Fighting Ranges of Jeet Kune Do

Nearly everyone has heard of the four ranges of combat:

kicking, punching, trapping and grappling. They are perhaps
most often associated with training in jeet kune do, in which
students seek to acquire different skills from different arts to
prepare themselves to fight in any situation.

Yet theres another set of ranges only three this time

in JKD training. They are the high, middle and low ranges. If
you train to strategically use them, you can transform yourself
into a smarter fighter and your opponent into a blithering fool
who gets taken out of commission more quickly, more easily
and more efficiently.

Fight Smart:
Physically, Bruce Lee was not a big man. At about 130 pounds,
he had to ensure his techniques and strategies were the most
efficient and realistic ones known.

For me to pull something off, Ive really get the technique

down, but technique alone is not going to get me where I want
to go.

Thats where the three ranges come into play. The guiding
strategy goes something like this: When your opponent attacks
you in one range, that means hes focusing all his attention on
that range. Therefore, the logical choice for you is to
counterattack him in a different range.

When a person is doing something in one range, hes forgetting

about the others,
If youre in trouble in a fight, you should address those ranges
that hes not thinking about.

Definitions

In a confrontation, your opponent even if hes untrained

can easily attack you in any of the three ranges. Using the high
range, he might throw a punch at your face. Using the middle
range, he might throw a hook to your breadbasket or a knee to
your sternum. Using the low range, he might launch a kick at
your thigh or knee.

The key to using JKDs three ranges lies in protecting the body
part your opponent attacks by evading, intercepting or blocking,
then counterattacking to a different range. Sounds simple,
doesnt it?

It takes training to be able to use the ranges,

First, somebody has to tell you they exist. People with no

experience dont know they can attack a different range. Its like
they have a rule book that says what they can and cannot do in a
fight. But constantly being exposed to the fact that you do have
alternatives and training so you understand what that alternative
is all about gives you an edge.

A lot of people have been exposed to them, but they seem to

push them to the side out of their delusional ego and value
systems, its because they want to crash heads they want to
compete with each other at the same level with the same rules
and such bullshit. In reality, thats not the most advantageous
way to do it unless youre doing tournament point fighting as a
sport. On the street, you have to be ready to mix and confuse
your opponent, and you can do that by addressing the different
ranges.
Denial

The average person hopes and trains to defeat his

opponent with whichever skills he has accumulated and knows
best. That can work well if your opponent is good at one range
(say hes a boxer) while youre good at another (a skilled muay
Thai thigh kicker, for example).

But what if you and your opponent happen to be good punchers?

You could end up slugging it out in a no-rules boxing match.

Unfortunately, this is often the product of conventional training

and inflexible habit thinking, in which students spar with
practitioners of the same style: Boxers box with
boxers, taekwondo practitioners kick other taekwondo
practitioners, etc.

Presenting an attacker with something hes not used to and,

therefore, not good at defending against, makes more sense.

Ive dealt with some kickboxers who were good at what they
do, But when they try to deal with the different ranges, theyre
thrown off. It takes them by surprise because its not in the
range theyre familiar with.

When the three ranges are used successfully, shocked martial

artists are often filled with disbelief. A lot of times, there is
denial, they cant quite understand it. They want to try again,
and generally they lose again because theyre not even
competing on the same level.

With a typical tournament match or mixed-martial arts [8] fight,

its relatively easy to determine your opponents style before
you tangle with him. But on the street, how can you know?

You dont ever really know what the person is going to do,
If hes a street fighter, he could pick something up from the
ground, and that throws everything out the door as far as
wanting to go over and do some boxing with him. However,
most will rush you and take you to the ground.

Others will try to punch your head. The best thing to do, is stay
away from your opponent and try to get an idea of how he
fights.

As soon as you determine his style that hes a headhunter, for

example thats your cue to go for his middle or low range.

The first thing you should think is, What is he doing? because
whatever hes doing, you dont want to do.
It doesnt necessarily mean you have to fight and defeat your
opponent using a range with which youre uncomfortable.

Instead, it means you use a specific range to create hesitation,

then switch to any range you like to finish the job.

Whether you hit him or he hits you, theres hesitation,

And that means theres an opening for your follow-up. A lot of

people think they can hit once and thatll be enough. For
example, many beginner boxers will hit their opponent and
stand back because theyre proud of it. And on the street, you
see people take a lot of pride in themselves when they hit
someone.

Of course, you shouldnt allow yourself to get hit just to create a

moment of hesitation, But if it does happen, dont go into
shock. One hit is generally not going to knock you out,

So take advantage of it. It opens the door so you can change the
ranges and do whatever youre trained to do.

