In David Chengs book ‘Jeet Kune Do Basics’ there is a couple of very light hearted jokes in the introduction relating to the wide disagreement about the nature of teaching JKD.
My own thoughts and opinion is that you can spend years studying the roots of JKD and still be no closer to the truth, I prefer to pick the fruits of JKD, after all the maxim “Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is specifically your own” characterizes the “research” and “experimental” aspects of my interpretation of Jeet Kune Do, that I now call ‘Functional JKD’ following the true formula that is all together Simple – Direct and Non Classical, these are the three cornerstones of what I was taught in JKD by the late Sifu Martin Sterling. (1962 - 2008)
Simple – Keeping it simple allows us to apply a technique in the most effective manner. If it takes three moves to defend against an attack, the JKD response would be ‘Can I defend it in two moves, or even one move?’
Direct – A technique can be simple but still not direct. A block, then a parry or punch are very simple, however a more effective way would be to intercept your attacker strike with one of your own strikes.
Non Classical – This relates to the idea of being direct in JKD. If someone grabs you there is no special secret move or pattern, best to react before the grab, with plenty of speed aggression and surprise.
Steve Drake
Certified World Jeet Kune Do Federation Instructor
http://www.jkdinstructors.com
