Background
Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is Bruce Lee’s personal expression of Martial Arts. It is a Chinese Martial Arts mixed with boxing and fencing. It rejects formality and emphasizes fluidly reacting to the opponent in the moment. According to Lee a person should individualize their JKD and, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”
“What is Jeet Kune Do? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, and an art that is liberated from tradition…It is ridiculous to pin down so-and-so’s type of Gang Fu as ‘Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do.’ I call it Jeet Kune Do just because I want to emphasize the notion of deciding at the right moment in order to stop the enemy at the gate. Really there is no rigid form in Jeet Kune Do. All that there is is this understanding: If the enemy is cool, stay cooler than him. If the enemy moves, move faster than him; be concerned with the ends, not the means; master your own manipulation of force, don’t be restricted by your form.” (Bruce Lee, 1972, Words, 126-128).
Curriculum
Here I have set down my interpretation of Lee’s JKD curriculum. This is only my interpretation and has been heavily influenced by the books Jeet Kune Do: A Comprehensive Guide to Bruce Lee’s Martial Way, John Little, Editor and Jeet Kune Do: The Arsenal of Self Expression, Teri Tom and the video Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method: Basic Training & Self-Defense Techniques. I have provided informative videos from the Dan Lok Youtube Channel featuring JKD instructor Octavio Quintero. This online curriculum allows you to become familiar with JKD but it is no subsitute for a qualified in person instructor.
General Considerations on Punches
Here are some general considerations on punching. The power of the punch is increased by the speed of it. The punch should be from the whole body and not just the arms. It includes the hips, shoulders, feet, and arms. The punch should come from the center of the body in a straight line in front of your nose. You should punch through your opponent or training bag.
- Straight Lead: One of Lee’s signature moves. He punches with a straight arm with the fist vertical instead of horizontal. This gives extra length to the punch and the straight arm gives additional power as it extends from the shoulder.
- Backfist: Often done using the lead hand. It is not the quickest or strongest but may be difficult to block. Perform with a whipping or snapping motion. This should be done in a non-telegraphed way. This may used with the drop shift to hit lower on the body.
- Corkscrew Hook: Your fist rotates counter clockwise to gain momentum as it strikes. The amount of rotation depends on how far you are away from your opponent. This may be used with the drop shift to hit lower on the body.
- Shovel Hook: Punch used liberally by Lee student Ted Wong. Keep the elbow close to the body and punch from lower to upper hitting into the opponent’s body. You can pivot your legs as you are punching. This may be used with the drop shift to hit lower on the body.
- Lead Hook: This is a hook punch that is done by keeping the arm as horizontal as possible.
- Rear Cross: This punch is from the rear hand and the arm is kept relatively straight from the body but the lower body pivots to curve the punch. It is slower than the front jab but may have more power. This may used with the drop shift to hit lower on the body.
- Straight Rear Punch: Also known as the Straight Rear Thrust. This punch is from the rear hand and the arm is kept relatively straight from the body. The punch is vertical. It is slower than the front jab but may have more power. This may used with the drop shift to hit lower on the body.
- Straight Blast: This is a quick series of straight punches rotating between left and right fists. The arms are kept straight.
- Uppercut horizontal Fist: A boxing inspired uppercut punch using a horizontal fist.
- Finger jab: A favorite of Lee used to temporarily incapacitate an oppoenent. Three of your fingers are kept together and aim for the eye. The longer finger should be bent to make it even with the shorter ones. It is the fastest attacking weapon. Can also be used as a finger flick to the eyes.
Health Information
This is for general informational purposes only. You should always consult a medical professional before engaging in any exercise program. Bruce Lee would have encouraged you to explore these training methods to see what works for you. Do not be afraid to modify this plan and adjust based on your own personal experience. “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.” Bruce Lee
Resources:
Dan Lok featuring Octavio Quintero Youtube Channel.
Words of the Dragon: Interviews, 1958-1973, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2017. Volume 1 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Interview transcripts of Bruce Lee on a variety of topics including philosophy, martial arts, and his personal life. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Jeet Kune Do: A Comprehensive Guide to Bruce Lee’s Martial Way, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2020. Volume 3 of the Bruce Lee Library. Excellent and detailed description of Bruce Lee’s martial art before he passed. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Jeet Kune Do: The Arsenal of Self Expression, Teri Tom, Author, Tuttle Publishing, 2009, 2016. In-depth guide to Jeet Kune Do including kicks, punches, and technique.
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method: Basic Training & Self-Defense Techniques, Ted Wong and Richard Bustillo. 1992. Instructional video by two students of Bruce Lee which covers the JKD stance, footwork, power punching, and self defense. 52 M (IMDB).
AI Narration provided by elevenlabs.io. Bruce Lee quotes read by AI.
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