Opinions from JKD men

[Ryu (non-working password]

Hi everyone,
Haven't posted in a while.

As many of you know, I recieved a PFS phase 1 instructorship from Paul Vunak almost 3 years ago. I haven't trained with him in a long time, and my instructorship, I'm sure, is no longer valid. That's okay with me because I don't want to teach anyone anyway. What I have been doing is trying to develop myself in my martial art. Most of my stuff has been geared towards grappling, and much of my HKE's are from the mount, after a suplex or takedown. I only straightblast these days to get a clinch, and I almost use the concepts of Voo's RAT system, but in my own personal way on the ground. Quick slam, HKE's from mount or knee on stomach, or even crossbody, and escape so I don't have to fight on the ground for an hour...
When it comes to multiple opponents, etc. Well I try my best at zoning, and such, but usually am geared to using some kind of weapon (knife, etc) in order to get myself away and escape.

So my question is. I guess I cannot call myself a JKD practitioner or can I? My stuff doesn't look like Voo's anymore, but is my personal experiences and things...so I guess that's in line with JKD philosophy.
I train NHB style fighting, but I don't fight in cages, and I train BJJ and judo, but I don't feel like I "belong" to those groups really either...LOL what the heck am I?

I guess the real question is how much controversy would it cause to gear JKD more towards groundfighting?

Thanks
Ryu

[Ronin]

Ryu:

Where the hell have you been?!

And what's an "HKE" ?

[Kevin]

>So my question is. I guess I cannot call myself a JKD practitioner or can I? My stuff doesn't look like Voo's anymore, but is my personal experiences and things...so I guess that's in line with JKD philosophy.
I train NHB style fighting, but I don't fight in cages, and I train BJJ and judo, but I don't feel like I "belong" to those groups really either...LOL what the heck am I?

I've trained JKD Concepts for a number of years.... but don't feel comfortable with using that name since I don't currently train JKDC as I was taught.

Catch all phrase = Mixed Martial Arts

I say I train MMA with a background in JKDC, Kali, TaihoJitsu, TKD....

Works for me

~Kev

[Groin Grab]

I think that it's fine if you want to call what you do JKD. I just tell people I do a hybrid form of street fighting or reality based combat because most of the normal people I know don't know what JKD or JKD concepts or any of that crap means any way.

[Harley]

Where are you? your on the right track! that's where you are.
God i hate to quote because it's so over done but here goes.... my jkd is not your jkd.
Does Vu's jkd look like Guro Dan's? certainly not! did Vu change it to make it better, no, worse? no. what he did was take what Guro Dan gave him and develop what worked for him. Now you have done the same thing with what Vu gave you. not better or worse just yours. Now the only thing you can do wrong is force you students to do only what works for you. other than that you are on the right track. As far as what to call yourself, well that's up to you, i personally still consider you a jkd guy, even if you do submission grappling for a living. take eric paulson, he's a pro grappler, but first and foremost a jkd guy. jkd is more than tech. also, why would you not continue to train jkd with legitimate instructors? i would suggest that there is still plenty for a phase one instructor to learn from the many qualifed instructors out there, perhaps people who can continue to guide you and help you on your own path without limiting you.
just my thought on the matter, hope it helped
harley

[LaCoste]

Ryu,

"Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can can assume all forms and since Jeet Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all the styles."

"The man who is really serious, with the urge to find out what truth is, has no style at all. He lives only in what is."

"You want to understand the truth in martial arts, to see any opponent clearly, you must throw away the notion of styles or schools, prejudices, likes and dislikes, and so forth. Then, your mind will cease all conflict and come to rest. In this silence, you will see totally and freshly."

"To become different from what we are, we must have some awareness of what we are."

"It's only a name...don't fuss over it."

- Bruce Lee


Regards,
LaCoste

[Ryu (non-working password]

Ronin,
I have been busy with college, friends, girls, and grappling so I've not been around Mousel's that much (plus I said I'd be posting less anyway ) Sorry I haven't emailed you in a while. I'll be sure to do that.
HKE stands for Headbutts, Knees, and Elbows.

Everyone,
Thank you for your replies. Harley especially, I really appreciated your response. I definately still want to train with legitimate JKD guys! The only problem is the money issue For right now I can only afford a good judo school, and struggled with money when I was attending a Machado school for about a year. But when I get my money up again, I'll definately be going back to train with Paul, and hopefully Guru Dan as well.
Right now, I've been focusing on my grappling for about 3 years, because at that time I felt my grappling was kind of weaker than it should have been. Now I'm feeling much better about it. Thanks again for your response.
LaCoste,
Also thanks for your post too. I guess I was a bit worried about the whole "controversy" and politics surrounding JKD, but I guess you guys seem to agree that there shouldn't be.

Thanks again,

Ryu

[phillyman]

Ryu

Can you tell me the requirements for Phase one. What did you do or have to learn and how long did it take. Did you have to spar a certain amount of times.

[Ryu (non-working password]

phillyman,
I had worked with PFS guys before like Thom Cruse, and had attended some privates, and seminars.

To be perfectly honest, Paul gave me the rank the first time I went to his home for one of his IPTP trainings.
I already had lots of experience beforehand, and sparred with three different guys I think in grappling, punching ranges, and weapons. Everything was pretty much full contact, except the headbutting and stuff...that was simulated.
Um...I went through his RAT program, drilled different kinds of hubud drills, etc so he could see my body mechanics, and sparred full contact with stick and knife (wooden knife) I also grappled for a hell of a long time, and even though my grappling wasn't that wonderful back then, I still knew enough to keep myself rolling.

The funny thing was, I didn't know what a Phase 1 was. I was hoping for an "apprentice" instructorship, and Paul said after our training "You're a Phase 1, not an apprentice..."
LOL!! I actually thought phase 1 was below apprentice, and kind of swallowed my pride, and said "well at least I was able to get that, it's an honor" or something like that...and Paul looked at me and said "Huh?? No Phase 1 is higher!"

Really funny moment.

But like I said, it's been years, so it's not a valid instructorship now, I'm sure. I in no way claim to be an instructor in PFS.

hope this helped.

Take care,
Ryu

[Demi Barbito]

Don't sweat it

You are absolutly an instructor, a JKD guy etc... That can "never" be removed from you. Even in the event of a nuclear war!

Do your own thing. Don't intentionall hurt or insult people and you will always be in the right for yourself and often for others.

[Ryu (non-working password]

Mr. Barbito,
Thank you, I really appreciate that

Ryu

[Twisted up]

to Ryu

Ryu:


You ARE a JKD man!! No one else can give that title to you anyway because it doesn't BELONG to them.

JKD isn't something that one can own! If I don't own it, how can I "give" you a title within it?

JKD "just is". It's something that is an ideal, a philosophy that governs our training--to make sure we are on that right path.

And you my friend, are on the right path.


John