My older brother is moving in with my girlfriend and I, he wants to learn some Jun Fan JKD from me. What are some of the things I should teach him, at first?
You have said you have studied in JKD under a instructor. And seminar with Ted Wong. Perhaps you should work with him on the begining tools you were showed.
Firstly explain the approach of JKD and how and why it is what it is.
YOu should then start by teaching him the SilLumTao form if you know it. If not then by pass that.
Start w/ the key fundementals proper footplacement, Bijong, lead hand, Jik Chung straight punch, biujee finger jab, step and slide, slide and step, pendulum step, simple movement. Boxing jabs, cross, hooks, uppercuts, then move into kicks, jeet tek, stop kicks, hook kick, front kicks...explain longest weapon to nearest target scenerio....then once you've played these areas....use things like economy of motion.....etc....then work on 5 ways of attack
That is strange I did not think JKD had a form. It is also strange that you would teach this first particularly after reading your previous posts (unless I got you mixed up with someone else, I am thinking you are the cop guy). You sounded like you were against they idea of preset outdated concepts like the silumtum or whatever it is called.
In answer to your question phases, I would teach the things that I felt important to learn. If your brother wants to learn exactly what steps BL made then he probably needs to go to a certified instructor. Otherwise just teach how to fight man. You do not have to make it formal. Show him how to punch, kick, grapple its that simple.
He asked how or what to teach in JKD. Although that I don't show any more interest in JKD I still have an extensive Back Ground in JKD. and as far as FORMS go, Bruce Lee practiced the Sil Lum Tao which is one of the Wing Chun forms.
other than that..I like your approach...just teach him how to kick, punch, bite, pinch, grapple...to hell with all the little minute stuff..get in there and battle with him. He'll either learn it or he wont. plain and simple...but if he's wanting OJKD I still go w the latter post of mine...
"Firstly explain the approach of JKD and how and why it is what it is."
That's what I have to do, explain to him where Jun Fan JKD came from, whats involved and how and why it works. I would like to teach my bro exactly what I learned; I don't want to confuse him with other style of martial arts. If he asks about other styles of martial arts later, then I will try my best to explain.
The first technique I will show him is the proper On-Guard position. I totally believe in perfect form, so I will show him the footwork & stance, for about 1 month... if he is patient enough and willing to learn more, then I will show him the Straight Lead Punch. I find, that a lot of people want to learn martial arts, but they think they can learn over night, so they learn 20 techniques and don't even practice, they just move on to the next "move" and acquire as much as possible, with out perfecting the technique.
So, for the first month (3 days a week), I'll teach him the On-Guard stance, footwork and explain to him the Idea's and theories behind the footwork and how it makes punches and kicks more effective.
In the second month, I'll introduce the Straight Lead Punch and Hook Kick.
If he gets past the 2nd month, then I'll think of more basic techniques, such as the Lead Jab, Rear Cross, Boxing Blast, Cork Screw Punch, Side Kick... Etc...
I figure, once (if) he knows all the JFJKD tools and theories, that I can teach, then I will point him in the direction of a qualified instructor. Hopefully my bro will return the favor and teach me, something new.
Anyways, if anyone has any more suggestions, keep them coming.
Damn Phases you gonna take a month before you show him a single punch? Wow dude. Kinda reminds me of the wing chun guy who had to wait 3 years before he could move on to kicks lol. None of the guys in his club could fight.
If it takes a month training 3 times a week to learn how to stand, I suspect your doing something wrong. Hell I learnt to stand well over 20 years ago now.
I can teach someone to punch in one lesson. They gonna spend the rest of their lives improving on it yes, but sh1t dude its not brain surgery.
You believe in perfect form, what does that mean? Every combat situation is different. Does this form of yours fit every situation? I doubt it, so why indoctrinate form into your brother? Have you asked yourself why you do not do forms or katas? It is because they are inflexible to real combat. In the same way a set stance is inflexible. I always feel frustrated when people do this, but I guess not everyone sees the way I see.
When Phases mentioned he wanted perfect form, interpreting that doesn't take rocket science either. When Phases mentienod he doesn't know any forms or Kata, interpreting that isn't brain surgery. And people wonder why they see sloppy boxing on TV nowadays.
Phases, why not start him out with the basic lead punch during that first month ? not right off the bat , but like in the 2nd or 3rd week? Just a suggestion.
This message has been edited by lssanjose on Jun 23, 2004 3:15 PM
"When Phases mentioned he wanted perfect form, interpreting that doesn't take rocket science either. When Phases mentienod he doesn't know any forms or Kata, interpreting that isn't brain surgery. "
You might want to explain your comments LS. It sounds like you are making certain assumptions here, but before I make any assumptions I thought I ask for some more detail on your concept of a perfect form.
Yea, maybe you guys are right, I should introduce the Lead Punch, sooner. I was taught the lead in my 2nd or 3rd class.
When I say perfect form, I mean, to have the feet in the proper position while in the stance, to have the rear hand up to chin level, lead arm in the right position for punches... you know, the basic stance and footwork. Here are some things that I will be watching for in his stance and footwork.
- I don't want him to drop his rear hand.
- stepping out too far with his lead leg while side stepping (any footwork), and not matching the distance with his rear leg.
- I'll probally have to remind him to cock that rear heel up.
