TTackett:Too old for JKD?

[brokenelbow]

I've been teaching JKD for around 30 years. From my experience not everyone can learn JKD, let alone teach it. To become an instructor one must be able to do it as well as teach it. When you get to be my age it gets harder and harder to do it. We need to have some of our young guys show it, as Bremer and I are no longer as physical as we were 20 years ago. But that's probably our fault as if Bruce was still alive he could do it, but he still said that he could only be sure of the fact that he would be the toughest 65 year old around.

Tim,
As someone who has cleared the 40 hurdle a few years back your post really caught my interest. What about JKD became harder as you got older?

[thtackett]

I guess the main thing I've lost is the ability to kick as well as I used to. It's also hard to stay in top shape as I always seem to pull a muscle. I kind of feel like I did when I was 40 and had the flu.

[brokenelbow]

Ever thought of JKD techniques for the over 50 set? I've already shifted my focus from the higher kicks to the less flashy ones.

[thtackett]

The problem is that to teach to defend against high kicks someone has to be able to do them.

[brokenelbow]

Good point, but how many high kicks will be used on the street? Most that I've come across are to the shins, groin or maybe a bit above the hips. Sparring and competition go against this of course. Outside of kicks is there anything else? I'm always surprised how recovery time just keeps getting longer.

PS, I've enjoyed your books and it's an honor to be able to correspond with you.

[thtackett]

I think that by working on the hammer principle my awareness has gotten better. I seem to be able to see my opponent/training partner's preparation better than I used to. When you're 63 your recovery time is a lot longer. On the bright side I don't seem to have lost whatever hand speed I had.
Tim

[brokenelbow]

What's the hammer principle Tim? Is it if you only have a hammer all your problems look like nails?

[Drew Howe]

What's the hammer principle Tim? Is it if you only have a hammer all your problems look like nails?

The following link is an explanation of the hammer principle that Tim wrote.
http://www.jkdwednite.com/whathaveyou.htm

[roz]

indeed it is, to have the honor of sharing the same board, mr.tackett.

[JKDBerlin]

Hi Tim

Nice to see you are always around

Greetings

[eXcessiveForce]

That was a very interesting article. We have done a similar exercise for about 5 years. Didn't know it already had a name. And here I thought I was being a Pioneer.

Dang that Bruce.