High Range

The high range is basically from the shoulders up,

Street fighters have a tendency to hit the neck, chin and nose
areas. Sometimes they try to rupture an eardrum if they know
what theyre doing.

When youre confronted with a high-range attack, immediately

switch to another range. If youre in a boxing mode, go to the
midsection,
If youre into kicking, go to the legs or shins, or use your knee
to the midsection.
If the guy attacks high, does it matter whether you go to his
middle or low range? In a street fight, go to whatever target
you can get to first,

As Bruce Lee[2] said, use your closest weapon to strike his

closest target.

Remember that its best to move to a jeet kune do [3] range your
attacker isnt comfortable with. Because a lot of street fighters
and boxers have experience dealing with blows to the gut, you
might want to avoid that. If hes comfortable with it, you
should not be there,

Instead, you can hit the shin, stomp on the foot or hit the
groin.

Middle Range

The middle range includes the sternum, ribs and stomach.

Getting hit in those areas hurts, and it can take you out of
commission,

If a person tries to punch you in the middle range, he has to

lower his hands,

Then you can go low or high. I feel more comfortable going

high countering with a strike to the nose or eyes. Remember
that you dont want to just slug the guy in the head and risk
breaking your own hand.

A lot of fighters, especially those who have been influenced

by muay Thai, [4] love to kick to the legs, but they will strike
higher if the opportunity presents itself, Ralph Bustamante said.
Because such a fighter is probably protecting his head while
blasting your middle range, you may want to aim for his low
range.
You can try to take out his supporting leg, but it may be hard to
hit because you have to clear his kicking leg to get to it, he
said. Or you could block the kick with a knee destruction or
sidestep and kick low.
Low Range
The low range includes all targets below the waist. Obviously,
they are most easily attacked with the legs.
There are times when an attacker will kick low, and you can
get him in the middle range with a cross to the sternum, Ralph
Bustamante said. Itll catch him off-guard.
In a common street-attack scenario, your opponent will duck his
head and try to tackle you like a football player, Ralph
Bustamante said. Most people dont realize that all they have to
do is bring up the knee and attack a different range the face
and chest are usually exposed. It can be a rude awakening.
Backing up and shoving the attackers head down also works
well, but people usually dont think of it, Ralph Bustamante
said. That means it will take a little more training. The easiest
thing is just to bring up the knee and use your survival instinct
to protect yourself.
Be forewarned that with a very low tackle, youre probably
going to go down, Ralph Bustamante said. If the person comes
in low enough, that means hes already prepared himself.
Therefore, you have to know how to fall properly and follow up.
The takedown can be severe, and it can tweak your knees. And
if he comes in below the knees, you cant knee him because
your knees move up. When you go down, be prepared to use
bicycle-type kicks to his high range to get out.
And as grapplers keep reminding the martial arts world, you
need be comfortable on the ground, Ralph Bustamante said. It
should be a priority with all martial artists.
Advanced Skills
When you get skilled at changing ranges as described above,
should you consider changing more than once in the same fight?
For example, if the attacker punches at your face, should you
punch to his middle range, then kick to his low range and
possibly move back to his middle range?
Confusion is always your ally, Ralph Bustamante said. But if
something is working well, its hard to say to go to something
else. Its up to you and how you feel at the time. The reaction
you get from the assailant dictates what you do next. If youre
not getting the answer you want, you have to change things
again.
Thats where women have an advantage over men, Ralph
Bustamante said. They dont try to compete because they know
they cant outmuscle a man. They start to look for those other
things that are available. Thats the way men should look at it,
also.
THE FOUR RANGES OF COMBAT
Bruce Lee identified four ranges of empty hand combat. The
first range was identified as kicking range and is the furthest
from your opponent. The next range is called boxing or
punching range and is a little closer and is about one step in
from kicking range. The closest range in stand up fighting is
trapping range. Then finally we have grappling range which can
be as close as two opponents can possibly be and often has full
body contact top to bottom and is on the ground.

There are a few basic strategies in JKD as to how to use the 4

ranges. One thought is to identify what range your opponent
wants to fight in and you stay outside that range. For instance,
you would not fight an expert boxer in punching range, but try
to subdue them in kicking or trapping range. While this is a
good theory, in a street fight its not practical. Firstly, you dont
have much time in a real fight to discover what your opponents
expertise is and secondly the grappling range is always our last
choice. A golden rule is we try to avoid going to the ground in a
real fight. Also, by the time you discover your opponents
preferred range, it can be bad news for you. We want to end a
fight as quickly as possible and we are not planning to hang
around to see if this person is a better fighter. Maybe he was a
better fighter; we just didnt give him a chance to prove it.