- I'll remind him that he should be relaxed in his stance, yet ready to explode forward at any given moment.
- While push stepping (Any forward movement), the lead heel touches the ground first, then toes.
- "Stay light on your feet".
- Don't push up, in to the sky, like a kangaroo, push forward like a galloping horse.
These are just some of the things that popped into my head... this is what I mean by good form.
what would you coach someone to do? throw a pathetic jab or throw a perfect jab that wasn't detected, and rocked the lights of the opponents? it's all about shoring up the habit department. I've seen too many boxers neglect their fundamentals (at least the amateurs or supposed pros on TV). I've seen one boxing match where this guy with perfect punches, perfect use of footwork just destroy another opponent.
"You believe in perfect form, what does that mean? Every combat situation is different."
Read my post above, it might help you to understand. You're right, every combat situation is different, to a certain extent, but if you cant throw your body weight into a punch, in an instant, from any position, then your just slapping like a lil' girl that didn't get her toy from her happy meal.
"Does this form of yours fit every situation? I doubt it, so why indoctrinate form into your brother?"
I can throw a jab while sitting, standing, crouching, North, West, East, South angles, or with my eyes closed, I can make it snappy, I can use it to probe, I can use it to fake high-to go low, I can double up on the jab, I could circle right while jabbing, A jab could easily translate into a stabbing motion with a knife/stick/rolled up magazine, Stick your fingers out and jab your opponets eyes... I would say a simple punch could fit many situations. Once you have good form, and are able to throw your weight into your punches, your body understands how to get as much power and SPEED as possible into a certain technique. Man, have you done any training at all?
"Have you asked yourself why you do not do forms or katas? It is because they are inflexible to real combat. In the same way a set stance is inflexible."
I tried Kata's and Fist Forms, personally I don't enjoy them. The stances and Poses are outdated & unrealistic, it doesn't feel natural. Personally, I would rather spend my time Shadow Boxing, that's a real Kata. The thing you said about a set stance may be true, but it's a learning tool, for your body and mind. Again, once you learn how your body works, you know how to punch from any position at any time. I can do most techniques from a natural standing stance; I don't think I would have learned how, if I didn't learn the basic body mechanics that I learned from the Jun Fan JKD fighting position.
"I always feel frustrated when people do this, but I guess not everyone sees the way I see."
Maybe if you didn't get kicked out of your JKD class, you would know what's going on. You gotta learn to put your ego in check and try to learn; instead of thinking you know it all.
I have never been kicked out of a JKD class. I do not do JKD. I have never been kicked out of any class and I have been to many different ones. I do not know where you got that idea from. You must be confusing me with someone else.
I think your post shows you understand what i am basically saying and the other fellow seems completly lost, hopefully he'll have a better idea now.
LS said
"what would you coach someone to do? throw a pathetic jab or throw a perfect jab that wasn't detected, and rocked the lights of the opponents? it's all about shoring up the habit department. I've seen too many boxers neglect their fundamentals (at least the amateurs or supposed pros on TV). I've seen one boxing match where this guy with perfect punches, perfect use of footwork just destroy another opponent."
See you assume that because I would not teach set form that the punch is rubbish. This doctrine is the cause of bad boxing in my opinion. "Good form" does not garuntee hits. Good speed, timing, accuracy, judgment of distance, balance, these things garuntee the hit. How your hands move through the air as long as this criteria is met. Have you see Ali box? His hands don't move in the set piece way as the average fighter does but he still wins.
Again this good form thing is subjective. Have you ever wondered why there are so many different styles of punching? Its simply because someone found an angle a form of punching that worked for them, they then passed this on as THE way to punch. Today respective schools think that if you do not punch in said form it is an ineffective punch. The reality is that a punch occurs when the your fist connects with the target, the shape of the arm or path of the fist is irrelevent. BY ANY MEANS NECCESSARY. This to me is realistic martial arts.
Question everything, Know nothing.
This message has been edited by kjax on Jun 25, 2004 5:00 AM
Tell your brother to buy the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, by Bruce Lee (you should get a copy of it too). And work with him using that book as a template (like a college professor's notes).
Learning from someone who is not really ready to teach often means picking up a lot of bad habbits and a false sense of security. I'm not trying to pick on you; you may very well be ready and capable of teaching. However, I think everyone who wants to teach should ask himself: 1) am I qualified to be an instructor; and 2) what are my motivations. I've know some people whose motivation to teach was to have an audience to impress. I don't think that is a good reason. If you are confident that you can accurately teach martial arts (sharing is one thing but teaching carries the connotations of a certain degree of authority) and have good motives, I share with your friend the basics with the caveat that you yourself don't have the final word.
Once again, I'm not trying to pick on you. I don't even know you. I'm just playing Devil's advocate and trying to offer a mirror for reflection.
JKDLITE, I understand the point youre getting across and I'm not offended in anyway. I'm not claiming to be a Sage Commander or any type of martial arts master. I would just like to pass on some knowledge to my brother. Maybe he will become very interested in learning and he could go out and find a qualified instructor. I don't know as much as a certifide JKD teacher, but I feel I know some of the basic princables. I can't teach any of the trapping or spinning kicks, because I never thought it was nessecary and I couldnt pull them off in sparring. The footwork and punches alone are enough to last him for awhile, and perfect them.
