What is JKD?

[Groinstrike]

Agreed, JKD should be a mindset rather than a style. For something to be a style it has to have set techniques and perameters. Lee cared not for these things.

[brickshooter]

I think that JKD was designed to be a concept. It was intended to be Mix Martial Arts.

Techniques taught were supposed to only create a base to which practicioners would continuously add techniques from other styles depending on their individual needs.

I think Bruce even shut down his schools several times when he was frustrated that people tend to be a little stupid and sheepish, refusing to think for themselves.

[Lazy Scholar]

True refinement seeks simplicity

== Bruce Lee (at least, it's attributed to him)

accumulation leads to ornamentation.

accumulation is only half way cultivation.

(From the Tao of JKD)

Daily Decrease.

[Jay]

Its both a style and a mindset. The philosophy was essentially Bruce Lee's marketing tool to promote himself at a time where karate dominated. A lot of the stuff he talked about he actually plagiarised from others especially in the Tao, not so much in the newer commentaries book.

This has forever been an argument, but what I do know is that there were tools just like any other art. Punches, Kicks etc. He taught everyone differently.

For me I no longer care if what I do is JKD, I actually study more than JKD. Its the idea of what your doing rather than the name as such.

[Lazy Scholar]

Its both a style and a mindset. The philosophy was essentially Bruce Lee's marketing tool to promote himself at a time where karate dominated. A lot of the stuff he talked about he actually plagiarised from others especially in the Tao, not so much in the newer commentaries book.

This has forever been an argument, but what I do know is that there were tools just like any other art. Punches, Kicks etc. He taught everyone differently.

For me I no longer care if what I do is JKD, I actually study more than JKD. Its the idea of what your doing rather than the name as such.

Thank you! I don't know if you've done JKD yourself, at one point. But I'm taking on a similar mindset.

[Jay]

Its both a style and a mindset. The philosophy was essentially Bruce Lee's marketing tool to promote himself at a time where karate dominated. A lot of the stuff he talked about he actually plagiarised from others especially in the Tao, not so much in the newer commentaries book.

This has forever been an argument, but what I do know is that there were tools just like any other art. Punches, Kicks etc. He taught everyone differently.

For me I no longer care if what I do is JKD, I actually study more than JKD. Its the idea of what your doing rather than the name as such.

Thank you! I don't know if you've done JKD yourself, at one point. But I'm taking on a similar mindset.

I do indeed

[BladeSmartNY]

JKD has been so watered down by poor instructors that nobody here can even explain it.

JKD is Bruce Lee's derivation of Wing Chun trapping. He took specific techniques that could be combined with boxing to trap your opponent. The key principle is that you keep your opponent backing up with your attacks.

[Athena]

Every time someone calls JKD a style, Bruce turns over.

Indeed XD

To say that it is a style is to say that it has specific rules and forms that absolutely must be adhered to- but that's exactly what he was trying to be rid of.

[tsd1592]

The way of the intercepting fist. The name explanes its self. Also to many people argue about the style. When he said my style is no style. He wanted us to take what works for us and get rid of what does not. No set movement punches or kicks. He wanted us to find are own way.

[Jay]

The things is with JKD is that you can't define it as such. In order to understand where Bruce was coming from you need to look into Taoism, Zen and Krishnamurti. Most people approach it with a western mindset as in seeing things in black and white.