A much better way to think of the 4 ranges of combat is to think

of them as a series of descending choices. Another rule for
street fighting is distance is our friend. Speaking of distance,
retreat has always been a military strategy and should be an
important part of your repertoire. In my opinion, the best way
to think of the ranges of fighting is to try to end a conflict from
the furthest range. If I can end a fight with a kick, why not? If
the kick didnt stop the assault then usually you find yourself in
punching range and thats the second choice. If punching range
does not work, we flow into trapping range, which would be our
third choice. The final range and absolute last choice on our list
is grappling or going to the ground. There are so many reasons
in a real fight to not go to the ground so that should always be
last on our list if possible. Remember we are talking about street
survival and not sports fighting.
Learn the Most Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee
Taught From His Top Disciples!
Posted By Robert Young On May 10, 2016 @ 4:42 pm In Bruce
Lee | No Comments
The concept was simple enough: We contacted 16 prominent
martial artists who either teach jeet kune do [1] or were inspired
by it, then asked them to identify the single most important
thing Bruce Lee [2] taught. To liven it up a bit, we told them it
didnt have to be a punch or a kick; it could also be a concept or
a philosophy.
The hardest part, most everyone reported, was picking only one
thing. In fact, some people disregarded our instructions and
selected two or three and were kind of glad they did because
all the answers are fascinating.
Editors
 [3]Photo by Rick Hustead
DAN INOSANTO [4]
First-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Founder of the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts
Four-Time Black Belt Hall of Famer
Since my first meeting with sifu Bruce in 1964, throughout my
years as head instructor at our Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute and the
nearly 60 years since that day when we became friends, teacher-
student and collaborators, Ive continued to teach the lessons
taught to me by my best friend and instructor. Ive been asked
this question countless times, and the answer is always the
same: self-expression through self-discovery.
Learn from Bruce himself! Order a copy of Bruce Lees
Fighting Method: The Complete Edition today! [5]
Sifu Bruce had many no fail techniques and principles, and
they changed on a regular basis. The one that never failed was
his quest for self-expression through self-discovery. Thats
because self-expression and self-discovery lead to self-
perfection physically, mentally and emotionally.
The never-ending process of self-expression and the belief in
oneself [determine whether] what students chose to execute at
any give time will work. I could list an encyclopedia of
techniques that Bruce used and favored from month to month
and year to year, but that wouldnt benefit anyone as much as
the true lesson and meaning of his art.
 [6]Photo by Thomas Sanders
TIM TACKETT [7]
Second-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Author of Chinatown Jeet Kune Do [8] and Chinatown Jeet
Kune Do, Volume 2 [9]
Star of Chinatown Jeet Kune Do: Essential Elements of Bruce
Lees Martial Art [10] DVD
Since jeet kune do means way of the intercepting fist,
intercepting an opponents attack is what I would stress to a
JKD student. With interception being the goal, Id focus on the
stop-hit or the stop-kick. While any punch can be used as a stop-
hit and any kick can be used as a stop-kick, I prefer the straight
lead and the shin/knee side kick, respectively. If I had to pick
one, it would be the stop-kick. The reason: If you stay on the
outside of your opponents attack (the fighting measure), hell
have to step toward you to strike or kick. That leaves his front
leg vulnerable to your shin/knee side stop-kick.
As far as concepts go, Id focus on what Bruce Lee told his
student Bob Bremer: Take what is offered to you. If your
opponent steps toward you, hes offering you his front leg to
attack. Its an important part of the basic idea of intercepting
your opponents attack.
 [11]Photo by Robert Reiff
KELLY MCCANN [12]
JKD Student
Author of Combatives for Street Survival [10]
Star of Kelly McCanns Combatives Self-Defense Online
Course [13]
Black Belt Hall of Famer
There are many characteristics of how I practice combatives that
are similar to those of jeet kune do. Its almost impossible to
single out only two or three that are emblematic, but if pressed,
Id have to choose the simultaneity of attack and defense.
In combatives, blocking isnt an isolated event. Using a well-
developed guard, you only block in order to (or as you) attack.
Blocking is a fractional movement that facilitates a strike. In
JKD, it was Bruce Lees intention to acknowledge the necessity
of blocking (or avoiding) strikes but not to the extent that
blocking distracted from attacking. This approach ensures that
you quickly reverse roles with your attacker you become the
predator, and he becomes the prey. It also provides you with
more opportunities to gain and maintain offensive momentum.

