The below expressed opinions are purely the autors personal interpretations and not intended
to be authoritative or contradictory to existing official JKD thought.
Bruce Leez JKD
is not a new art or style. JKD is a concept based on the following principles.
Simplicity. Mechanically, the more parts a machine
has, the greater the chances of it breaking down. Accumulation of techniques only adds complications. Being simple in
nature, JKD believes in few tools practiced to the point in which they are extremely efficient.
Directness.
A line, being the shortest distance between two points, is the most logical path rather than a curved detour to reach the
final destination.
In being direct, no excess motion is exerted. For example, If an assailant
grabs your wrist, some forms of martial arts may teach you to stomp on their foot, lock the wrist, take them down to the ground,
and then finish them with a strike to the throat. The direct approach would be to strike them in the throat right in the beginning.
Effectivity. JKD believes in absorbing the
useful and rejecting the limitation. Only techniques which work are taken. For e.g. the sport rules of various fighting
are discarded and the foul techniques are imbibed. JKD uses any means necessary to accomplish this task. If grabbed
you may bite, scratch, or pull hair or whatever best fits the situation.
Non classical. Practitioners
do not wear uniforms, they do not practice forms, and they don't waste time with complicated techniques simply because of
tradition. Shoes are worn, and training with equipment is given a lot of importance.
Open mindedness. JKD is open to newer
ideas and concepts which work. It is a constantly evolving art.
Fluidity. JKD believes in flowing, there
is never an opposition to the forces and energies exerted by the opponent. All JKD techniques and responses are in accordance
with the ‘flow’. JKD does not rely on one specific technique or another to counter an opponent. You should
be able to adapt to the situation at hand. As an attack approaches, you adapt to it with the appropriate response.
The opponents attack becomes your attack, as you fit into the opening created.
Individual Uniqueness. JKD is unique for each individual. The techniques that work for a big burly man are not the same
as those which work for a small lean man. Each individual has to travel his journey to find something exclusively his own.
Adaptability Lee states that JKD
can "fit in with any style". This does not mean that JKD can be added to any style to make it more efficient, or vice
versa. What it probably does mean is that JKD can counter an adversary regardless of their style or system.
All inclusive, excludes nothing. JKD
is not limited to only punching, or only kicking. During training, comfort is to be developed in all ranges. It is fighting
with any ability you may have…..
'Using no way as the way, No limitation as the limitation'