Ah, strikers and grapplers. They always seem to be at each others throats, don't they. Grapplers think striking is not efficient since the believe all fights go to the ground. And strikers are usually claiming that grappling sucks due to the fact that no one it getting pounded. But these issues need to be looked at from a logical, scientific standpoint. If we are looking a self-defense and fighting as a whole then it is necessary to realize that both are needed in order to have a rational scientific method. As Bruce Lee said JKD is not interested in the decorative branches that most martial arts seem to offer these days, but the ROOT. And what is the root, or better yet the purpose, of martial arts..............keeping you and your loved ones SAFE. "Safety First" should be the governing principle of all techniques and strategies that a rational martial artist uses.

Now there is nothing wrong with grappling since it should be taught in order to achieve totality and not partiality. The problem here is not grappling itself: it is the techniques you decide to use. Most of the grappling techniques being taught seem to put you in more danger than necessary. Take a look at the "triangle choke" that has become so popular in today combat sporting events. The guy applying the choke is usually on his back with his legs wrapped around his opponent's neck, similar to the way a side strangle is applied. In the ring or cage that may be ok, but on the street this isn't gonna cut it!! The first thing is trying to actually apply this technique. The groin is wide open for grabbing and if your opponent thinks about it he may very well try to bite you. Surely one can find a better way to subdue a threat than by leaving your balls open for the taking and in todays world of diseases and bite could be deadly (AIDS) Furthermore, one cannot easily disengage should your attacker have buddies that may want to help. I know this may offend some of the BJJ people out there but there is simply no way around this truth. Also , at this particular range should you make a mistake you may pay dearly for it since the closer you are to your opponent to danger you are potentially in, hence JKDs emphasis on the fighting measure and interception. So yes one should use grappling but only if it will enhance your position and not sacrifice the end game..... SAFTEY.


As far as striking is concerned most martial arts striking techniques are more hindering than they are helpful. They are too telegraphic and take up too much time and energy. Not only this, they are usually thrown from an improper range. The Thai round kick is a good example. Sure it is fast and powerful but it is thrown with the rear leg and is usually thrown as a lead-off technique while TOO CLOSE to the opponent making it so easy to counter with either a leading or rear hand strike. I know because i've seen it time and time again on a professional level. There is a counter to every technique, I know, but to use one that may put you in more danger than you need is not only invalid scientifically but just plain stupid. JKD doesn't have a lot of punches and kicks but the ones we use offer you cover while attacking. You are literally defending your attack!!

In the end one should be very careful of the techniques that you use in street combat, because it could be a matter of life or death. Remember there is always a best way to get from point A to point B and there is a best way to use the human body and mind for logical hand-to_hand combat. As the late Bruce Lee stated "Unless there are human beings with three arms and four legs or are structurally different from us then there can be different form of fighting. We have two arms and two legs. The question is how can we use them to the maximum?" And remember we are training for only one purpose.......SAFTEY.

Just wanted to clarify. Grappling is efficient when the user knows when to apply it.

Just like striking if you have absolutely no energy sensitivity, it will be much more difficult.

I believe it is all how it is taught.

For example, when I did Judo (at the Mcdojo) my teacher never explained the why and how of the sweeps and throws.

However, when I started chi sao, I swept my Sifu/Friend Dick (who outweighs me 50 pounds) with ease, because I knew where his body was at (energy).

Same with the arm bars (albeit I prefer doing them standing) I can hold on to one while standing and they are not that hard to apply (as they used to be.)

Example, lets say someone threw the right cross, you just so happened (without thinking) bil saoed his arm and halfway through the lop sau you place your palm on his elbow into an arm bar and your opponent went into the ground.

Kent did this move on me, Dick did this move on me, Heck I did it to some people too. IT just happens.

I believe it just depends on the when and where and not the usual "Well Kids when he is right here grab his GI and move your foot here and Wrap him here yadda yadda." or in case of striking "Well kids when he throws a right, you go here with the left yadda yadda."

Like Sifu Davis said, the chi sao is the CORE. NOW YOU KNOW WHEN TO USE WHAT. Not some hypothetical what if crap.

In all seriousness, I don't consider my self a grappler but I found myself doing arm bars and sweeps naturally.

Now I know longer consider myself a striker because I CAN use Grappling.

I was going to consider myself a TRAPPER (you like that word:) but sometimes I just tend to intercept.

I was going to call myself the Intercepter but I still have a ways to go.

But I will say, I do feel comfortable calling myself a JKD man, Not just Any JKD MAN, but a SIFU DAVIS inspired JKD man, and maybe an official one in due time.

My point is that it is all interwoven. You just have to have Chi Sao to understand.

I know there is grappling in JKD. I have all of Sifu Davis' dvds, except for the newest seminar dvds. What I simply was saying is be CAREFUL of the specific grappling and striking manuvers you use. I've seen and researched some of the many techniques, strategies, and methodologies that todays martial arts offer. And as fantastic as they look all have the same flaw: they lack the scientific and total approach to combat that Bruce Lee's JKD has. Everything in JKD is scientificially intergrated without contradiction, which means the techniques and strategies (including chi-sao) it incorporates lead you to the ultimate purpose for martial arts: gaining saftey. I'll say it again: "Any technique or strategy that puts you in more danger than necessary in crazy and should be rejected."