[14]Kelly McCanns Combatives

Self-Defense Course, a new remote-learning program from
Black Belt, will help you fine-tune your street-defense skills
using your tablet or smartphone! [13]
Another essential is interception. In combatives, we call it pre-
emption. Basically, Lees assertion that you should intercept
aggression in stages (mentally, vocally and physically) is
analogous to the combatives approach of first, being avoidant by
using situational awareness; second, warning off by taking some
type of early physical action to avoid an altercation; and finally,
in the most threatening circumstances, launching your attack
before your adversarys attack is fully manifested. Its pre-
emptively attacking essentially, stop-hitting.
Lees combative perspective remains as refreshing today as it
was decades ago. His intensity, dedication to challenging
convention and reductionist approach will always distinguish
him as a martial arts innovator.
 [15]Photo by Rick Hustead
JOE LEWIS [16]
First-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Former World Karate Champion
Two-Time Black Belt Hall of Famer
I would choose Bruce Lees way of firing the forward-hand
straight punch, which when he did it was the fastest technique in
the martial arts. His mind-set (use of appropriate
preconsciousness) and his skill at using independent motion (a
broken-rhythm trigger squeeze) made it impossible for any
opponent to detect his well-timed punching attacks.
Ive stood toe-to-toe with the fastest fighters in the world, and I
can say that Bruce Lee, with his sharp mental attributes,
executed the quickest lead-hand punch of all.
- Black Belt - http://blackbeltmag.com -
Learn the Most Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee
Taught From His Top Disciples! Part 2
Posted By Robert Young On May 18, 2016 @ 5:56 pm In Bruce
Lee | No Comments
Black Belt contacted 16 well-known martial artists who teach
jeet kune do or were heavily influenced by it to get their
thoughts on the most important part of Bruce Lees art. Part
1 [1] features replies from Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, Kelly
McCann and Joe Lewis. Here, in Part 2, we present the answers
we got from Burton Richardson, Matthew J. Numrich, Teri Tom
and Richard S. Bustillo.
Editors

[2]
Photo by Robert Reiff
BURTON RICHARDSON [3]
Jeet Kune Do and Silat [4] Instructor
Founder of Jeet Kune Do Unlimited [5]
Black Belt Hall of Famer
Star of Burton Richardsons Silat for the Street Online
Course [6]
If I had to teach only one element of Bruce Lees art, it would
be the principle of training against a resisting opponent in all the
ranges rather than merely doing isolated drills with a
cooperative partner. Without complete sparring, you wont be
able to apply any of the techniques and tactics you need to
defeat an attacker. Lee called this method alive training.
Particular moves and strategies are very important, but the most
difficult and immediate obstacle to overcome in a real fight is
the pressure and resistance offered by the attacker. If you dont
practice dealing with them, you wont develop the ability to
automatically adjust to the myriad of obstacles that a real
opponent will present.

[7]
Silat for the Street is the title of a new online course from Black
Belt Hall of Famer Burton Richardson and Black Belt magazine.
Now you can learn the most functional silat techniques
whenever and wherever you want on your smartphone, tablet or
computer. Get more info here! [8]
Of course, Id emphasize the need to keep that kind of complete
sparring as safe as possible. Its best to start with low-intensity
sparring in all the ranges from the first day of training so the
student learns how to deal with resistance. As he progresses, he
must do as Lee admonished: Wear suitable protective equipment
and go all out. High-intensity sparring is one of the reasons Lee
stated that JKD isnt for everyone.
 [9]
Photo Courtesy of Matthew J. Numrich
MATTHEW J. NUMRICH
Jeet Kune Do [10] Instructor Under Paul Vunak
Founder of Elite Defense Systems [11]
There are two Bruce Lee [12]/JKD principles I like to get across
to my students. The first is the importance of physical training.
About 20 years ago, I saw a Muscle & Fitness magazine story
about Lees weightlifting workouts. His routines were so
specific and challenging that they showed up some professional
bodybuilders programs. I doubt any other martial artists non-
martial arts workout has been so popular. That wasnt the first
article done on Lees training methods, nor will it be the
last: Muscle & Fitness ran a cover story on his ab workout in
April 2009.
What? You dont have a copy of Bruce Lees Tao of Jeet Kune
Do: New Expanded Edition? Get yours now on Amazon! [13]
That brings up the concept of direct and indirect training. Lee
showed the importance he placed on indirect training through
his documentation of his workouts. His ab- and forearm-
development workouts disgrace all those late-night infomercial
routines. The message is clear: Technique alone doesnt make a
great fighter. The body that produces the technique is just as
important.
The second principle is interception. I dont know of anyone
who can talk about JKD without discussing interception. Lee
taught ways to not only react to an opponents attack but also
interfere with it as early as possible. That stood in the face of
those who taught only blocking, which is very reactive. Lee
would intercept an attack, even before it was completed. Thats
the sign of a highly skilled martial artist and what many of us
aspire to be.
 [14]
Photo by Rick Hustead
TERI TOM
Jeet Kune Do Instructor Under Ted Wong [15]
Former Black Belt Columnist
Author of The Straight Lead: The Core of Bruce Lees Jun Fan
Jeet Kune Do [16]
The straight lead, of course! Its a no-brainer. Bruce Lee himself
declared it the core of jeet kune do. The core you dont
need much more endorsement than that. Among the advantages
he cited are speed, accuracy, frequency of hits, maintenance of
balance, and safety.
[The straight lead] is key for bridging the gap, setting up attacks,
maintaining the fighting measure and, in his words, offensive
defense. True, its the most difficult technique in the JKD
arsenal, but without a good one, youre going to have a very
tough time.

