Jeet Kune Do (截拳道 in pinyin: jie2 quan2 dao4; in Jyutping: zit6 kyun4 dou3; literal meaning: "Way of the Intercepting Fist"), also Jeet Kun Do or JKD, is the martial art developed by Bruce Lee.
This eclectic system combines tactics from many other martial arts, combining the effective blocks and short-range punches of Wing Chun, the kicks of northern Kung Fu styles, and the techniques of western boxing, among others.
However, JKD does not only combine styles, it also simplifies them. For example, Bruce Lee used the right hand stance of Wing Chun in JKD and discarded the left hand and center stances.
Lee emphasized the actual combat effectiveness of JKD, as opposed to memorization of "kata" forms in more traditional styles. A JKD practitioner must remain fluid, ready to deal with whatever unexpected occurrence happens next. While practicing western wrestling moves, Lee was once pinned by a skillful opponent, who asked what Lee would do if he actually found himself in this situation. Lee replied, "Well, I'd bite you, of course."
Along with the combat effectiveness was an emphasis on the "formlessness" of JKD. In essence, a true fighter is one without a "form" to tie them down. Lee's ultimate goal in JKD was to break down the barriers between styles, and seek a true fighting art, which he believed could only be found in the event of a fight.
In a sense, JKD is not a fighting style so much as a fighting philosophy. An apt statement is that "JKD is the link between Fight Club and Martial Arts." What many people describe as the weakness of traditional martial arts is its rote memorization. They argue, with a very good point, that these memorized movements will not be of help in an actual street fight. JKD does not make one a good fighter. It makes one a BETTER fighter. Applying JKD thought processes to a martial arts style may help to make use of the style seamless and effective in an actual combat situation.
Since Bruce Lee's death, JKD has split into two major branches:
- The Original/Jun Fan JKD branch, whose main proponents are Taky Kimura, Ted Wong, Tim Tackett and Lamar Davis II, teaches only what Bruce Lee taught, and leaves individual development of the art beyond this framework to the individual student;
- The JKD Concepts branch, whose main proponents are Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Paul Vunak and Burton Richardson, have continued to develop JKD, under the philosophy that it was never meant to be a static art but an ongoing evolution. This branch has incorporated elements of Kali, silat, Gracie jiu-jitsu, and elements from many other martial arts into the main fold of its teachings.
