Which of these issues do you think affects us the most throught the least? In what order whould you list their importance in how they affect us?

1. Shannon Lee, Ted Wong, and the Bruce Lee Estate/Concord Moon (lawyers, copyrights, etc)

2. The growing popularity of MMA and the public's perception of what a 'real' fight is supposed to look like

3. Phony Instructors giving the art a bad name and misleading previous students as to what we do


My personal thoughts are that 3 affects us the most and 1 the least, but I want to hear other's opinions on this as well.

-Jack Harris

Generally I would say that #1 affects us the most. whether your looking forward to what the BLF is doing or not we all seem to be waiting on them. We're self concious of what logo's we're using and how we use Bruce's name. And indirectly we are all waiting to see what kind of curriculum/instructor programs they put out.

Even the camps that don't really care and just try to train hard keep a watchful eye on the BLF.

As for #2... the public has always had an idea of what a fight should look like. And that out look has usually been different than JKD's perception of a fight.

As for #3... I think there are fewer phonies out there now than there was 20 years ago.

Most people will see through the phony, get your instant black belt or instructor certification with your purchase today crap. Much like the blf and the way it has, is and will be a money making scheme for we know who.

I do see the effect that mma has had on the mind set of younger people. They want to train in everything and get it all now. What they don't understand is that it does take time to "master" an art. Yes the ring is far different than the street and many people do not see it that way. I know a guy that boxed and he told me that his coach would always tell them to never assume the boxing stance when in a street/bar fight. Why? If up against some trained attacker they, tha attacker, will kick to the groin etc... Boxers are not trained for this. I heard some younger people say that they train mma; as if it a style unto itself. I see this trend growing as well.

Kent

for me 1. is contributing to the this vs that political debate
2.agrred that to many people believe that there is a quick way to become prolific at fighting by doing MMA
3. also agree that serious people seeking ma will see through the BS and avoid over night BB,instructorships, etc..

Aren't #1 and #3 just about the same thing? As far as #2 goes, I think a lot of people buy into what the Gracies say about the percentage of fights that go to the ground.

I think it's interesting how people will believe something about how fights go to the ground. It's funny that whenever you hear about the vast majority of fights going to the ground that it's always grapplers that say this.

In my personal opinion, I think number 2 really affects JKD because many more people are interested in training in MMA, they see it as being a complete fighter and be able to fight for real. I saw a clip about contestants on the Ultimate Fighter show, they were starting to fight in the backyard and you see how well the grappling works when there's no mats

Tom

Hi Jack!

Good post. I think #3 and #1 rank pretty close
and then #2. There are some good things to
learn from other arts, but I think Bruce Lee
probably did most of the ground work for us.

Take care and Merry Christmas!

Dick

Most fights do go to the ground. We in Hardcore JKD perfer to knock you to the ground. Now if a very pretty girl wants to grapple then I am all for it.

Kent

Dround work and Grappling is just a fad.. Its the fashion at the moment> I'm sure no one could grapple Bruce if were alive today he was to fast and explosive. Grappling is just an excuse for people who dont want the real deal. Grappling is great for competion but wont work for **** in the street..

Good training,

Jose..

I would list them:
1
3
2
I think that the BLF is putting a strangle hold on the world of JKD because
they want to control everything. Instuctors that don't know how to teach real JKD spread false JKD to the masses. It doesn't matter what MMA does because know matter what style you use, a street fight is always going to look like a street fight. It depends on the indiviual.

Hi Kent!

That's pretty good! I am going to have to
get up there more and keep an eye on you!
Ha!

That does make grappling sound better.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Dick

I would vote for #2, as I see a sign every other block here in Atlanta for mixed martial arts. I have to wonder how legit some of these people are and I have good success in sparring some of them. There are those that are the real deal, but lots of pretenders looking for a place to direct their innate aggression. So many lose the spirit of the arts and I think that is important.

Having visited a few of these places for a free class to see what it is about, I am not very uncomfortable with some of the appoaches to the fighting philosophy. A lot of these younger cats have a real problem with giving others their "propers" (respect) I personally prefer a place that is training leaders, who can also happen to fight, than a place that teaches fighters to fight.

Jeff
Atl

sorry for the typo