[17]
Photo by Robert Reiff
RICHARD S. BUSTILLO [18]
President and Chief Instructor of the IMB Academy [19]
First-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Black Belt Hall of Famer
If I had to teach one technique, it would be a combination of the
front-hand strike and the front-leg kick. In JKD, we dont have
passive blocks; our blocks are our strikes.
We intercept a punch with a simultaneous front kick or hand
strike. We intercept a kick with a simultaneous stop-kick or
stop-hit. Our methods focus on using the most direct and simple
attack in response to the aggressors assault.
Learn the Most Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee
Taught From His Top Disciples! Part 3
Posted By Robert Young On June 7, 2016 @ 4:43 pm In Bruce
Lee | No Comments
Black Belt contacted 16 well-known martial artists who teach
jeet kune do or were heavily influenced by it to get their
thoughts on the most important part of Bruce Lees art. Part
1 [1] features replies from Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, Kelly
McCann and Joe Lewis.
Part 2 [2] includes the answers we got from Burton Richardson,
Matthew J. Numrich, Teri Tom and Richard S. Bustillo.
Here, in Part 3, Leo Fong, Bustillo (again), Paul Vunak and
Gary Dill weigh in.
 [3]
Photo by Peter Lueders
LEO FONG [4]
First-Generation Bruce Lee [5] Student
Black Belt Hall of Famer
Author of Beyond Kung Fu [6]
I would teach the straight front-hand lead. Its what we in
boxing call the left jab assuming you use a left-hand-forward
or orthodox stance. It can function as an offensive weapon, a
counterattack weapon or a defensive weapon. The punch wont
leave you completely exposed for your opponents counter.
One reason its so effective is the axiom that the shortest
distance between two points is a straight line. The front-hand
lead is the technique that takes advantage of that. Its no
coincidence that during my college competition years, the jab
was my best weapon for setting up the left hook.

[7]
Photo by Robert Reiff
RICHARD S. BUSTILLO [8]
President and Chief Instructor of the IMB Academy [9]
First-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Black Belt Hall of Famer
To me, simple direct attack is the most important principle of
self-defense. My fundamental rule is to strike immediately in
response to an attack. In a street situation, there are no rules or
officials to ensure a safe fight. You must train for accuracy and
explosive speed so you can use the simple direct attack.

[10]
Silat for the Street is the title of a new online course from Black
Belt Hall of Famer Burton Richardson and Black Belt magazine.
Now you can learn the most functional silat techniques
whenever and wherever you want on your smartphone, tablet or
computer. Get more info here! [11]
The most important concept Bruce Lee taught is using no way
as way. It gives you the advantage of an open mind, which
enables you to express yourself freely in martial arts combat,
business and life. You must train in all the combat ranges to be
functional and to experience the concept. It involves acting
mentally and physically in a natural way without limitation or
bondage.
 [12]
Photo by Cory Sorensen
PAUL VUNAK [13]
Self-Defense Expert
Jeet Kune Do Instructor [14] Under Dan Inosanto
Bruce Lee taught that one of the most neglected areas of the
martial arts is state of mind, otherwise known as the emotional
dimension. When youre punching, kneeing, elbowing or biting
someone, its safe to assume that youll be livid. The problem
with fighting while youre livid is that 90 percent of your skill
and training goes out the window. Theres nothing you can do in
life, even at a mediocre level, while youre in this emotional
state imagine trying to play basketball, change a tire or play
Ping-Pong.

