In response to a comment posted by Kevin about Bruce Lee carrying a low lead hand...

I trained with a guy http://www.basetac.com/Levi.htm back in 1990 that taught a sort of "Street Aikido".
(Later I realized it was basically JKD with an Aikido base).
When he sparred, he would gradually edge his lead foot toward you (without moving his head closer) and drop his lead low and closer as well.
Then he would lunge in and POP!
You had to have really good head movement to not get hit.

He was basically stealing a step and shortening the distance to the target without the opponent noticing.

The other use for the Low Lead is "Attack By Drawing".
You create an opening for the opponent.
Much easier for you to defend if you have a good idea of where the attack will be.

Southern Praying Mantis does this with their hand position.
There are two ready hand positions where the extended hands are pretty far apart (more than Shoulder width).
The Elbows are in...creates an opening straight down the middle that they are luring you into.

jmp

thanks for the info jmp. i was aware of the abd use. ive noticed in the "shao lama" class that i was in years ago that alot of people would try to grab or pak my lead hand so i started dropping it when sparring with them. then i would use the lead leg to disturb them and reach out and tap them on the forehead. sometimes i would feint with my lead shoulder and as they reacted my lead hand would shoot out past their attempt to parry.
for the most part though i keep my hands up when i spar. on the flip side of that because we dont stand around or walk around in the bai jong position all day i have tried training from "where it is". over the years i have also tried to train myself to hold my hands in front of me in such a way as to be able to react if ever attacked.

John,

The low lead is also an issue with distance from the fighting measure. If you are far enough away one can almost hold their hands anywhere. I have always found the closer an opponent is, the higher/appropriately aligned front lead must be.

Jim Riggio