Is JKD really worth it?

[ck5]

From what I have seen, yes. JKD is worth it. *In theory*.
In reality, I'm uncertain exactly what the value of an art is if the instructors are tight lipped about it. At least those in Colorado are. I have been hoping to find ONE instructor that isn't so weird over it.

The only one I found has since moved. The rest, I swear. JKD must be some kind of national security thing.

[bigboywasim]

MMA does not teach certain moves that can seriously injure someone and they also do not practice weapons which are all important in a street fight.

[Ben Grimm]

But MMA does teach other essential ingredients such as mental toughness. A real necessity in a street fight.

[Jujujason]

It's probably best to have a well-rounded athletic/sports/fitness background in addition to doing both tma and combat sports to some degree or another over the course of one's lifetime.

[Flaves]

Without really reading through what others have wrote I am going to answer this question.

First of all it is important to understand that JKD is actually a personal philosophical expression of Martial Arts developed by Bruce Lee. To create his style he pulled from many different arts including Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Wing Chun, Fencing and Savate. That being said, JKD is essentially the first Mixed Martial Art.

If Bruce Lee were alive today and still teaching his art, he would undoubtly adjust the methods and techniques to account for fighting styles of today.

Now, I believe that the essense of the question is how can JKD benefit you in MMA.

One of the man areas you can benefit from is the Savate Kickboxing and footwork. A lot of the MMA fighters I have seen tend to stalk, and not to many have great footwork. If you train in either Savate, or JKD, you can bring a new dimension to the rest of your MMA training.

Another area you can benefit from is the simutaneous attack/defense principle of Wing Chun. The concept of "If he moves he gets hit, if he doesn't move he gets hit." can really benefit fighters in competitions.

I hope that answers your question and you look to pursue some JKD (or more accurately some Jun Fan Gung Fu) training.

[g-bells]

Without really reading through what others have wrote I am going to answer this question.

First of all it is important to understand that JKD is actually a personal philosophical expression of Martial Arts developed by Bruce Lee. To create his style he pulled from many different arts including Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Wing Chun, Fencing and Savate. That being said, JKD is essentially the first Mixed Martial Art.

If Bruce Lee were alive today and still teaching his art, he would undoubtly adjust the methods and techniques to account for fighting styles of today.

Now, I believe that the essense of the question is how can JKD benefit you in MMA.

One of the man areas you can benefit from is the Savate Kickboxing and footwork. A lot of the MMA fighters I have seen tend to stalk, and not to many have great footwork. If you train in either Savate, or JKD, you can bring a new dimension to the rest of your MMA training.

Another area you can benefit from is the simutaneous attack/defense principle of Wing Chun. The concept of "If he moves he gets hit, if he doesn't move he gets hit." can really benefit fighters in competitions.

I hope that answers your question and you look to pursue some JKD (or more accurately some Jun Fan Gung Fu) training.

JKD is BL expression of his own art yes, but it is basically WC,Western Boxing andFencing!!

[Flaves]

yes JKD contains elements of all those arts and more. if you have not already done so i would recommend reading The Tao of Jeet Kune Do. the kickboxing comes from Muay Thai and Savate. The JKD grappling comes from Judo, Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. The hand range from Boxing. Trapping from Wing Chun. Footwork from Savate, Boxing and Fencing. It also contains elements of Aikido, Northern and Southern Chinese styles,

By the way another key JKD concept that can by applied to MMA is PIA (Progressive Indirect Attack). Adding that to your game will help your stand up tremendously.

[Tant01]

Tired of reading THIS>>>

..... That being said, JKD is essentially the first Mixed Martial Art.
.....

I'm (really) "good" with everything you put in your post EXCEPT this part.



Bruce had an ego. He wanted HIS kung-fu to be the very best! He went to HOLLYWOOD to show the world HIS style. He was a real bad ass to be sure and he deserves kudos for POPULARIZING martial arts in general. He was a Master, no doubt. But he was not the first... not by a long shot.

[Tant01]

By the way... I think it is "worth it" Whatever it is...

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to get a taste of june fan kung fu

[Ben Grimm]

The principles of JKD are worth it, if you can make them work for you.

[Clubber Lang]

For me personally, the most worth you can gain from the concept of JKD is that of personal expression. Research your own experiences and honestly express your own personal martial arts journey. In essence, just be your own man.

The irony is, most people in JKD are so caught up in hero worship and "this is what Bruce Lee would have wanted" or "I must copy everything Dan Inosanto does", and the message has been completely lost.

[Flaves]

The irony is, most people in JKD are so caught up in hero worship and "this is what Bruce Lee would have wanted" or "I must copy everything Dan Inosanto does", and the message has been completely lost.

I agree with that. A lot of people are. My personal Jeet Kune Do does not completely follow the Inosanto system. I have explored other systems/styles such as further study into Wing Chun, Krav Maga, Boxing and CSW. But you are right, many people strictly follow what is taught and don't seek out other sources of instructors, styles, etc.

Then of course there are the "Buy your JKD certification on Ebay" people, that have really diluted and devalued the art.

[Ben Grimm]

Yes, it's become more of a McStyle these days. Bruce would be rolling in his grave.

[TigerClaw]

Because it's based on using as the most direct,economical techinique to accomplish your goal. Yes it sounds simple but it takes years train your body and mind to just react properly in a given situation without hesitation.You must be willing to put in the time and effort.JKD is'nt a fancy thing and to some it may look plain but in the end it does'nt matter how it looks beacuse the fact is it does

While I agree that JKD is very effective if practiced hard. I cannot agree with the foundational premise,

You said,

"Because it's based on using as the most direct,economical techinique to accomplish your goal"

This principle seems to be directed against some traditional Kung Fu styles that some would think have alot of wasted movements and useless flowery technique. But sometimes the most direct, economical technique is not the best. There is a reason for many so called fancy circular and flowery techniques in Kung Fu. Take for example a side shifting in a snake style of fighting, and deflecting to attack from angles etc these are flowing circular techniques that may appear wasted to some, but they are not. Or for example, when we watch , lets say a MMA fight we don't see very much blocking, really we don't. I know some will say there is blocking, but I have watched and i see very little. It is more like both men lunge in hoping to connect before the other connects and see who gets hit first. But in kung fu blocking has very specific intentions. Blocking and circular techniques are not wasted movement if they are done right and they can set the opponent up for a fatal blow. They also control the opponent etc. Or some so called fancy stances and form type fighting might seem wasted to some, but if done right it is very effective.

But yet some may look at blocking often as wasted movement.

Just some thoughts

[Tant01]

Lets try again...

While I agree that JKD is very effective if practiced hard. I cannot agree with the foundational premise,

You said,

"Because it's based on using as the most direct,economical techinique to accomplish your goal"

This principle seems to be directed against some traditional Kung Fu styles that some would think have alot of wasted movements and useless flowery technique.

......lets say a MMA fight we don't see very much blocking, really we don't. I know some will say there is blocking, but I have watched and i see very little. .....

...Just some thoughts

I'm growing weary of the way your thoughts drift TC. There is a pattern to your posts that is beyond redundant.

You can make some feeble attempt at contributing to the thread without dragging it into the quagmire again.

Thank you.

"Ecenomy of motion" is one of the fundamental principles of JKD but it is not UNIQUE to JKD or WC. Other southern and northers styles of Kung fu also follow the same basic principles.