[15]Check out the Greg Jackson Mixed

Martial Arts Core Curriculum from Black Belt! Stream lessons
to your digital device and start learning how to incorporate
MMA tactics and techniques into your current art. [16]
.
This is the paradox of the martial arts. Remember the axiom
Control follows awareness. Your first step in resolving the
problem has already been solved by simply reading this
article, youre aware.
One time in the 1970s during the wee hours of the night, I asked
Dan Inosanto how Bruce Lee solved this paradox. He said,
Bruce seemed to have a switch that went from livid to relaxed.
He was known to laugh, tell jokes and even give his opponents
pointers while he was creaming them.
All martial artists should spend more time learning to identify,
differentiate and process their emotions. The attribute will
transfer to everyday life, and youll be on your way to
spirituality.
 [17]Photo by Robert W. Young
GARY DILL [18]
Jeet Kune Do Instructor [19] Under James Lee
Founder of the Jeet Kune Do Association
JKD [20] consists of numerous techniques, principles and
concepts. The first thing I teach my students is how to punch,
both the straight-line punch and the backhand. Its not just about
proper technique; its also about how to generate speed and
power.

[21]Kelly McCanns Combatives

Self-Defense Course, a new remote-learning program from
Black Belt, will help you fine-tune your street-defense skills
using your tablet or smartphone! [22]
.
You must have proper technique so your strikes are delivered in
an efficient manner. Speed is necessary to deliver the attack
before your opponent can respond. Power, which includes
knowing how to shift your body weight, is required so you have
knockdown potential.
(To be continued.)
Bruce Lee is a registered trademark of Bruce Lee Enterprises
LLC [23]. The Bruce Lee name, image and likeness are
intellectual property of Bruce Lee Enterprises LLC.
Read Part 1 of this article here. [1]
Read Part 2 of this article here. [2]
t Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee Taught From His
Top Disciples! Part 4
Posted By Robert Young On July 12, 2016 @ 2:11 pm In Bruce
Lee | No Comments
Black Belt contacted 16 well-known martial artists who teach
jeet kune do or were heavily influenced by it to get their
thoughts on the most important part of Bruce Lees art. Part
1 [1] features replies from Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, Kelly
McCann and Joe Lewis. Part 2 [2] offers the answers we got
from Burton Richardson, Matthew J. Numrich, Teri Tom and
Richard S. Bustillo. Part 3[3] includes Leo Fong, Bustillo
(again), Paul Vunak and Gary Dill.
Here, we present the views of Lamar M. Davis II [4], Dr. Jerry
Beasley [5], Matt Thornton [6] and Thomas Cruise [7].
Editors
 [8]
Photo by Thomas Sanders
LAMAR M. DAVIS II
JKD Instructor Certified by Five First-Generation Bruce Lee
Students
Star of the Jeet Kune Do for the Advanced Practitioner [9] DVD
Set
I would teach the principles, attributes and skills necessary to
strike from wherever you happen to be without first having to
reposition yourself. JKD means way of the intercepting
fist [10]; you must strike quickly and decisively to intercept the
opponents intention to attack. JKD is all about self-defense on
the street. You must always be aware and alert, ready for
whatever may come. If you need time to get ready, as opposed
to being ready, its already too late.
Go here for more information about Jeet Kune Do for the
Advanced Practitioner by Lamar M. Davis II, on sale now at
Amazon. [9]
We have a position thats referred to as bai jong, or on-guard.
Its our primary fighting stance. However, you may not always
have time to get into that position or you might not want to
because it shows signs of pre-aggression. If you can strike
without telegraphing from wherever you are, youll have the
time you need to assume a more appropriate posture for the
threat.
 [11]
Photo by Rick Hustead
JERRY BEASLEY, ED.D. [12]
Jeet Kune Do Instructor
Founder of Karate College [13]
Black Belt Hall of Famer
Author of Dojo Dynamics [14]
Bruce Lee was clear about what he considered essential training
in JKD. He wrote, There is nothing better than free-style
sparring, and Sparring lives from moment to moment.
Therefore, I would teach a student to spar. Hard-contact sparring
with protective gear and the intent to do harm is beyond style. It
levels the playing field so that using what works becomes
essential. Its the time you get to totally experience your skills,
uncluttered by classical form.

