, it would be efficiency! Bruce Lee was very focused on how to end a fight fast.  When he had that famous fight with Won Jack Man and it took over 3 minutes, Lee felt that was far too long and that was one of the turning points in his martial arts philosophy. He felt that a fight should end in a matter of seconds and not minutes.  The longer you are in a fight, the more likely you are going to be injured. When I train Law Enforcement,  I will ask "how long do you want to stand in front of the barrel of a loaded gun?" The usual response is "As short of a time as possible!"   That's JKD.
                                                 
                                                     http://absolutedefense.net/

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