Hello Everyone!

I recently made a post on another forum regarding the different approaches to training in Jeet Kune Do. I thought I would share these definitions (along with some additions for even better clarity) to clear up any misunderstandings that you may have.

Wing Chun Gung Fu - This is the art that Bruce Lee studied in Hong Kong from age thirteen to age eighteen. It is a very efficient means of combat, and emphasizes no wasted motion in attack or defense. Many important elements of Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do come directly from the Wing Chun system.

Jun Fan Gung Fu - The art that Bruce Lee taught in Seattle and Oakland, which was heavily influenced by Wing Chun Gung Fu. It means basically Bruce Lee's Gung Fu.

Jeet Kune Do - In Cantonese means "the way of the intercepting fist." This is the art that Jun Fan Gung Fu evolved into. In a letter that Bruce Lee wrote, he explained that Jeet Kune Do consists primarily of Wing Chun, boxing and fencing, and that this method was "it".

Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do - The term trademarked by Concord Moon meaning Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do ... used to define Bruce Lee's collective life work in the field of martial arts for the purposes of the BLEF. This term is not to be used by anyone without the express permission from Concord Moon.

Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do - A term meaning Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do used by instructors and practioners to separate Bruce Lee's earlier methods from his later methods, and express that they teach/train in both methods. This is the approach closest to what we do.

Jeet Kune Do Concepts - A process where Bruce Lee's art, or principles from Bruce Lee's art, are used as a base to experiment with any martial arts method. Examples of JKD concepts arts would be Filipino kali, Indonesiam penjak silat, muay Thai kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. Dan Inosanto is credited with starting the JKD concepts approach to training.

Hardcore Jeet Kune Do - This is my unique approach to training in Bruce Lee's fighting methods. It includes Wing Chun Gung Fu, Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do. It is my effort to see that Bruce Lee's art is preserved, and that the roots of the system are also preserved. Too many people these days have a very incomplete understanding of what Bruce Lee's art is all about. It is my belief that you need ALL of the elements to really understand and apply the art.

I hope this helps clear up any doubts or misunderstandings as to the various factions of Jeet Kune Do. Please feel free to post any questions that you may have.

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Kwoon (205) 274-9011

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"What is Jeet Kune Do (JKD)? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with the distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, an art that is liberated from tradition." __Bruce Lee

Hello Sifu,
Great email/post regarding the different factions of JKD.

I didn’t really understand the difference between Hardcore JKD and Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do.
Could you please clarify a little more?

Thanks,
Stephen

Hello Stephen!

The difference is that I place more emphasis on the Wing Chun part of the training. In other words, whereas Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do practitioners normally just train in the curriculums from Seattle, Oakland and L.A. Chinatown, I place a lot of emphasis on the Wing Chun that Bruce Lee learned in Hong Kong. To me, that is one of the most, if not THE MOST, important areas of training for someone who truly wants to preserve what Bruce Lee was doing! I hope that clears it up for you!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Kwoon (205) 274-9011

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"What is Jeet Kune Do (JKD)? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with the distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, an art that is liberated from tradition." __Bruce Lee

Hello Sifu,
Can you give me some examples of Wing Chun techniques (that you teach) that aren't considered part of Seattle Jun Fan Gung Fu curriculum?

I ask this because I always thought that Bruce taught Wing Chun in Seattle calling it Jun Fan Gung Fu. You don't teach Chum kil, Bil Jee, Mook Yan Jong, or the weapons forms and neither did Bruce. So where's the difference?

Thanks,
Stephen

Hello Stephen!

It's not that I teach anything that Bruce Lee didn't teach, but that I place MORE emphasis on the Wing Chun Gung Fu aspect of the training than most Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do instructors/practitioners do! We may practice chi sao more. We probably train rotation striking more (chung chuie and bil jee). We place more value on mook jong training. We probably emphasize hand immobilization more, going a bit deeper into the trapping hands and possible compound traps. In other words, unlike some of today's JKD groups, I feel that the Wing Chun is the MOST important art in the development of Jeet Kune Do, therefore, it should be isolated and trained as such! I hope that clears this up for you!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Kwoon (205) 274-9011

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"What is Jeet Kune Do (JKD)? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with the distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, an art that is liberated from tradition." __Bruce Lee