What is Jeet Kune Do? One Instructor Shares His First Experiences
April 23, 2008
Jeet Kune Do is a philosophy and training methodology that was founded by the late Bruce Lee. The literal translation of the term Jeet Kune Do is, “Way of the Intercepting Fist”. Jeet Kune Do instructors are influenced by many functional arts including, but not limited to Thaiboxing, Kali/Escrima, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wing Chun, Western Boxing and more.
After training in traditional martial arts for several years, my work relocated me to California. I had heard a lot about this “JKD” stuff and decided to investigate. After a little research, I discovered there was a school located just around the corner from my apartment.
The school’s instructor was the late great Ted Lucaylucay. The year was 1982 and I will never forget my first day at class. The students were all dressed in t-shirts and shorts! This was unheard of during this time period.
I located the instructor and for a moment, thought perhaps I had made a huge mistake. His appearance was that of someone with long hair covered by a bandana, a goatee, red suspenders and red tennis shoes! Of course after 5 minutes of conversation, I knew I had discovered a gold mine.
The instructor gave me a quick explanation of the four ranges of combat, including kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling (known as MMA today). I was then invited to stay for the sparring class, but had another commitment.
The next evening, I attended the street kickboxing class and was again “enlightened”. During the sparring segment of our class, I was paired up with a young male about my size and age. I performed a couple of good roundhouse kicks, and then on my third attempt, was swept off my feet and placed not so gently on my backside.
While I was trying to kick my next partner in the head, he began to kick my legs with Thaiboxing techniques. Pain is the only way I can describe this encounter.
Now afraid to kick, I decided to try and punch more. My final sparring partner parried my punches and shot a good low single leg takedown administering more pain, by way of leg lock. I had never even seen a leg lock, much less know to defend against one.
I believe in just one training session, I observed one of the most important tenets in JKD, that being “using no way as the way”. All of my sparring partners were able use different methods, but still achieve their goal. Needless to say, I joined the school that night and have never looked back.
I was a young blackbelt at this time and had fought in many tournaments, but the reality was, I had little training for practical fighting. I believe the true beauty of Jeet Kune Do is that, the student is always encouraged to evaluate their training and be truthful with ones self. We must constantly research our training methods and continue to improve.
My senior instructor Mr. Dan Inosanto, who has always encouraged us to research and improve our training, started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training while in his late fifty’s!
Every JKD school will be slightly different, depending on the instructor’s background. Some will emphasize grappling more, while another may prefer more boxing, but all should address practical, functional training methods. Most schools will provide you with any necessary equipment needed. Also most JKD schools will have music playing and everyone should be having fun. Yes fun. If it is fun, you will always continue to train!
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About the author: Mike Keller teaches Jeet Kune Do and MMA in Sweetwater, Texas. He has blackbelts in several martial arts and has been certified in JKD Concepts by Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell and Ted Lucaylucay.
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JKD Has helped me understand that ,The art caters to everyone no matter what body size big or small. Thanks Mr Keller for your controbutions to the art.