Prior to training in person with a Jeet Kune Do (JKD) instructor I tried several different online resources. Online resources include YouTube videos and pay websites. Here is my experience with online training.
The Case for Online Training
Online training can be helpful. It provides an easy way to see different training approaches. They allow the student to pause or slow down the video. It can give you a basic idea of what JKD is and if it is something you want to study. They are an important supplement to in person instruction and allows the student to explore different techniques. Sometimes they are the only way to learn JKD because there is no local instructor. If you try online training you should definitely use a training parter to practice and spar the techniques. Another suggestion is to record your training sessions for later review.
The Case against Online Training
Online training can never replace in person instruction. Although you can copy the moves from a video you don’t get immediate corrections of an in person instructor. An in person instructor not only demonstrates a technique but gives you instant feedback and correction to make sure you do not learn bad habits. An in person instructor can also individualize your training to help you develop your own Jeet Kune Do. They can help identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide you with individual drills to improve.
Different Types
That being said let’s explore some of the available online Jeet Kune Do resources. This list is not exhaustive but includes some that I have had experience with.
Dan Lok and Octavio Quintero
One of my favorite online JKD resources is the YouTube channel of Dan Lok featuring Sifu Octavio Quintero. Dan Lok is a business owner who has a passion for JKD and martial arts. Octavio Quintero’s is very knowledge and shows impressive speed. There is a wide variety of professional videos on topics such as stances, footwork, straight lead, backfist, corkscrew punch, shovel hook, straight blast, hook punch, jabs, finger jab, and elbow strikes. Videos break down the groin kick, front kick, Hook kick, side kick, and inverted hook kick. There are videos on trapping, fighting strategy, self defense, Wing Chun, and workouts. They also discusses the philosophy of JKD and fighting strategy. The videos are professional produced and broken into bit size chunks and includes students practicing the technique. The videos are free on YouTube and are a great place to start. I would love to attend a seminar by Quintero.
Tommy Carruthers
Tommy Carruthers is a Scottish JKD instructor located in Glasgow that has an online club. He has over 300 lessons with a new one becoming available every 3 to 4 days. This site is very comprehensive and topics include stances, footwork, the straight lead, slipping, blocking, leg obstructions, workouts, and philosophy on when to fight. He charges £30 per month and he also sells resistance bands and focus mitts. I’m impressed with his speed and knowledge although I sometimes struggle understanding his Scottish accent. He will mail you a certificate of completion when you complete one of his courses. You can also email him specific questions and he will respond. He comes off as someone who is very serious about his martial arts and I would love to attend one of his seminars as well.
World Jeet Kune Do Federation
World Jeet Kune Do Federation is an online school located in Tulsa, OK run by Carter Hargrave. It’s billed as being the “Official Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do Instructors Schools,” but I’m not really sure what their “official” claim is based on. It does not appear to be endorsed by the Bruce Lee Family company. This site provides online JKD videos broken into 12 levels. Each level costs approximately $25.00. For an additional fee you can send in a test video and have them graded and if pass will receive an “Official” JKD Certificate. The videos break down JKD into a progressive curriculum with drills, kicks, punches, chokes, footwork, and counters. I like how the videos show the technique using a training partner and with different angles. Some of the links of the website do not work. The online store includes instructional DVDs and a manual.
Chinatown JKD
Another online resources is Chinatown JKD. This was inspired by first generation students Bob Bremer and Jim Sewell who attended one of Bruce Lee’s original schools in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Bob Bremer was a Senior 2nd rank and Jim Sewell had a 1st rank certificate. Many JKD students have high ranked this site and it is very professional looking. It includes lesson, ranking, and evaluation. There are four student levels, three trainer ranks, and four instructor ranks. The student level evaluations can be down online but all senior rank evaluations must be done in person. They have an online store that sells t-shirts and hoodies. Lessons can be streamed or purchased on DVDs. There are several sample modules you can watch before you decide to join. The level 1 curriculum costs $99. I have tried the sample lessons and found them very detailed although a bit intimidating for a beginner student. Looks to be a good resource after you have a base in JKD.
Final Analysis
These are just the online JKD resources that I have tried. A quick web search will reveal many more. Are there any online JKD resources that you use? What do you think are the best? Put some ideas in the comments below.
Resources:
Tommy Carruthers, instructor of Original Jeet Kune Do
Official Chinatown JKD Association, Preserving the Original Teaching, Advancing the Art.
Dan Lok featuring Octavio Quintero Youtube Channel.
The Art of JKD, Ocatvio Quintero’s website.
World Jeet Kune Do Federation, Official Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do Instructors Schools, Techniques Training, Streaming JKD Video Online Learning Black Belt Certification Program.
Youtube photo by Szabó Viktor on Pexels.com.
AI Narration provided by elevenlabs.io. Bruce Lee quotes read by AI voice over.
Leave a Reply