[15]Silat for the Street is the title of a

new online course from Black Belt Hall of Famer Burton
Richardson and Black Belt magazine. Now you can learn the
most functional silat techniques whenever and wherever you
want on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Get more info
here! [16]
Lee often referred to robotic martial arts drills as organized
despair. He thought it was common for the classical martial
artist to break an alive, spontaneous encounter into neatly
organized parts, a method he called dissecting a corpse. In
full-contact sparring, as in JKD, you dont succeed by knowing
more techniques or more arts than the other guy. You gain the
simplicity of JKD by stripping away the useless baggage
associated with a desire to accumulate more skills and perform
more drills.
In a fight, your opponent dictates your choice of responses.
Using no ones way but your own, youre free to float in the
totality of all that youve mastered. JKD is the only art that
insists that you move to the next level only when you discard the
art and its inherent limitations, in favor of personal expression.
You seek not to constantly add but to constantly free yourself of
that which is not essential to your survival. The only way to find
out what works specifically for you is to test it under fire.
Sparring is the fire that burns away the unessential. Without
sparring, the art becomes a museum in which your collection of
skills and drills is neatly displayed. Sparring becomes your
battlefield, your trial by fire. When the basics have been
mastered and the cardio conditioning accomplished, its time to
get it on.
 [17]
Photo Courtesy of Matt Thornton
MATT THORNTON
Founder of Functional Jeet Kune Do
Without a doubt, the one thing Id want to get across is the
principle of aliveness. Its the training method that makes the
distinction between what works and what doesnt. Its what
differentiates traditional Japanese jujitsu from an art like
Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Once understood, [aliveness] will prevent you from ever being
fooled again regarding what is functional and what isnt. Once
fully grasped, it will allow you to go anywhere and work with
anyone and still create an atmosphere of safe, functional
training.
 [18]
Photo by Robert Reiff
THOMAS CRUSE
Jeet Kune Do Instructor Under Paul Vunak [19]
Bruce Lee [20] advocated striking the eyes, so for me, the most
important thing is attacking the eyes as naturally and efficiently
as possible. The optimal technique isnt an eye poke or an eye
jab; rather, its a lightning-fast backhand strike. Because of the
eyes proximity to the brain, we in Progressive Fighting
Systems [21] refer to them as off buttons. This means that
when you hit one eye, it affects both and usually brings a sudden
end to the altercation. The best way to accomplish that is as
follows:

[22]Kelly McCanns Combatives Self-

Defense Course, a new remote-learning program from Black
Belt, will help you fine-tune your street-defense skills using
your tablet or smartphone! [23]
1. Identify your weapon. In this case, its the back of your hand
and the first two knuckles of your fingers. To test it, turn your
hand so you can see your palm, then use it to strike the palm of
your other hand. Its a high-five type of motion that makes
contact with the back of the hand instead of the front. The
technique should follow a natural line of attack and resemble the
traditional karate backfist.
2. Identify the target. Its the eyeballs.
3. Practice it. Have a partner hold a focus pad while you hit a
spot on it thats the size of a quarter. That will teach you
accuracy.
4. Test it. Instead of injuring your partner, try it on yourself
lightly. Gently tap your own closed eye, then very gradually
increase the impact until you feel how vicious it can be.
5. Polish it. Simulate striking while youre grabbing, holding or
wrestling with your partner any time you lack the freedom of
movement, you need to use a slightly different technique.
Learn the Most Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee
Taught From His Top Disciples! Part 5
Posted By Robert Young On August 29, 2016 @ 5:55 pm
In Bruce Lee | No Comments
Black Belt contacted 16 well-known martial artists who teach
jeet kune do or were heavily influenced by it to get their
thoughts on the most important part of Bruce Lees art. Part
1 [1] features replies from Dan Inosanto [2], Tim
Tackett [3], Kelly McCann [4] and Joe Lewis [5]. Part
2 [6] offers the answers we got from Burton Richardson [7],
Matthew J. Numrich, Teri Tom and Richard S. Bustillo [8]. Part
3 [9] includes Leo Fong, Bustillo, Paul Vunak [10] and Gary
Dill [11]. Part 4 focuses on the thoughts expressed by Lamar M.
Davis II, Dr. Jerry Beasley, Matt Thornton and Thomas Cruise.
In this conclusion, we highlight Lewis, Fong, William Cheung
and Richardson.

[12]
Photo Courtesy of Black Belt
JOE LEWIS [13]
First-Generation Bruce Lee [14] Student
Former World Karate [15] Champion
Two-Time Black Belt Hall of Famer
The top three principles Bruce Lee emphasized for fighters were
distancing, relaxed explosiveness and movement (rhythm).
Although many of his students talked about broken rhythm, few
understood what it really meant and almost no one could
execute it. His indirect-angular-attack theory (progressive
indirect attack) was primarily used to level the playing field
when two equal combatants were engaged. As in the sport of
boxing, this faking-type movement pattern is a last resort to
disrupt the other persons timing. Again, the problem was that
few students developed the faking skills necessary to use this
principle.

[16]Shaolin monk Wang Bo, who began

training at Chinas revered Shaolin Temple when he was just 8
years old, is the featured instructor in a new online kung fu
course from Black Belt magazine. Titled Tree of Shaolin, it
streams video to your smartphone, tablet or computer whenever
and wherever you like. Sign up here and start your journey
along the 1,500-year-old Shaolin path! [17]
Head, body and foot rhythm have always been a major
weakness for martial arts practitioners. This rhythm principle
(usually called movement) is used in all tactics. Its the most
important attribute of any strategy, both defensively and
offensively. The two principles that are most useful in combat
are distancing and controlling the set-point. Each requires the
effective use of movement. Movement skills are the best way to
control an opponent to take away his best technique or
challenge his will to fight. Bruce and I used to study the
movement skills of Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson and, of
course, Muhammad Ali.
 [18]
Photo by Peter Lueders
LEO FONG
First-Generation Bruce Lee Student
Black Belt Hall of Famer
Author of Beyond Kung Fu [19]
The most important principle is one that goes with the jab:
progressive indirect attack. I used it to deceive my opponents. I
never jabbed straight in; rather, I would shift slightly to the left
or right before snapping out the straight front-hand lead. In other
words, I would strike at an angle. Using this principle, I
developed an entire repertoire of deceptive moves.

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Learn the best fighting techniques, combinations and strategies
on your tablet or smartphone. More info here! [21]
The most important concept is using no way as way. When Lee
shared this with us back in the mid-1960s, I didnt quite
understand what he was talking about. Today, I see it as
meaning that once the technique is mastered, there are no
boundaries or deliberation. Its much like the relationship
between a sound and an echo. In the elementary stage, you just
do the technique and remain conscious of every detail. As you
practice the technique over and over, it finds depth and becomes
an expression and an emotional response to what is. Youre no
longer self-conscious about whether youre doing the technique
correctly. You become the technique, so to speak.
 [22]
Photo by Robert Reiff
WILLIAM CHEUNG [23]
Wing Chun [24] Master
Training Partner of Bruce Lee While in Hong Kong
Black Belt Hall of Famer
If I were to teach only one thing, it would be the wing
chun vertical punch. The fundamental prerequisites in combat
are keeping calm, using the eyes effectively, and achieving
static and dynamic balance.
Why the vertical punch instead of the horizontal punch? The
horizontal punch has only the elbow behind it. That doesnt
generate much power unless the whole arm is fully extended or
you use your momentum by pushing your shoulder forward and
putting your body behind it. Even then, if your opponent steps
away or deflects your arm, youll be off-balance.

[25]Silat for the Street is the title of a

new online course from Black Belt Hall of Famer Burton
Richardson and Black Belt magazine. Now you can learn the
most functional silat techniques whenever and wherever you
want on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Get more info
here![26]
Before wing chun was developed, all punches were horizontal
and the elbow was never fully extended to avoid jarring the
elbow. While wing chun was being created, the first technique
developed was the vertical punch. Its more powerful because
the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and stance are behind it all the
way. When the elbow is at the centerline of the body, the
distance the punch must travel is only one-third the distance the
horizontal punch travels. Furthermore, the vertical punch
doesnt require any preparation. The wing chun vertical punch is
just like jeet kune do simple, effective and dynamic.
 [27]
Photo by Robert Reiff
BURTON RICHARDSON
Jeet Kune Do and Silat [28] Instructor
Founder of Jeet Kune Do Unlimited [29]
Black Belt Hall of Famer
Star of Burton Richardsons Silat for the Street Online
Course [30]
An important reason for the emphasis on sparring [in self-
defense training] is that it gives empirical feedback that helps
the student follow one of Bruce Lees most famous quotes:
Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is
specifically your own.
To know what is useful and what isnt, you must test each
technique yourself. JKD is a personal experience, which means
that you must experience combat (hard sparring). Just copying
techniques from an instructor and doing light drills wont create
a fighting experience. If you merely look at a technique from
afar or test ideas against cooperative partners, you arent
conducting a scientific test.

[31]Kelly McCanns Combatives Self-

Defense Course, a cutting-edge remote-learning program from
Black Belt magazine, will help you fine-tune your street-defense
skills using your laptop, tablet or smartphone! Start adding these
street-proven techniques, designed to help you defend against
empty-hand and armed attacks, to your defensive arsenal
now. [32]
You must test your techniques and tactics under conditions that
are similar to the combat environment. Since its unethical and
unadvisable to purposefully get into street fights, sparring in all
the ranges becomes the best means to develop complete,
functional fighting skill. If you dont believe me, consider Lees
own words: There is nothing better than free-style sparring in
the practice of any combative art.